About this role
Job summary
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An Exciting New Opportunity to Shape Therapeutic Practice in Adoption
Adoption West is now in a position to develop a Multidisciplinary Team which will include clinical psychologists and therapeutic social workers. The team will enhance the therapeutic support offered to adopted child and their families in the region. We are excited to offer an opportunity increase the Clinical Psychology to time that is already available in the agency and be part of the newly developing teams. Multidisciplinary teams are part of a national initiative to improve and extend the scope adoption support services, funded for 18 months there is strong ambition at national and local level to extend and embed the role as a permanent part of our service. This is a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact on childrens lives by implanting early and timely trauma-informed approaches and enhancing support for adoptive families.
Were looking for a passionate and experienced Clinical Psychologist who thrives on collaboration, creativity, and making a difference. We welcome your expertise in helping us build a more responsive and effective service.
Main duties of the job
Key Responsibilities:
Deliver specialist, evidence-based interventions for children and adoptive parents, both pre- and post-adoption order, using innovative and engaging approaches. Facilitate joint consultations with Adoption West staff and other professionals to strengthen trauma-informed practice. Lead the progression of complex cases, ensuring timely intervention, resolution, and appropriate closure or transfer. Interpret and integrate complex clinical information from multiple sources to develop clear, effective treatment plans. Represent Adoption West professionally in multi-agency settings and with families. Support the integration of user participation, outcome measures, and evidence-based approaches aligned with service improvement goals. Contribute to the development of staff knowledge and skills across Adoption West. Design and facilitate parenting programmes, training seminars, and structured support groups. Provide specialist advice to help professionals better understand the diverse experiences of adopted children and young people.What Were Looking For:
HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (or equivalent) Experience working with children and families affected by trauma Strong understanding of adoption and permanency issues Excellent communication, consultation, and collaborative working skills Commitment to innovation, service development, and positive outcomes
About us
Why Join Us?
Adoption West is a Regional Adoption Agency for, BANES Council, Bristol City Council, Gloucestershire County Council, North Somerset Council, Sth Glos Council and Wiltshire Council. Funded by Adoption England.
This role offers a rare chance to shape therapeutic practice within a Regional Adoption Agency and contribute to meaningful change for children and families. Youll be part of a supportive, forward-thinking team committed to continuous learning and improvement.
As well as being part of the Adoption West team, appropriate clinical supervision will be provided.
Job description Job responsibilities
The overall responsibilities of the service/function are:
Adoption West is a Regional Adoption Agency responsible for the effective delivery and development of adoption work across the Region on behalf of Bath & Northeast Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Councils. Service delivery will be in accordance with National Standards and Regulations and for making operational the adoption agencys support strategies. Service operations are regionally managed with staff bases in three office hubs across the region in Bristol, Gloucester and Trowbridge.
Adoption West aims to improve performance in meeting the needs of adopted children and their families particularly;
In developing and promoting a consistent core support offer across the region.
In improving the experience for adopters in accessing post adoption support services.
Job purpose:
To work with colleagues across the Adoption Agency and other stakeholders including adopters to develop and provide an excellent adoption support service for the Regional Adoption Agency.
To provide a child-centred, outcome-focused, adoption support service.
To provide specialist advice to colleagues where therapeutic input is needed for children who have been adopted.
Main duties and responsibilities include:
To provide specialist evidence-based intervention for children and adoptive parents both pre- and post-adoption order, drawing on innovative ways of engagement and intervention.
To facilitate joint consultations with Adoption West staff and other professionals to enhance their trauma informed practice with children and adopters
To manage the progression of complex cases within the parameters of agreed policies, procedures, and framework for delivering support, including timely intervention, resolution and case closure or transfer.
Interpret and integrate complex and sometimes conflicting clinical information drawn upon from a variety of sources involved in the childs care (professionals, children, families). using this information to create an understanding of the presenting difficulties and a clear intervention plan.
Represent the RAA in a professional and competent manner, especially when making representations, with families, or with other agencies.
To assist in the integration and development of user participation, outcomes measures, and evidence-based treatment approaches in line with the wider strategy for service improvement
To contribute to the development of the knowledge and skills of the Adoption West service
To contribute to design facilitation of parenting, training programmes/seminars and structured support groups
To provide specialist knowledge and advice to the service and other multi-agency professionals that helps them better understand the diverse experiences the children and young people have that we work with and support.
To ensure that safeguarding, service and human resources policies and procedures are adhered to.
Maintain up to date records and data on adoption support services provided and to provide regular management information reports to the Service Director to assist in Adoption Wests reporting responsibilities to both national and local stakeholders.
To attend and participate in whole service, team meetings, peer supervision sessions and professional training events as required by the line manager.
To develop skills in the area of professional, training, consultation and maintain, through active participation in internal and external CPD training and development programmes, in consultation with the postholders line manager
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) Registration with Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
Desirable
Qualifications in therapeutic models and theories (and the application of these) relevant to children, adolescents, and families such as: dyadic developmental psychotherapy (DDP) systemic theory, cognitive behavioural approaches (CBT, CFT, CAT etc)
Experience Essential
Knowledge of legislation /regulations relating to adoption services. Commitment to continuous professional development Experience working with children, adolescents, and families in a clinical or therapeutic setting. Experience of providing therapeutic interventions with parents, children, and families, in particular those who have experienced developmental trauma and loss. Experience in working in different modalities including individual work, parent work, family work and group work. Experience in working with children with neurodevelopmental presentations and their families. Experience of working jointly with key partners in the statutory, private, and voluntary sectors. Excellent knowledge and understanding of psychological models and theories relating to child development including developmental trauma, loss, attachment disruption and neurodevelopmental issues such as ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, learning disabilities and foetal alcohol syndrome. Knowledge of the importance of the child and familys diverse cultures, faiths, abilities, identities, and experiences in helping to understand the situation from their perspective to inform the best practice approach and support for the child and family. Knowledge of confidentiality and GDPR legislation. Knowledge of safeguarding and mental health risks and an awareness of the importance to refer/alert relevant agencies. Knowledge of implementing treatment plans based on relevant psychological theory for the formal psychological treatment of adopted children who have experienced developmental trauma, disrupted attachments, and may also have neurodevelopmental presentations. Excellent organizational skills, and the ability to prioritize work. Ability to record case progression and to produce reports of a high quality.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Wiltshire Council
Address County Hall
Bythesea Rd
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
Employer's website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)