IFT Therapist (Intensive Family Therapy)

Intensive Family Therapy (IFT) is a home and community-based intervention for children and young people aged 9-17, where young people are at risk of out of home placement in either care or custody due to their offending or having severe behaviour problems. The aim of IFT is to break the cycle of anti-social behaviours by keeping young people safely at home, in school, and out of trouble.

As an IFT Therapist, you will bring your professional discipline/experience to the team and will hold a caseload of complex cases working intensively and flexibly with families for up to 5 months. You will deliver the most appropriate IFT intervention (e.g. behavioural therapy, CBT, family therapy) utilising the IFT model and analytical process. 

About you:

• You will hold a Batchelor’s degree in a relevant subject, and/or preferably professionally qualified in a relevant discipline (e.g. social work, psychology, mental health nursing)
• You will have significant experience of working behaviourally and/or therapeutically with young people and their families.
• Are you a positive and passionate individual  with a commitment  to making a difference to young people and their families?
• Can you demonstrate an interest in evidence-based practice and research?
• Are you keen to develop your knowledge of IFT and therapeutic and intervention skills?

To meet the needs of the families we work with and to adhere to the IFT service model, you will enjoy working flexibly, full-time, often working unsocial hours, and regularly lone working. The IFT service is contactable 24/7 to ensure the most effective and timely support to families and you will be required to participate in a rotational on-call rota (which is subject to an additional payment as per Birmingham City Council policy).

*Successful candidates will be appointed to the wider IFT service, and will work within either the existing IFT team or the IFT-E team depending upon service and developmental needs both at the point of recruitment and once established in the role.

Travel is an essential part of this job and therefore it would be extremely difficult for you to do your job effectively if you did not use a car for all or most of the time. Therefore, it is essential that you hold a full and valid driving licence, and it is expected that you will have access to use of a vehicle.

In order to be considered for this role please complete an application form demonstrating how you meet the competencies required as outlined in the attached person specification.  CVs will not be accepted. For informal enquiries please contact Neil French on 07703373819.

Help us to change children and young people’s lives!

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to making a positive impact on the lives of over 10,000 children and young people in our city every day. Our mission is to support the most disadvantaged children and young people in Birmingham, ensuring they are safe, happy, and healthy.

Why Join Us?

• Impactful Work - be part of a team that makes a real difference in the lives of the city’s most vulnerable children.
• Supportive Environment - enjoy a supportive and collaborative work culture where your contributions are valued.
• Career Development - benefit from tailored development programs, supportive supervision, and a range of learning opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Generous Benefits - take advantage of our competitive reward package including generous leave allowance, Local Government pension scheme, and additional benefits.

Our Values

We approach our work with care and compassion, actively listening to the needs of the children and young people we serve. We involve them in the decisions that affect their lives, ensuring their voices are heard and respected.

We are committed to using our resources wisely, ensuring that every penny is spent where it counts the most. We foster collaboration among schools, health professionals, and the police, working together to create a supportive network for our young people.

We believe that when we work as one cohesive team, the children and young people of Birmingham are more likely to thrive. Our unified approach ensures that we provide the best possible support and opportunities for their growth and development.

Join us and together, we can create a brighter future for all.

Safeguarding

At Birmingham Children’s Trust, we are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Depending on the role, you may be asked to undergo the appropriate level of Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check to assess your suitability for working with children and young people.

The level of check (Standard, Enhanced, or Enhanced with Barred List) is determined based on the specific responsibilities of the role and the level of contact with children and young people.

We are committed to the fair treatment of all applicants, including those with criminal records. Having a criminal record will not necessarily bar an individual from working with us. This will depend on the nature of the position and the circumstances and background of the offence.