North Kent Mind is seeking qualified Sessional Therapists to join our Children and Young People’s team on a sessional basis.
This flexible role involves delivering short-term therapeutic interventions for CYP aged 5–18 (or up to 25 with SEND) across Medway. We are particularly interested in therapists with experience in CBT, DBT-informed approaches, counselling and creative modalities, who can offer effective support in a brief intervention format.
Sessional Therapists must be registered with a recognised professional body and either engage in North Kent Mind’s clinical supervision or provide evidence of their own monthly supervision. A minimum of four sessions per week is expected, with working days agreed based therapist availability.
Delivery takes place in our Chatham office, Family Hubs and community venues during core hours (9am–5pm). If you're passionate about supporting young people and want to work in a flexible, supportive environment, we would love to hear from you!
Purpose of Post
North Kent Mind Sessional Therapists are engaged on a casual basis to support the delivery of therapeutic services for children and young people (CYP) aged 5–18 (or up to 25 for those with Special Educational Needs). Sessional therapists are brought in during periods of high demand to ensure a timely, safe and responsive service, particularly where waiting lists are growing or capacity cannot be met by the core team.
Sessional Therapists are expected to deliver a minimum of four sessions per week, with an agreed caseload scheduled on set working days to provide consistency for clients. All Sessional Therapists must either participate in North Kent Mind’s clinical supervision arrangements or provide monthly evidence of their own supervision, in line with BACP requirements (typically 1.5 hours per month).
As this is a self-employed role, payments are made monthly, upon receipt of an invoice. Therapists are responsible for managing their own tax and National Insurance contributions.
Structure of the Post
Sessional therapists are responsible to the CYP Services Manager and/or Deputy CYP Manager, who is responsible for the element in which they are deployed. This role only involves delivery in Medway; Sessional staff are free to reject offers of work at venues which are difficult for them to get to.
Travel costs to any venue are not reclaimable as expenses.
A: DUTIES OF THE POST: GENERAL
These duties apply to all North Kent Mind Staff, whichever service they work for:
1. To work within a framework which:
i. Abides by all the policies of North Kent Mind, including Equity and Diversity, Confidentiality, Health and Safety, and GDPR.
ii. Promotes Social Inclusion, Empowerment, Well-being and the Recovery Model
iii. Respects, encourages and builds on individual service users’ coping strategies, skills and autonomy, and is in keeping with the standards of performance and ethics as defined by the Health and Care Professions Council.
iv. Maintains good liaison with any other outside agencies as is necessary
v. Promotes good joint working, links and cross-referral with all North Kent Mind colleagues.
2. To participate in clinical supervision as required by the BACP and CYP Manager.
Please note: Clinical supervision is provided in groups and fully funded by North Kent Mind as part of our commitment to safe and effective practice; this time is not claimable. Should you wish to use your own supervisor, a declaration of use will be required and we will not fund external supervision costs.
B. DUTIES OF THE POSTS: SPECIFIC
North Kent Mind Sessional CYP Therapists will:
· Deliver both one-to-one and group therapeutic interventions using CBT, DBT or Creative Therapy models over short blocks of 6–12 sessions.
· Maintain accurate and timely case records using our internal system (Lamplight).
· Record and track outcome measures, feedback forms and support plans in line with service requirements on the digital case management system (Lamplight) for impact monitoring and evaluation
· Liaise closely with the Project Coordinator and CYP management team to ensure quality and compliance with KPIs.
· Engage fully in clinical group supervision to support professional development and safe, effective practice.
· Liaise with the CEO, as required, in the absence of the CYP Manager/Deputy Manager.
They may also:
· Contribute to the development and delivery of therapy materials/manuals appropriate to your therapeutic discipline and CYP needs.
· Support with admin tasks where needed, including arranging sessions and completing assessments/triage.
C. QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Please note: Sessional Therapist roles are only open to qualified therapists. We are unable to consider applications from trainees for this post.
All applicants must meet the following criteria and will be asked to provide evidence of:
- Professional qualification: Qualified to degree level or equivalent in a relevant therapeutic discipline (e.g. CBT, DBT, Psychology, Art/Drama Therapy, Play Therapy). For counselling, a minimum Level 4 diploma in counselling/psychotherapy, completed on a course accredited by BACP/UKCP/PTUK, is accepted.
- Professional registration: Current registered membership (not student/trainee) with a recognised professional body, such as:
- BABCP – British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies. Registered as an Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.
- HCPC – Health and Care Professions Council.
- PTUK – Play Therapy UK. Minimum Certified Play Therapist registration.
- UKCP – UK Council for Psychotherapy. Minimum Registered Member.
- BACP – British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Therapist’s should be Registered Members (MBACP). We may consider Individual Members if they can evidence 100 hours of supervised placement, a certificate of course completion and are within the 24-month timeframe to pass the Certificate of Proficiency to gain registered status.
- Experience: At least six months’ post-qualification experience delivering therapy to children and young people in one-to-one and/or group formats (ideally both)
- Professional development: Evidence of up-to-date Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in line with the standards of their registering body.
Pay: £18.03-£20.01 per hour
Benefits:
- Health & wellbeing programme
Application question(s):
- Are you qualified to degree level or equivalent in a relevant therapeutic discipline (e.g. CBT, DBT, Psychology, Art/Drama Therapy, Play Therapy)?
- Do you have a minimum Level 4 diploma in counselling/psychotherapy, completed on a course accredited by BACP/UKCP/PTUK?
- Do you hold a current registered membership (not student/trainee) with a recognised professional body, such as: BABCP, HCPC, PTUK, UKCP or BACP?
- Do you have at least six months’ post-qualification experience delivering therapy to children and young people in one-to-one and/or group formats?
Work Location: In person
