About Barnet Council
Barnet Council is seeking an experienced and passionate Senior Clinical Practitioner to join our Onwards & Upwards (O&U) service, working with care‑experienced young people and care leavers as they transition into adulthood. This is a unique opportunity to play a strategic and hands‑on clinical role, embedding trauma‑informed and mentalisation‑based practice across Children’s Social Care, Mental Health Services and Adult Social Care. The role has a primary focus on the mental health needs of young people aged 16–25, including care leavers and unaccompanied asylum‑seeking young people (UASC), particularly those who are unlikely to meet Adult Mental Health thresholds or are disengaged from CAMHS. You will be based within our Onwards and Upwards Office, working closely with Social Workers, Personal Advisors and partner agencies to promote emotional wellbeing, stability and improved long‑term outcomes.
About the role
This is a 12‑month fixed‑term contract. The salary will include an additional 10% Recruitment and Retention bonus.
Responsibilities
* Embed Barnet’s mentalisation approach and the Anna Freud “Building Bridges” framework within the Onwards & Upwards service, strengthening multi‑agency relationships and promoting reflective, psychologically‑informed practice.
* Provide specialist clinical oversight to staff involved in transition planning for children in care and care‑experienced adults.
* Offer mental health consultations to Social Workers and Personal Advisors, supporting early identification of emerging mental health needs.
* Facilitate reflective team supervision, clinical consultations and risk formulation, building staff confidence and resilience when working with complexity.
* Coordinate and support appropriate referrals to mental health and community services.
* Provide specialist clinical input into Barnet’s Joint Transitions Tracking Panel.
* Hold a small clinical caseload in discussion with the Assistant Head of Service, ensuring direct clinical insight informs wider service practice.
About you
* A strong grounding in trauma‑informed, mentalisation‑based and systemic practice.
* Experience working with care‑experienced adolescents, care leavers or young adults with complex mental health needs.
* Confidence providing clinical consultation, supervision and advice within multi‑disciplinary environments.
* A collaborative approach and ability to work effectively across Children’s Services, Mental Health and Adult Social Care.
* A commitment to improving outcomes for vulnerable young people as they transition into adulthood.
What we offer
* 31 days annual leave, plus public and bank holidays.
* Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.
* Work‑life balance options may include hybrid working, flexitime, job share, home working, part‑time.
* A vast range of lifestyle discounts from major retailers, supermarkets, energy suppliers and more.
* Broad range of payroll benefits including cycle‑to‑work, eye‑care vouchers, travel and gym membership.
* Excellent training and development opportunities.
* Employee well‑being training programs including confidential employee assistance.
Equal Opportunity & Diversity
Barnet Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Barnet operates stringent safer recruitment procedures. We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Barnet Council embraces all forms of flexible working and is committed to offering employees a healthy work‑life balance. Barnet Council is a Disability Confident Committed Employer.
Probation
All posts with the council are subject to a probationary period of six months, during which time you will be required to demonstrate to the council satisfaction your suitability for the position in which you will be employed.
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