Therapeutic Support Practitioner

Overview

This permanent full-time position offers an exciting role within the Bristol Therapeutic Support Service (BTSS). BTSS consists of five specialized teams dedicated to enhancing outcomes for children and young people in care, those returning home, and those leaving care. The service focuses on promoting stability, strengthening relationships, and minimizing unnecessary relocations by delivering trauma-informed, relationship-based interventions tailored to the unique needs of children, young people, their carers, and families.

Role and Responsibilities

The primary aim of this role is to foster stability and relationship strengthening among children in foster care, residential homes, and those transitioning back to family environments. The varied duties include therapeutic, emotional, educational, practical, and parenting support delivered on individual, carer-child, and group levels.

Specifically, this position is part of the Short-Term Stability Team within BTSS, which focuses on therapeutic support to both carers and children to encourage stability. Key activities include collaborating with foster carers to enable therapeutic care provision, conducting therapeutic consultations, facilitating group work, and providing training. The role involves working closely with the child or young person's support network and alongside BTSS skills coaches who engage directly with children and young people in care. The team's therapeutic approach is concentrated and goal-oriented to improve stability for children and youth in care.

Candidate Profile

The ideal candidate will possess robust knowledge about attachment and the effects of developmental trauma, supported by a background in therapeutic work. Candidates should be dynamic, creative, thrive on challenges, and demonstrate strong teamwork capabilities.

Work Environment and Benefits

BTSS prides itself on being a stimulating and enjoyable workplace with a strong culture valuing continuous learning and support. Employees benefit from regular supervision, comprehensive training, and opportunities for professional growth. Employment is accompanied by a generous rewards package including flexible and flexi-time working arrangements, membership in the Local Government Pension scheme, and ample annual leave.

Additional Requirements and Diversity Commitment

This position requires an enhanced DBS check. Bristol City Council is committed to inclusivity and actively supports diversity in its recruitment process, particularly encouraging applications from Black, racially minoritized, and disabled individuals who are underrepresented in the service. The council is recognized as a Disability Confident employer, guaranteeing interviews to disabled candidates who meet the essential criteria, with reasonable adjustments made during the recruitment and employment phases.

Application Process and Contact

Applicants should demonstrate how they fulfill each essential criterion outlined in the Person Specification with clear examples from their work experience. Due to high application volumes, shortlisting may also consider desirable criteria. Interviews are scheduled for the week commencing 14th September 2026. For informal inquiries about the role, candidates can contact Tim Osborne, Therapeutic Practice Lead, at the provided phone number.