Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Family and Systemic Psychotherapist

The closing date is 06 April 2026

Job summary

Are you a qualified (or about to) Family and Systemic Psychotherapist who holds a "core profession" such a Nurse, OT or Social Worker who isseeking a varied role in a supportive, collaborative team?

We are looking for a Band 7 psychotherapist to join our SCT team covering Reading, Wokingham, and Newbury. Your main base will be ErleghHouse, in the beautiful grounds of the University of Reading.

The Specialist Community Teams provide assessments, therapeutic interventions, and care coordination for children and young people with moderate to severe complex mental health difficulties.

You will workwith acomplex,diverseandvaried caseload across social, cultural, and individual differences, and your role will include:

  • Deliveringassessments,interventionsand care

  • Offeringindividual and family sessions and runningreflective clinics

  • Collaboratingwith schools, social care, and other agencies

  • Being involved inservice development

  • Receivingregular supervisionongoing learning opportunities

You might be a newly qualified therapist seeking excellent learning opportunities from senior therapists and psychologists, or an experienced practitioner looking for a flexiblerole in a compassionate service.

This role offers full flexibility in terms or working pattern and we are open to those looking for full or part time hours.

Our Trust is rated "Outstanding" by the CQC, recognised for its supportive culture where staff feel valued.

Main duties of the job

  • Provide comprehensive assessments and therapeutic interventionstoyoung people and their families, asappropriate.

  • Provide careco-ordinationfor young people open to theService.

  • Independently manage an appropriately sized caseload.

  • Use supervision effectively.

  • Offer supervision and training to junior colleagues and other agencies asappropriate.

  • Work with colleagues to support theclinical leadership of the team.

  • Work effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and within amultiagencysystem.

  • Work autonomously within professional guidelines and exercise responsibility for the systematic governance of psychological practice.

  • Contribute to audit, servicedevelopmentand research, asappropriate.

  • Maintainowncontinuing professional development and contribute to team professional development initiatives.

About us

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:

  • Caring for and about you is our top priority
  • Committed to providing good quality, safe services
  • Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

  • Flexible working options to support work-life balance
  • 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
  • Generous NHS pension scheme
  • Excellent learning and career development opportunities
  • 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
  • Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
  • Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
  • Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
  • Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
  • Free parking across Trust sites

Details

Date posted

16 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum, pro rata (Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-TAP-CFS538

Job locations

Erlegh House

Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Themust haves for this role:

  • A qualified or about to qualify Family and Systemic psychotherapistaccredited by UKCP

  • A core professionas per the job specification

  • Experience inchildren, youngpeopleand familiesMental Health services (this could includeplacements)

  • AUK driving licence and access to a vehicle,or the equivalent ability toreach rurallocationseffectively.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet thecriteria in theperson specificationand write about thispoint-by-pointin your supporting statementfor the best chance of being shortlisted.

Werecommitted to equal opportunitiesand welcomeapplications fromall sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected inour accreditations:Race Equality MattersSilver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Pleasedonthesitate to call:ChristinaSubrai, TeamManageron07815485190or email:christina.subrai@berkshire.nhs.ukwhollbe delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so pleasesubmityour application as soon as possible.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Themust haves for this role:

  • A qualified or about to qualify Family and Systemic psychotherapistaccredited by UKCP

  • A core professionas per the job specification

  • Experience inchildren, youngpeopleand familiesMental Health services (this could includeplacements)

  • AUK driving licence and access to a vehicle,or the equivalent ability toreach rurallocationseffectively.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet thecriteria in theperson specificationand write about thispoint-by-pointin your supporting statementfor the best chance of being shortlisted.

Werecommitted to equal opportunitiesand welcomeapplications fromall sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected inour accreditations:Race Equality MattersSilver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award.Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Pleasedonthesitate to call:ChristinaSubrai, TeamManageron07815485190or email:christina.subrai@berkshire.nhs.ukwhollbe delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so pleasesubmityour application as soon as possible.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Graduate qualification in relevant mental health or social care related discipline or equivalent, e.g. Practitioner Psychologist registered with HCPC, Registered Mental Health Nurse (NMC), Occupational Therapist registered with HCPC, or Social Worker registered with HCPC
  • Postgraduate Masters in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy from a course that is accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT)
  • Accreditation with UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist

Desirable

  • Additional training and accreditations (or working towards these) in relevant therapeutic approaches or psychological models to reflect post qualification interests/ specialism (e.g., specific therapy models and accreditations, Health Psychology, Neuropsychology etc.)

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of training and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models or therapeutic approaches relevant to the post
  • Commitment to continuing professional development as recommended by the relevant accrediting body

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in evidence-based ways with service users (and their carers/families) presenting with a full range of clinical severity across the range of settings, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
  • Experience of dealing with highly distressing or emotional circumstances, such as serious mental illness, child and sexual abuse, exploitation, and complex family dynamics
  • Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and multi-agency environment
  • Experience of service development and carrying out clinical audits, evaluative research and applying the findings
  • Experience of working with, and addressing, issues of diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access to the service

Desirable

  • Experience of delivering teaching and training to staff
  • Experience of providing clinical supervision, mentoring and structured guidance to other staff

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of assessment, formulation and intervention, relevant to the specialist modality and service area
  • Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and how to undertake these activities in an NHS context, including how to implement learning
  • Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, complex, technical and/or sensitive information to service users, their carers/families and other professional colleagues, both within and outside of an NHS setting
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to support, influence and engage with clinicians, stakeholders and service users to create change and improvement
  • The ability and skills to act as an advocate for the service, to engage and foster positive relationships with all health professionals in promoting the good integration of the service within the wider health care system
  • Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS Office/Teams, One Consultation and the Internet)

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required
  • Ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position
Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

  • Graduate qualification in relevant mental health or social care related discipline or equivalent, e.g. Practitioner Psychologist registered with HCPC, Registered Mental Health Nurse (NMC), Occupational Therapist registered with HCPC, or Social Worker registered with HCPC
  • Postgraduate Masters in Family and Systemic Psychotherapy from a course that is accredited by the Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice (AFT)
  • Accreditation with UK Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) as a Family and Systemic Psychotherapist

Desirable

  • Additional training and accreditations (or working towards these) in relevant therapeutic approaches or psychological models to reflect post qualification interests/ specialism (e.g., specific therapy models and accreditations, Health Psychology, Neuropsychology etc.)

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

  • Evidence of training and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models or therapeutic approaches relevant to the post
  • Commitment to continuing professional development as recommended by the relevant accrediting body

Previous Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working in evidence-based ways with service users (and their carers/families) presenting with a full range of clinical severity across the range of settings, maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
  • Experience of dealing with highly distressing or emotional circumstances, such as serious mental illness, child and sexual abuse, exploitation, and complex family dynamics
  • Experience of working effectively in a multi-disciplinary team and multi-agency environment
  • Experience of service development and carrying out clinical audits, evaluative research and applying the findings
  • Experience of working with, and addressing, issues of diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access to the service

Desirable

  • Experience of delivering teaching and training to staff
  • Experience of providing clinical supervision, mentoring and structured guidance to other staff

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

  • Demonstrable knowledge, skills and abilities in the practice of assessment, formulation and intervention, relevant to the specialist modality and service area
  • Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and how to undertake these activities in an NHS context, including how to implement learning
  • Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, complex, technical and/or sensitive information to service users, their carers/families and other professional colleagues, both within and outside of an NHS setting
  • Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to support, influence and engage with clinicians, stakeholders and service users to create change and improvement
  • The ability and skills to act as an advocate for the service, to engage and foster positive relationships with all health professionals in promoting the good integration of the service within the wider health care system
  • Advanced IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS Office/Teams, One Consultation and the Internet)

Additional Requirements

Essential

  • Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required
  • Ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position

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).

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.

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

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Erlegh House

Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Erlegh House

Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Talent Acquisition

Jamie Poole

jamie.poole@berkshire.nhs.uk

Details

Date posted

16 March 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 7

Salary

£50,008 to £56,908 a year per annum, pro rata (Incl of HCAS)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-time

Reference number

371-TAP-CFS538

Job locations

Erlegh House

Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road

Reading

RG6 6BZ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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