Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of children and young people?
We’re looking for a compassionate and skilled Clinical Practitioner to join our team on a part-time basis.
In this role, you’ll provide high-quality therapeutic support, guidance, and advice; collaborate with multidisciplinary teams; and contribute to improving the safety, well-being, and placement stability of our children and young people. Whether you’re an experienced practitioner or returning to practice, this is a chance to make a meaningful impact while maintaining flexibility and continuing your professional development.
About us
Empower Fostering is a family-run fostering agency based in Taunton, Somerset, proudly founded by Foster Carers, for Foster Carers. Our vision is rooted in providing high-quality training, flexible and dedicated support, and a child- and carer-focused service delivered by experienced professionals.
We advocate passionately for our carers, children, and young people, placing their wellbeing and development are at the heart of everything we do. We place relationships at the heart of our practice and are committed to building a culture of trust, respect, and collaboration.
Empower Fostering is part of Empower Family Group, giving our carers and staff access to a wider network of resources and support that many other agencies cannot offer.
Main duties and responsibilities
You will be working as part of our much-valued multidisciplinary team working across our services to support Empower’s Fostering agency, Children’s homes, Supported living and Community Outreach services.
You will:
* Provide consultation and support to foster carers
* Providing clinical consultation, advice or guidance as required to social workers, managers and support workers
* Contribute to therapeutic care plans for children and young people
* Support the delivering of therapeutic training, such as attachment, therapeutic parenting, the impact of childhood trauma and other relevant topics
* Support the Registered Managers to develop further the culture of a trauma-informed approach, across all our Children's support services
* Keep up to date with, and disseminate information about, relevant developments in the field of research and policy in relation to the needs of vulnerable children and young people
Requirements
* Hold a relevant therapeutic or counselling qualification and membership of or eligibility to register with BACP or other similar body.
* Hold a full UK Driving Licence and have a vehicle and willingness to travel to foster families across the region
* Are willing to undertake an enhanced DBS
* Have experience in working therapeutically with children and families
* Have an understanding of complex developmental trauma and insecure attachment
* Ability and experience in writing therapeutically to complete reports
* Ability and experience in working within multi-disciplinary teams, particularly those who are holding and managing risk for and with children and young people
* An ability to be open minded, flexible and pragmatic with an interest in ‘what works, for these people, at this time’.
* A desire to learn, adapt, compromise and be creative and forward thinking to the needs of both children and foster carers
* Skills and confidence in delivering training
* A willingness to work flexibly to the needs of the services and the foster families
* Share a commitment to Equal Opportunities in all work practices and to improving the lives of Looked After Children
Benefits
* Ongoing training and development opportunities, including a fully funded Level 4 Diploma in Children, Young People, and Families Practitioner.
* Supportive and inclusive team environment.
* Opportunities for career progression.
* Paid induction and regular supervision.
* Access to Employee Assistance Programme.
* Staff Discount site.
* Pension scheme.