Job overview
The Hammersmith and Fulham Psychotherapy Service is situated in Claybrook Centre, an outpatient community psychiatry building that is located close to the inpatient mental health unit.
The department has an ethos of integrating psychotherapy treatment with psychiatry care. It provides individual, group psychotherapy and systemic family therapy to adult patients with complex needs.
The post holder joins an experienced team comprising of a Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy, a part time Principal Adult Psychotherapist, a part-time Principal Psychotherapist in Group Psychotherapy and two part-time Highly Specialist Adult Psychotherapists.
The successful applicant will have the opportunity to offer assessment and treatment to families referred by primary care and by general psychiatry. This is an unusual opportunity to gain experience in treating N.H.S. patients with complex difficulties, within the containment of cohesive team support and a close working alliance with Consultant Psychiatrists and multi-disciplinary care co-ordinators. The successful candidate will also be providing consultation to the community psychiatry MINT teams and Early Intervention Service.
The post holder might contribute to the MINT team’s weekly Network Meeting which brings together locality G.P.s, I.A.P.T. and secondary care psychiatry clinicians for case discussion and complex case management.
Main duties of the job
1. There are opportunities for further development in reflective practice, supervision, teaching and audit according to the post holder’s interests.
It is essential that the post holder is able to work at the Department on Thursday as this is the day of the department team meeting.
Applicants should be accredited with the AFT or possess an equivalent qualification with another recognised body for e.g. UKCP.
2. To formulate and implement plans for the formal treatment and/or management of mental health difficulties experienced by adults and their families referred to the Psychotherapy Service, in line with research findings and evidence-based practice.
3. To discern when it is appropriate to refer to and/or consult with the Consultant Psychiatrist in Psychotherapy holding medical responsibility, and/or other colleagues as appropriate, and work effectively with said colleagues.
4. To discern when it is appropriate to refer to and/or consult with other agencies such as CAMHS and Social Services.
5. To provide specialist systemic advice, guidance and consultation to other professionals within or external to the Psychotherapy Service engaged in the assessment and treatment of adult patients and their families. This will include working with professional networks involved with complex cases such of those involving child protection and self-harm.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
6. Registration as a systemic therapist with the UKCP or equivalent body.
Desirable criteria
7. Previous qualification in a relevant profession such as social work, nursing, teaching or psychology.
Experience
Essential criteria
8. Experience of systemic family therapy with families in a mental health or social services setting.
Desirable criteria
9. Experience of conducting research and audit.
10. Experience of teaching and consultation and/or supervision.
11. Experience of other methods of work, e.g. groupwork.
12. Experience of management
Skills, Knowledge and Abilities
Essential criteria
13. Ability to work with families with complex problems. Knowledge of the role and functions of other agencies and departments.
14. Ability to work co-operatively within the multi-disciplinary team.
15. Sound knowledge of child protection issues.
16. Sound understanding of issues relating to severe mental health problems and their impact on families.
Attitudes, aptitudes and personal skills
Essential criteria
17. Willingness and ability to work in co-operation with others.
18. Ability to adhere to and promote equal opportunities in the development of the service.
19. Good written and verbal communication skills.