Clinical Psychologist & Head Of Therapy

Job summary As part of our growth strategy, Aurora are really pleased to be opening a brand new SEND Secondary School in 2025 in the heart ofHorsham, West Sussexfor young neurodivergent students aged 11-16.
Most of our students are coming to us from mainstream education to have access to an adapted National Curriculum delivered in small classes with a focus on meeting their sensory needs and support for their emotional wellbeing.
Many of our students would have previously camouflaged at school or had freeze/faun responses or sometimes flight; Vincent House School will provide an accepting and safe, welcoming place for young people to thrive.
Main duties of the job This is an outstanding opportunity for a practitioner to have a significant impact on culture and practice within a new provision and be integral to the strategic development of the school.
Through your role you would support the school to be: neuro-informed and neuro-affirmative practicing an integrated therapeutic offer providing an excellent universal offer based on high quality training for all staff evidence based but innovative in approaches holistically supportive of students and their families trained in supporting female students whose neurodivergence invariably presents differently to that of their male peers be able to provide a safe environment for those young people who may be a danger to themselves due to high anxiety trauma-informed in their practice working collaboratively with CAMHS and external support agencies actively involved in relevant research projects and initiatives that support the neurodivergent community and the mental health of young people outstanding in their care and safeguarding of all students effective in promoting attitudes that value young people with SEND as individuals with a right to be treated with respect About us Were one of the largest providers of SEND educational and care services in the country, supporting over 1,200 children, young people and adults, and employing over 1,500 staff spread across 27 services around England.
As part of our growth strategy, Aurora are really pleased to be opening a brand new SEND Secondary School in 2025 in the heart ofHorsham, West Sussexfor young neurodivergent students aged 11-16.
Job description Job responsibilities Main PurposeTo use psychological models and practices to enhance the learning, cognitive and emotional skills of children and young people in order to prepare them for adult life.
To provide direct support for other staff so they can effectively respond to young peoples communication, behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
To ensure a neuro-informed and neuro-affirmative approach by the school.Key AccountabilitiesTo provide a clinical psychology service to children and young adults with SEND, including a rang of mental health difficulties.To provide advice, guidance and training to colleagues.To liaise effectively with parents or carers, receiving and giving advice and information where necessary.To undertake risk assessments when necessary, and to provide advice to other professionals on psychological aspects of risk assessment and managementTo prepare, implement and monitor individual positive behavioural plans for young people who need them.To communicate in a skilled and sensitive manner.To work with colleagues to maximise efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery.To prepare reports and assessment for stakeholdersKey DutiesTo assess the psychological needs of children and young people through the most appropriate strategy or approach for that person.Oversee mental health input into EHCPs in collaboration with children and families.Lead on mental health multi agency and strategy meetings relating to children's mental health and well-being.Ensuring the developmentof a robust integrative therapeutic offer that matches the support needs of CYP in the schoolTo carry out individual assessments of children and young people liaising with other professionals internally and externally and attend their review meetings as requiredIn collaboration with the multi-disciplinary co-ordinate behaviour support provision so that it is effectively delivered to meet young peoples needsTo research best practice and lead on the implementation of the Positive Behaviour Support Policy and practice.To provide training and guidance to staff on such issues as behaviour support, mental health and communication, especially for young autistic people.To contribute to the training and support needs of families.Develop and deliver appropriate therapeutic group interventions.Provide tailored individual intervention to young people where group work is not suitableProvide summaries of progress/intervention/risk assessments where appropriate for MDTs in advance of the meetingsPost holders are expected to undertake any other reasonable duties, for which they are trained, qualified or competentTo support other psychologists within the group as coordinator with complex psychological cases.To work within the clinical structure with other coordinators on group wide initiatives for service improvements reporting to the clinical advisor to the board.Knowledge, Skills and ExperienceEducation & TrainingPost graduate qualification in psychology (or equivalent)Registered and accredited with Health & Care Profession Council (HCPC) as a practitioner psychologist The successful applicant will be required to undergo relevant pre-employment checks including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.To have the flexibility to work different hours across the week that suit the needs of the children and young people.ExperienceExperience of working with children / young people with special education needs and high level supportExperience of working with young people with Autism, severe communication difficulties, profound and multiple learning difficulties, including physical and sensory needs.Experience of working in a school or care setting is desirableExperienced working with multi-disciplinary teamExperience of current evidence based practiceSkills, Knowledge and AbilityGood level of spoken and written EnglishAbility to supervise, train and teach staff.Basic ICT skills (able to use a computer for handling data / report writing)Demonstrate knowledge and ability to promote the dignity and individuality of children and young people by encouraging effective communication, making choices and reducing support needsAbility to prioritiseExcellent interpersonal and communication skillsAble to keep accurate records.Ability to work on your own as well as part of a teamKnowledge of safeguarding legislation.Personal Qualities and AttributesCommitment to continuous professional development (or ability to manage and develop oneself)Understand and respect principles of confidentialityAble to deal calmly with situations that ariseAble to give and receive feedbackEnthusiastic, conscientious, flexibleGood attendance record; punctual and reliableDevelop good professional relationships with children and young people, parents and families, and colleaguesAttitudes that value with children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities as individuals with a right to be treated with respectCommitment to Equality and Diversity (Equality Act 2010).Requirements of RoleThe successful applicant will be required to undergo relevant pre-employment checks including a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Check.To have the flexibility to work different hours across the week that suit the needs of the children and young people.Additional InformationAs part of the Aurora Group everyone is:expected at all times to behave and act in a way which promotes and contributes to the overall aims, values and ethos of the Company.required to participate in regular training and other learning activities, and in supervision, appraisal and development as required by the Companys policies and proceduresrequired to participate in any relevant current and new legislative and regulatory activities as may occur from time to timerequired, through personal example and clear action, to demonstrate commitment to equality and diversity ensuring equality of access and treatment in employment and service delivery to all.required to promote The Aurora Groups Health and Safety at Work Policy and Procedure and ensure these are implemented effectively.The Aurora Group takes seriously its responsibility for safeguarding and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young adults.
Therefore, everyone employed by the Aurora Group is expected to share this and act accordingly by applying organisations policies and procedures and attending regular safeguarding training.
Person Specification Experience Essential Candidates must: have a Post graduate clinical qualification in Psychology be registered with Health & Care Profession Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist be enthusiastic to work alongside professional educators ensuring integrated therapy develop positive professional relationships with young people, parents, families and colleagues as well as external stakeholders