Job Summary
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a well‑established Functional Family Therapy team in Suffolk. We are seeking an experienced professional (social work, mental health nursing, psychology) to join a team of 5 therapists. Functional Family Therapy is a licensed, evidence‑based programme with a strong track record of positive outcomes.
This is an outcomes‑based contract for children 8‑17 at risk of care entry (using a social impact bond structure), working to prevent children and young people entering care. A smaller cohort of young people who have entered care will also be served, with the service managing a return home using the FFT intervention.
Main Duties
* Provide home‑based family therapy sessions with young people aged 8‑17 and their families using the FFT intervention model.
* Carry a caseload of up to 7 families, delivering services in homes or community settings for 3‑5 months.
* Receive initial training from an FFT Consultant and weekly supervision from the FFT supervisor.
* Operate an outcomes‑focused approach, managing risk, child protection and interagency complexity.
* Work flexible hours, including out of hours, to meet families' availability.
* Communicate effectively with social care and partner agencies to achieve outcomes for families.
About Us
FPM is a not‑for‑profit social enterprise owned by its employees. We have expertise in evidence‑based programmes and anticipate future opportunities to develop and broaden our portfolio of services. FPM is committed to fostering inclusion and expanding the diversity of its workforce.
Person Specification
Essential Skills and Abilities
* Intervention and management requiring sustained concentration; strong analytical and judgement skills.
* Experience working in community and family settings, managing complex emotional relationships.
* Ability to work with high levels of family stress and maintain therapeutic focus.
* Apply a systematic theory and intervention model, with adherence and outcome measurement.
* Excellent communication orally and in writing.
* Respond to consultation and feedback proactively.
* Develop pragmatic, goal‑specific, measurable steps for young people and families.
* Manage competing demands; strong planning and organization for caseload management.
* Understand other professionals' theoretical perspectives.
* Employ clinical governance mechanisms and supervision for practice maintenance.
* Use technology as required.
* Provide consultation to other professional or non‑professional groups.
* Commit to high‑quality care and service provision.
* Present FFT progress and relational formulations in multidisciplinary settings.
* Reflect on cases and utilize supervision.
* Operate as a lone worker.
* Work therapeutically using interpreters.
* Engage with a racially and culturally diverse community.
Desirable
* Consultation skills with other professional and non‑professional groups.
Essential Experience
* Qualified professional with systemic training or clinical psychologist with systemic work.
* Post‑qualifying experience (social work, occupational health, nursing) with young people and families in a relevant setting.
* Work experience with young people and families, systemic assessment, formulation and intervention.
* Experience handling emotive, distressing situations, verbal or physical abuse.
* Experience in multidisciplinary teams.
* Risk assessment, risk management, safety planning.
Desirable Experience
* Community assessment and treatment experience.
* Experience working within a multicultural framework.
* Experience with varied therapeutic modalities.
* Self‑harm assessment and intervention with individuals and families.
Essential Qualifications
* Professional qualification in social work, occupational health or nursing.
* Or qualification as a systemic practitioner, family therapist or postgraduate psychotherapist.
* Or a masters level degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., forensic psychology, clinical psychology).
* Professional registration with a national body.
Knowledge and Understanding
* Knowledge of legislation impacting adolescents with conduct disorder and offending behaviour.
* Basic systemic principles and formulations.
* Child and young people's development.
* Up‑to‑date knowledge of relevant legislation, safeguarding and strategic frameworks.
* Equality Act 2022 and protected characteristics.
Desirable Knowledge
* Well‑developed knowledge of specialised psychological therapies in difficult‑to‑treat groups.
Other Essential Requirements
* Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; able to build professional networks.
* Calm, able to defuse difficult situations.
* Tolerate ambiguity and make decisions with incomplete information.
* Exercise appropriate self‑care and maintain fitness to practice.
* Good organisational skills.
* Motivated towards personal and professional development.
* Willingness to travel to family homes.
* Respect for privacy and dignity.
* Willingness to operate within a social impact bond and provide required data.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act Exceptions Order 1975; a Disclosure and Barring Service check will be required.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer Details
Family Psychology Mutual
West Suffolk Council
Western Way
Bury St. Edmunds
Suffolk
IP33 3YU
Contract and Compensation
Salary: £39,708 – £54,279 per year (depending on experience) plus 2.5 % retention bonus.
Contract: Fixed term, 1 year.
Working pattern: Full‑time, flexible working.
Location
West Suffolk Council, Western Way, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3YU.
Reference
B0056‑25‑0005
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