Associate Therapists - Adoption Support and Trauma Service

Harrogate, North yorkshire, United Kingdom

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join Oakdale’s Adoption Support and Trauma Service as an Associate Therapist.  

We welcome applications for those looking for associate work in Harrogate, Horsforth and/or Harrogate, 

About Us

Oakdale was established over twenty five years ago and is highly regarded as a professional psychological therapy provider. Our vision is to work together to transform lives. Oakdale’s mission is to provide wider, quicker access to high quality therapeutic interventions and assessments across the age range; removing barriers and advocating for people; empowering them to thrive and sustain long term benefits from effectively managing their mental health and wellbeing. Much of Oakdale’s work is in the field of trauma and attachment difficulties and also in the field of neurodiversity, including neurodevelopmental assessments and support. Oakdale has clinical centres in Harrogate, Leeds and Halifax as well as delivering services from other consulting rooms in the North of England and remotely on a nationwide basis. Supporting the whole family system as well as the young person can positively impact relationships, future wellbeing and development. Oakdale recognises each child as an individual. Our comprehensive assessment and treatment programmes are designed to meet the particular requirements of each young person and their family.

Many of our services are commissioned by the NHS and Local Authorities. Oakdale also has private clients and a charitable arm. We strive every day to be true to our values of effectiveness, inclusivity, flexibility, principled, innovation, collaboration and knowledge. Oakdale’s multidisciplinary teams consistently receive excellent feedback from clients and commissioners and we strive to ensure that both our clients and our colleagues are at the heart of all that we do.

About the Adoption Support, Attachment and Trauma Service at Oakdale

This service is a specialist provision for assessing and treating attachment difficulties, trauma and under-developed sensorimotor systems.  These are often associated with children who are adopted, fostered, under a Special Guardianship Order or the care of the local authority. The service also has a specialist psychology led team providing autism, ADHD and cognitive assessments.   Over the last ten years, Oakdale has developed a strong and committed team and is an accredited provider of adoption support services for Local Authorities throughout Yorkshire and the Humber. These services are funded by the Adoption and Special Guardianship Support Fund (ASGSF) and we also receive private referrals and clients referred by colleagues in health and social care.  The service works closely with professional colleagues to ensure that our clients receive a comprehensive, joined up service.  We see the profound impact early experiences of trauma, neglect, loss and disrupted attachments can have on the developing child’s wellbeing, their family life and social relationships, as well as their ability to self-regulate. Difficulties during key developmental stages sometimes lead to young people distrusting and rejecting adults, who in turn may find themselves overwhelmed, exhausted and struggling with being the parents they would like to be. Supporting the whole family system as well as the young person can positively impact relationships, future wellbeing and development. Oakdale recognises each child as an individual. Our comprehensive assessment and treatment programmes are designed to meet the particular requirements of each young person and their family.

Our personalised packages of care address:

• The impact of trauma

• Attachment issues

• Education related problems

• Behavioural difficulties

• Health, cognitive or developmental concerns, including neurodiversity

• Building Underdeveloped Sensorimotor Systems

The successful candidates would: 

• Work as an associate alongside other Clinical and Assistant Psychologists, Child Psychotherapists, Family Therapists, Creative Therapists and Play Therapists.

• Receive a full induction to the service and be offered regular ongoing CPD opportunities. 

You would:

• Maintain a caseload of therapeutic work with adopted, fostered and other young people who have been impacted by attachment difficulties and/or trauma (including developmental trauma), working with them, their  parents/carers and the wider professional network. 

• Receive regular case management. 

• Keep up to date clinical records and write assessment and discharge reports.

• Engage in risk/safeguarding monitoring and reporting, and outcomes assessment. 

Person Specification: 

Essential:

• A core therapeutic qualification. We welcome applicants from a wide range of clinical backgrounds including psychologists, psychotherapists, creative therapists.   

• Registration with HCPC, UKCP or equivalent governing body

• Excellent organisational, written and verbal communication skills

Desirable: 

• Post qualification experience of working with families with complex trauma and young people whose presentations may include risk and complexity

• Experience of working with young people with neurodiversity.

Vision and Values 

We are looking for associates practitioners who would: 

• Be aligned to Oakdale’s values

• Be looking for an opportunity to work collaboratively with other practitioners. 

• Demonstrate resilience and a natural ability to be thoughtful and reflective.

• Be familiar with trauma and attachment informed practice.

• Demonstrate trustworthiness and sound clinical judgement.

Applying for the role:

Submit your application via Oakdale's website or on Indeed or LinkedIn.

If you are interested in this role and would like to discuss it with the Head of Service, Dr Jude Johnston, please do contact her on: jude.johnston@oakdalecentre.org