Trainee Systemic Family Practitioner

Job summary

Alliance Psychological Services is a leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based psychological therapies across the Tees Valley. We deliver accessible, person-centred support to children, young people and adults through a range of services, including Mental Health Support Teams in schools, the Tees Valley Getting Help Service and NHS Talking Therapies. Further information about Alliance and its services is available at https://www.alliancepsychology.com/.

In partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, The Link, The Junction, Teesside Mind and Changing Futures North East, we deliver the Tees Valley Getting Help Service. Guided by the i-THRIVE framework, we work with children, young people and families to provide the right support at the right time across community, education and health settings. Further information is available at https://teesvalleygettinghelp.co.uk/.

Please note we monitor applications for the use of AI, if you have used it you should declare it.

We may need to close this advert early in the event of large numbers of applications being received.

Access to a car is essential as travel across Teesside is required.

Please read the attached Course Information from Northumbria University in supporting documents.

Main duties of the job

The purpose of this full-time post is to equip the post-holder with the academic knowledge, clinical skills and supervised experience required to qualify as a Systemic Family Practitioner. As an integral member of the Tees Valley Getting Help Service, the trainee will work collaboratively with children, young people and their families applying systemic principles to assess needs, develop shared formulations and deliver evidence-based interventions where a child or young person presents with low mood, self-harming behaviour and/or conduct disorder. Practice will be undertaken within an agreed scope and under clinical and managerial supervision, with a strong focus on safeguarding, inclusion, safety management and measurable outcomes.

Alongside supervised clinical practice, the post-holder will complete a Postgraduate Diploma delivered in partnership with Northumbria University, combining university teaching, independent study, practice-based learning and formal assessment. The successful candidate will be expected to engage fully with all academic and clinical requirements, apply learning directly to practice and demonstrate relevant prior experience and learning in child development, wellbeing or mental health. They must be able to study at postgrad level and be available to begin the role and training programme on 5 January 2027.

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK we don't provide sponsorship for working visas.

Interviews wc 26 October 2026 in person at Belasis.

About us

Alliance offers first rate training and development opportunities, 38 days annual leave pro rata, rising 1 day every 5 years of service (as well as the option to purchase additional annual leave) EAP health scheme including costs towards eye tests/glasses, dental treatment, physio treatment and shopping discounts alongside a 3% contributory pension scheme.

We also offer lots of health and wellbeing initiatives for our staff and promote flexible working for a positive work life balance.

Alliance Psychological Services Limited is committed to promoting equal opportunities in our employment practice and service delivery. We are signatories to the Mindful Employers Charter. Alliance also has Investors in People silver award. We are disability confident and employ and support people with disabilities.

Alliance Psychological Services follows safer recruitment of staff for all appointments. It is a requirement that all staff understand it is each persons individual responsibility and are committed to promoting and safeguarding the welfare of clients. Please note that due to the nature of the duties of these roles, an enhanced criminal records disclosure will be sought in the event of a successful application.

Job responsibilities

Therapeutic practice

Be supervised, supported and assessed in the delivery of outcome focused, evidence-based interventions in a number of communities with families to deliver skilled, competent Systemic Interventions with families within which children or adolescents present with low mood and or Self Harming behaviour and or Conduct Disorders

Support with identifying suitability of presenting cases of low mood, Self-Harm and Conduct Disorder for systemic interventions.

Demonstrate skilled competence in the ability to work collaboratively with children, young people and their families in assessing and formulating or conceptualising the nature of presenting low mood, Self Harm and Conduct Disorder, including the assessment and management of safety.

Develop the ability to convene, engage and work systemically and collaboratively with families of children and young people who present with low mood, Self-Harm and Conduct Disorders.

Developing skills in supporting children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and their families and educators in the self-management of difficulties. Developing and practicing skills under supervisory support of working in partnership with children, young people, their families in the development of treatment plans for specific interventions.

• Developing and learning the skills required in order to enable children and young people to collaborate and coproduce their own agreed plan of care.
• Show evidence in a variety of forms that interventions are provided from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.
• Discuss with supervisors and agree to accept appropriate referrals for children and young people in a wide range of settings, according to agreed referral routes, processes and procedures.
• Under supervision, undertake accurate assessments of risk to self and others.
• Learn, understand, rationalise and adhere to the policies and protocols within Alliance and any other multi-agency establishments where you may be attached.
• Engage along with more senior staff in the signposting of referrals for children and young people and families with more complex needs to the relevant service.
• Engage in robust managerial and clinical supervision and case management, identifying the scope of practice of the individual postholder within the role, and working safely within that scope.
• Practice, evidence and demonstrate an ability to manage ones own caseload in conjunction with the requirements of the team.
• Keep coherent records of all training and clinical activity in line with Alliances service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making.
• Complete all requirements relating to data collection.
• Show evidence of working within a collaborative approach, involving a range of relevant others when indicated. Specifically, work in collaboration with parents, children, young people and the wider community to enhance and broaden access to mental health services.
• Contribute to the development of individual or group clinical materials or training materials and go on to develop further such materials as falls within own degree of competence.

Training and supervision

• Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic and practice-based assessments.
• As well as attendance at the University for training, fulfil self study requirements to enhance learning and prepare assignments for examination.
• Apply learning from the training programme directly to practice through the course.
• Receive practice tutoring from mentors within Alliance in relation to course work to meet the required standards.
• Prepare and present case load information to supervisors or case managers within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service.
• Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and practice.
• Be involved in the evaluation of the course and case studies from service

Professional

• Ensure the maintenance of standards of own professional practice according to both the postholders employer and the Higher Education Institution in which they are enrolled.
• Ensure appropriate adherence to any new recommendations or guidelines set by the relevant departments.
• Ensure that confidentiality is always protected.
• Ensure that any risks or issues related to the safety and wellbeing of anyone the postholder comes into contact within the course of their professional duties are communicated and shared with appropriate parties in order to maintain individual safety and the public interest.
• Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with supervisor and line-manager and senior colleagues on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.
• Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.
• Keep all records up to date in relation to Continuous Professional Development and the requirements of the post and ensure personal development plans maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models or developments.
• Attend relevant educational opportunities in line with identified professional objectives.

To work within Data Protection Act 1998 and Alliance Information Governance policies and procedures

Partnership Working

To create and maintain effective working relationships with Headteachers, Deputy Heads, SENCOs, Pastoral Team and wider teaching staff by providing advice and consultative support on emotional and mental health issues, and in relation to appropriate referral pathways for children, young people and families with mental health needs.

To liaise effectively with other local providers, including statutory, voluntary sector organisations and on behalf of the child, young person or family.

Attend multi-disciplinary and multi-agency meetings relating to referrals for children, young people and families in treatment.

Safeguarding

• Responsible for safeguarding children and promoting the welfare of children & young people at all times and operating within local policies and procedures.
• Taking appropriate safeguarding action to protect children & young people at risk of significant harm.
• To identify and support families in accessing Early Help Services
• To share appropriate information with parents/ carers or other agencies regarding the child's wellbeing and progress keeping within the boundaries of Confidentiality and Information sharing protocols.

Organisational Responsibilities:

Values and behaviours

To demonstrate and be a role model for Alliance's values, to promote and encourage positive behaviours, enhancing the quality and integrity of the services we provide.

Health, Safety and Wellbeing

To take responsibility for health, safety, and wellbeing in accordance with Alliances policies and procedures.

Equality and diversity

To promote a society that gives everyone an equal chance to work and live free from discrimination and prejudice.

Confidentiality

To work in a way that does not divulge personal and/or confidential information and follow Alliances policies and procedures in relation to data protection and security of information.

Performance Management

To promote a culture whereby performance management is ingrained, and the highest standards and performance are achieved by all. Ensure that mandatory training commitments are met and that the postholder keeps up to date with Alliances policies and procedures. Contribute to Alliances Appraisal processes to ensure continuous learning and improvement and to increase organisational performance.

This job description is designed to identify principal responsibilities only. The post holder is required to be flexible in developing the role in accordance with changes in Alliances organisational objectives and priorities.