About this role
Job summary
Are you passionate about making a real difference to deaf children and young people and their families?
We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Family Therapist to join our specialist National Deaf CAMHS (South West) service. This is a unique opportunity to work within a bicultural, bilingual multidisciplinary team, providing high-quality, psychologically informed care to deaf young people with complex mental health and neurodevelopmental needs.
You'll be part of a collaborative, psychology-led service where language, identity and culture are central to care, working closely with colleagues across psychology, psychiatry, social work and education.
This is a part-time role (22.5 hours per week), with flexibility available across working days to support work--life balance.
Whether you are an experienced Band 8a Family Therapist or a Band 7 clinician looking to develop, we offer strong supervision, national links, and excellent opportunities for professional development, research and service innovation.
Main duties of the job
Deliver specialist systemic family therapy assessments, formulations and interventions for deaf children, young people and their familiesManage a varied clinical caseload, acting as keyworker where appropriateWork collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team, contributing to joint assessments and care planningProvide consultation, advice and training to professionals across health, education and social careUndertake risk assessments and contribute to safeguarding and care planningSupport and contribute to service development, audit, research and innovationProvide clinical supervision and support to junior staff and trainees (dependent on experience)Communicate complex and sensitive information effectively, including through interpreters where requiredMaintain accurate clinical records and produce clear, high-quality reports
About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:
Flexible working options to help you balance work and lifeNHS pension scheme for long-term financial securityGenerous annual leave allowance to recharge and relaxA strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potentialAdditionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.
We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.
Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.
The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.
Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.
Job description Job responsibilities
As a Family Therapist, you will play a vital role in delivering specialist, person-centred care to deaf children and young people with complex mental health needs.
You will provide systemic family therapy interventions informed by evidence-based approaches, taking into account the developmental, relational and cultural contexts that shape a young person's experiences. This includes working with families facing a wide range of challenges, including trauma, neurodevelopmental needs and high-risk presentations.
Working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team, you will be responsible for the assessment, formulation and delivery of therapeutic interventions, alongside contributing to wider care planning and clinical decision-making. You will work in partnership with schools, social care, local CAMHS teams and third-sector organisations to ensure coordinated and effective support.
A key aspect of the role is acting as a specialist resource, offering consultation, training and psychological insight to other professionals and services. You will also contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the service, including involvement in evaluation, audit and innovation.
You will work closely with interpreters and will be supported to develop the skills needed to work effectively in a bilingual environment. Experience of British Sign Language is not required, as training will be provided.
The role includes a mix of community-based work, home visits, school-based interventions and remote working, with flexibility to support a healthy work--life balance. You will manage your own workload and diary, ensuring that care is prioritised based on clinical need and delivered to a high standard.
You will receive regular supervision, peer support and opportunities for continued professional development, while being part of a supportive team committed to improving outcomes for deaf children and young people.
This role also includes responsibilities for:
Safeguarding and risk managementMaintaining professional standards and working within relevant legislation and guidancePromoting equality, inclusion and culturally responsive practiceSupporting team development, wellbeing and a positive working culture
Person Specification
Qualifications Essential
Certificate in Systemic Family Psychotherapy or MSc or Doctorate in Systemic Family Psychotherapy or equivalent AND a professional qualification in one of the following: Social work eg DipSW, Nursing eg CPN, Clinical Psychology, Art Psychotherapy, Occupational Therapy or other related profession
Desirable
Other related academic qualifications or trainingKnowledge or experience in working with deaf young people and their familiesClinical Supervision training
Experience Essential
Extensive experience working with children, young people and families presenting with complex mental health needs across a range of clinical severitiesDemonstrable experience in CAMHS settings, including managing high-risk presentations such as self-harm, suicidality and harm to othersStrong understanding of developmental and systemic models of psychological distress, with experience applying these in family-based interventionsExperience working across multi-disciplinary and multi-agency environments, building effective professional relationshipsExperience in producing high-quality clinical reports, with some involvement in audit, research or data collection
Desirable
Experience of supporting junior qualified and non-qualified staff members.Experience and understanding of Safeguarding Children and other relevant legislation and policies.Clinical practice in either inpatient or community settings.
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
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 Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
Address Foundation House
Wellsprings Road
Taunton
Somerset
TA2 7PQ
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)