Job summary
We are looking to recruit highly motivated, innovative and enthusiastic Assistant Practitioners to join our Healthcare Service at Oasis Restore Secure School (ORSS).
ORSS is the first Secure School in the UK and will hold 12-18 year old children. All staff work in line with 'Child First' principles to create a developmentally appropriate and trauma informed healthcare service.By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to be involved in developing a new service that will have a real impact on promoting health and well-being for this vulnerable population and impact on their future life orientation.
The post holder will fully embrace the Oasis Framework model ensuring fully integrated working with the ORSS staff including participating in and co-delivering training, attending team Reflective Practice as a key part of the role, facilitating a therapeutic culture and enrichment activities in the flats including Community Meetings, contributing to Formulations and, where appropriate, providing supervision to ORSS staff.
The post holder can be from a range of disciplines, including psychology, art therapy, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, family therapy or other therapeutic approaches. Professional supervision will be provided on the basis of discipline/qualifications.
Interviews will be held on Wednesday 8th April 2026
Main duties of the job
The post-holder, alongside colleagues in the Health and Wellbeing Team, will be responsible for helping ORSS staff work in a trauma informed way and should therefore embody the core principles of reflectiveness and trauma-informed practice, in their daily activities. The post holder will be accessible and visible to the children by being present during lunch periods, in community meetings, at assemblies and within the allocated flats.
About us
Oasis Restore is the first UK secure school enabling young people to live their best lives, through education well-being and hope. We care for children aged 12-18 who are on remand and sentenced to custody by the courts. Oasis Restore represents a revolution in youth justice: an opportunity for children within the criminal justice system to experience a restorative environment that creates the potential for them to thrive both now and for the future. Our healthcare team will build and model healthy and trusting relationships with children that enable them to feel safe, learn and reach their full potential.
Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is a Top Employer Award Winner. We have a Health and Justice Services Directorate, within which sits the 'Children and Young People' Service line working in partnership with 'Youth Custody Service' colleagues to provide responsive, trauma-informed primary care, mental health, neuro-developmental and substance misuse services to the young people and young adults within our care.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job responsibilities
Please see attached JD&PS for full details of duties and responsibilities.
To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within the ORSS, working with children to address their emotional and wellbeing needs.
To be an integral part of the delivery of the Oasis Restore framework at ORSS, with responsibility for its implementation within allocated flats, in partnership with house practitioner.
To facilitate and complete liaison work with families, ORSS staff and community services, in order to provide an integrative and effective Health and Emotional Wellbeing offer.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential
- Either minimum NVQ level 3 supplemented by additional training equivalent to diploma level or ability to demonstrate significant relevant prior experience and on the job training working in a therapeutic environment equivalent to diploma level.
Desirable
- Honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, or other subject relevant to professional discipline.
- Training in delivering brief therapeutic interventions
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, Occupational therapy, speech, language & communication therapy or mental health practice
Experience Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health or neuro-developmental difficulty
- Demonstrates high standards in written communication
Desirable
- Experience of working with young people
Skills/ Knowledge and Responsibilities Essential
- Computer literate
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
Desirable
- Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding 'being in secure setting' and the impact it can have on mental and physical health
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job responsibilities
Please see attached JD&PS for full details of duties and responsibilities.
To work as a member of the multi-disciplinary team within the ORSS, working with children to address their emotional and wellbeing needs.
To be an integral part of the delivery of the Oasis Restore framework at ORSS, with responsibility for its implementation within allocated flats, in partnership with house practitioner.
To facilitate and complete liaison work with families, ORSS staff and community services, in order to provide an integrative and effective Health and Emotional Wellbeing offer.
Person Specification Qualifications Essential
- Either minimum NVQ level 3 supplemented by additional training equivalent to diploma level or ability to demonstrate significant relevant prior experience and on the job training working in a therapeutic environment equivalent to diploma level.
Desirable
- Honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, or other subject relevant to professional discipline.
- Training in delivering brief therapeutic interventions
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, Occupational therapy, speech, language & communication therapy or mental health practice
Experience Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health or neuro-developmental difficulty
- Demonstrates high standards in written communication
Desirable
- Experience of working with young people
Skills/ Knowledge and Responsibilities Essential
- Computer literate
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
Desirable
- Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding 'being in secure setting' and the impact it can have on mental and physical health
Person Specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- A minimum NVQ Level 3 qualification, plus extra training up to diploma level, or Substantial relevant work experience with on-the-job training in a therapeutic setting, at a level equivalent to a diploma.
Desirable
- Honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, or other subject relevant to professional discipline.
- Training in delivering brief therapeutic interventions
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, Occupational therapy, speech, language & communication therapy or mental health practice
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health or neuro-developmental difficulty
- Ability to develop working relationships with both staff and clients.
- An ability to empathise with people with complex and varied needs and treat them with dignity and respect.
Desirable
- Experience of working in primary and or secondary care services
- Experience of working with young people in a secure environment
- Some knowledge of psychotherapeutic approaches and issues for working with young people
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential
- Excellent IT skills, verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Ability to communicate professionally under pressure, handling sensitive and potentially contentious information effectively, even in highly emotive situations and when facing resistance to ideas.
Desirable
- Knowledge of trauma informed care and how it relates to young people in prison.
- Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding 'being in prison' and the impact it can have on mental and physical health
Person Specification
EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS
Essential
- A minimum NVQ Level 3 qualification, plus extra training up to diploma level, or Substantial relevant work experience with on-the-job training in a therapeutic setting, at a level equivalent to a diploma.
Desirable
- Honours degree (or equivalent) in psychology, or other subject relevant to professional discipline.
- Training in delivering brief therapeutic interventions
- Further post-graduate training in relevant areas of professional psychology, Occupational therapy, speech, language & communication therapy or mental health practice
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health or neuro-developmental difficulty
- Ability to develop working relationships with both staff and clients.
- An ability to empathise with people with complex and varied needs and treat them with dignity and respect.
Desirable
- Experience of working in primary and or secondary care services
- Experience of working with young people in a secure environment
- Some knowledge of psychotherapeutic approaches and issues for working with young people
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, ABILITIES
Essential
- Excellent IT skills, verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Ability to communicate professionally under pressure, handling sensitive and potentially contentious information effectively, even in highly emotive situations and when facing resistance to ideas.
Desirable
- Knowledge of trauma informed care and how it relates to young people in prison.
- Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding 'being in prison' and the impact it can have on mental and physical health
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.
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).
Additional information
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.
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).
