Talking Therapist

About the role

National Star are looking for a Talking Therapist to work as an integral member of the Emotional Wellbeing team, delivering high quality therapeutic interventions to support student’s Mental Health and wellbeing.

The ongoing health and wellbeing of our students is vital to enhance their quality of life and to support their learning and experiences as they grow in their independence and explore new opportunities during their time at National Star.

This is a fantastic opportunity to join an experienced and highly regarded team of therapists working at the award-winning National Star College, giving you the chance to learn from other professionals working in the field and develop your professional skills providing support to those with complex physical and learning disabilities. You will be part of a hugely supportive, growing and dynamic team that has a wide, diverse range of backgrounds including creative arts therapies such as dance, music and drama, and our Positive Behaviour Support team.

A flexible approach coupled with excellent communication and team working skills will be required as you will work with students, support staff and members of the multi-disciplinary team to integrate wellbeing and positive behaviour support strategies including Emotional wellbeing plans into learning or other activities wherever possible.

You will be responsible for managing your own caseload of students, assessing, planning, implementing and evaluating Talking Therapy programmes and ensuring that interventions are safe and effective. You will be proactive and creative in finding the right therapy paths for our students and ensuring that we are meeting individuals’ needs.

Ideally coming with a good understanding of some of the issues being faced by young adults with complex physical and learning disabilities, you will have a good understanding of quality assurance processes and reporting of progress based on each student’s EHCP based individual targets.

We expect you to have relevant and recognised qualification in Counselling or Psychotherapy and be UKCP, BACP or HCPC registered. Additional training in Positive Behaviour Support and specialisms such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy would also be highly beneficial to us.

This role will be part time (28 hours, 4 days per week) term time only (39 weeks a year) – 0.63 FTE. You will be based mostly at our Ullenwood site on the outskirts of Cheltenham with 1 day a week at supporting our Work Based Learning team in the centre of Cheltenham.

About us

National Star is a growing charity with more than 1,200 staff based in England and Wales. Established more than 50 years ago, we’ve supported hundreds of young people with disabilities to achieve their potential.

Staff benefits

Fantastic career development opportunities and comprehensive induction programme – theory and practical

Free employee minibus service from central Gloucester and central Cheltenham to Ullenwood (subject to availability)

Award-winning training

Free use of National Star facilities at Ullenwood, including a heated indoor swimming pool and fitness suite

Westfield medical cover

Life insurance cover

Employee helpline

Contributory pension scheme

Opportunity to purchase a TOTUM discount card

Employee discounts at attractions, high street retailers, supermarkets, utilities and motoring, plus much more