Job summary
Relational Approach to Working with Young People who Self-Harm (RELATE-YP) is an National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded feasibility randomised controlled trial, evaluating Cognitive Analytic Therapy as a treatment for young people (13-17) who self-harm. Self-harm is a significant clinical concern given the association with distress, and subsequent risk of emotional difficulties and suicide. Self-harm often has its onset in adolescence and is very prevalent in this population. Despite this, current services, and support for young people who self-harm is lacking. Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is a widely used relational approach that has real potential as an intervention for young people who self-harm. It is a trans-diagnostic model that can be delivered in a brief 8 session format. Whilst research so far supports CAT as a treatment for a variety of mental health difficulties, research into its suitability for young people who self-harm is lacking. A key next step is to ascertain whether larger clinical trials of CAT for adults who self-harm could be feasibly undertaken.
Secondment opportunities will be considered.
Main duties of the job
The primary aim of this project is to ascertain the feasibility of evaluating an 8-session CAT intervention for young people (13-17) who self-harm within child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The project will be taking place across three sites: Pennine Care NHS Foundation trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust (GMMH), Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDASH).
We are looking for a Trial therapist for the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) site of the trial. The therapist should have completed the CAT practitioner training, though applicants in their second year of CAT training will be considered. They should also have experience working with young people.
The trial therapist will receive further training and supervision in the trial therapy and work alongside other trial therapists to deliver high quality therapies in line with therapy protocols. The post holder will also be expected to contribute to study processes including maintaining research records and participating in qualitative research conducted alongside the RCT.
The post holder will need to travel to different study sites and to the University of Manchester to attend meetings, training, and supervision.
About us
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford,Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Job description
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate level training in applied psychology (Clinical/ Forensic/ Counselling Psychology) as approved by an appropriate accrediting body (HCPC, BABCP).
- To have completed the first year of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioner training. The training provider must be recognised by the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT). This may include applicants who completed the first year of CAT training as part of a Clinical Psychology Doctoral programme (where year 1 CAT training is an embedded part of the programme).
Desirable
- To have fully completed Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioner training. The training provider must be recognised by the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT).
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment, formulation and treatment of young people within a mental health setting.
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including 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 working therapeutically with clients who have experienced self-harm
Desirable
- Experience of using CAT or CAT-informed approaches with clients experiencing self-harm
Knowledge
Essential
- Shows evidence of knowledge and expertise into the issues of providing psychological therapy to young people who self-harm
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Evidence of high level of general clinical skills
- Ability to prepare and present research reports and presentations
- Good IT skills
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Postgraduate level training in applied psychology (Clinical/ Forensic/ Counselling Psychology) as approved by an appropriate accrediting body (HCPC, BABCP).
- To have completed the first year of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioner training. The training provider must be recognised by the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT). This may include applicants who completed the first year of CAT training as part of a Clinical Psychology Doctoral programme (where year 1 CAT training is an embedded part of the programme).
Desirable
- To have fully completed Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioner training. The training provider must be recognised by the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT).
Experience
Essential
- Experience of specialist psychological assessment, formulation and treatment of young people within a mental health setting.
- Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including 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 working therapeutically with clients who have experienced self-harm
Desirable
- Experience of using CAT or CAT-informed approaches with clients experiencing self-harm
Knowledge
Essential
- Shows evidence of knowledge and expertise into the issues of providing psychological therapy to young people who self-harm
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Evidence of high level of general clinical skills
- Ability to prepare and present research reports and presentations
- Good IT skills
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).
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.
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).
