Therapy Team Manager

Salary Range – £55,000 – £65,000 p/a – (salary is dependent on qualifications & experience)

Full Time Position – 37.5 hours per week.  This is a permanent position based across our Therapeutic Community in East Kent – Head Office – Dover

Channels & Choices is a centre of excellence in therapeutic childcare.  Our community, based in East Kent, is made up of 7 therapeutic residential children’s homes, a school, and a therapeutic fostering service.  As a member of our community, you would play a key part in transforming children’s lives and helping them reach their full potential.  Your role would involve working across all aspects of the community, with a specific focus in working alongside and supporting foster carers.

Due a recent restructure within our Therapy Department we currently have an exciting opportunity for an experienced, innovative, and enthusiastic Team Manager to join our Therapy Team.  We are looking for a candidate who has managerial experience of working within a CAMHS or Mental Health Service, preferably with a background within a Children and Families setting who can demonstrate managing a diverse therapy team.

You will have direct responsibility for the therapy team which includes Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Systemic Practitioners, and other therapy disciplines, working across our therapeutic community compromising of Residential, Education and Fostering Care Services.

You will have a proven managerial experience, take responsibility for meeting growth targets, ensuring the appropriate protocols and governance are followed, and that the team maintains a high standard of therapeutic childcare and support.

Reporting to the Directors, a member of the Senior Management Team, you will also support the wider teams through the coordination of direct work with children and adults as well as group work.

This is an excellent opportunity for a highly motivated and skilled leader to make a real difference to the children we care for.

We have a strong commitment to staff development and there will be considerable opportunities for internal and external training and for sharing good practice within the community.

Job Description

• Lead & Co-ordinate the therapy services operation through the effective and progressive management of a multi-disciplinary team, who collectively provide therapy services to the different departments of our Residential, Fostering and Education departments.
• Contribute to the growth of the business by actively promoting C&C’s therapy services.
• Assess, plan, deliver and review the therapy plans for children within the organisation.
• Identify, recommend, and implement policies, processes and systems designed to improve and enhance the effectiveness, efficacy, and professionalism of the therapy services function.
• Manages the development, implementation, and review of the therapy services, ensuring the cost-effective provision of facilities, the effective development of staff and the appropriate use of the therapeutic interventions across all departments in conjunction with the other Head of Departments.
• To develop and manage training and workshops to support foster carers, residential teams, and school staff
• Provide regular supervision and line management to other therapists in the team
• Oversee, contribute, evaluate and quality control reports and reviews of therapeutic work for internal and external colleagues.
• Make effective use of supervision, support, training, and guidance.
• Ensure that the therapeutic interventions give due regard and consideration to issues of racial, religious, cultural, and sexual orientation
• To be part of regular discussions and reviews of children’s care and support with other members of the community
• Maintain an up-to-date knowledge of the latest research and theories alongside relevant legislation and safeguarding policies and procedures

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential) 

• Social Work Qualification or Equivalent professional qualification, such as Level 5 Diploma in Leadership & Management in Children’s Services/Mental Health Services
• Registration with Professional Body if relevant to qualification

Qualifications (Desirable) 

• Qualification in a therapeutic discipline

Experience (Essential) 

• Working at a supervisory or managerial level in a leadership team
• Experience of line management and supervision of staff

Experience (Desirable)

• Manager in Mental Health setting
• Working with children who are in the care system, their families and/or foster carers
• Experience of working with foster carers

Skills & Abilities (Essential)

• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills in order to communicate effectively with other managers, staff, carers and children
• Ability to work effectively on own initiative as well as within a team
• Computer literate for report and assessment writing as and when required
• Ability to effectively use supervision effectively
• Ability to make decisions

Skills & Abilities (Desirable)

• Ability to develop or facilitate training courses

Knowledge (Essential)

• Good understanding of child development and attachment theory
• Knowledge of therapeutic disciplines and their functions
• Understanding of Child Protection & Safeguarding
• Knowledge of the mental health needs of children and adolescents

Personal Qualities (Essential)

• Commitment to continued professional and personal development
• Passionate about providing high quality care and continuous improvement
• Professional credibility
• Commitment to equal opportunities and valuing diversity
• Ability to work under pressure and manage time effectively

Additional (Essential)

• Driver with use of own car

We have a strong commitment to staff development and there will be considerable opportunities for internal and external training and for sharing good practice within the community.

Channels and Choices are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the young people in our care.  Staff are all required to adhere to the organisation’s Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.  This post will be subject to a clear Enhanced DBS Disclosure, an employment background check, satisfactory references & verification of a right to work in the UK.  As part of our commitment to Safer Recruitment, CV’s cannot be considered without a completed application form.