Recommended standards for the employment of Family and Systemic Psychotherapists/ Family Therapists

Transcription

1 Recommended standards for the employment of Family and Systemic Psychotherapists/ Family Therapists Revised August Introduction These Terms and Conditions of Service are intended to assist employers in developing job descriptions and pay bands for family and systemic psychotherapist posts and also to give information about the needs of systemic psychotherapists in post. To this end some background information is also given about systemic psychotherapy and the qualifying training. Posts can carry a number of titles such as family therapist, systemic psychotherapist and family and systemic psychotherapist depending on the setting. For the purpose of this document we will use the encompassing title systemic psychotherapist. Please note that UKCP registered systemic psychotherapists are fully qualified and should not be confused with those trained to intermediate level, who can use the title Systemic Practitioner. Systemic practitioners generally use their intermediate level training to extend their skills within their existing profession. Those trained to this level are not eligible for professional registration with UKCP (please see the levels of training document) nor are they eligible for employment in systemic psychotherapist posts. What is systemic psychotherapy? Systemic psychotherapy developed in response to a growing awareness that individual difficulties do not develop in isolation but within contexts and patterns of relationships. This highlights the importance of families and relational networks in enabling and facilitating change. Research into effective treatments for anorexia nervosa, asthma, childhood diabetes, schizophrenia, depression and drug abuse, amongst others; provide an evidence-base for this method of treatment. A systemic approach to work with individuals, couples, families and networks is valuable in the full range of health, social care and voluntary settings. Systemic training The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK (AFT) accredits training courses. Systemic psychotherapy is a dual qualification profession. Entrants to post graduate qualifying courses i.e. those which lead to the United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy (UKCP) registration are required to have a previous professional qualification in a relevant field (this is usually in social work, psychology, mental health nursing, counselling or psychiatry) but other relevant professions and previous experience are also considered according to the equivalence criteria. In drawing up person specifications employers may specify which previous professional background might best support the job description and setting of the post.

2 UKCP registered systemic psychotherapists have the required qualifications and experience necessary to work within the private sector, the NHS or other public or voluntary sector agencies. 1. Grading structure 1.1 Posts above trainee level can only be filled by qualified systemic psychotherapists who have successfully completed an AFT-accredited qualifying level course in systemic psychotherapy and who are registered or soon due to be registered with UKCP. 1.2 For all appointments and posts, employers are advised to obtain appropriate professional advice from AFT, and their National Assessors. The following factors should be taken into account when considering the grading of posts: the size, complexity, range and level of the service managed or individually provided. the level of any specialist experience required. the extent to which the post carries additional duties which may include wider management within the service or professional advisory roles. the extent of responsibility for staff across a geographical area beyond the post holder's base site. the extent to which the post carries responsibility for research, evaluation and development, or direction of those functions the extent to which the post carries responsibility for teaching, training, clinical supervision (of trainees and/or qualified systemic staff) or direction of those functions. the extent to which the post carries responsibility for providing clinical advice or supervision for staff in other disciplines the extent to which particular local factors impact on service development and provision e.g. geographical peculiarities, ethnic mix of the population and areas of deprivation. 1.3 Job descriptions and person specifications must be used to determine the banding of each post. They should be agreed with staff in post before posts are re-banded. In each band it is for the employing authority to decide the appropriate points on the pay band. 2. Trainee systemic psychotherapists, bands 6 and A trainee systemic psychotherapist is one who is participating in an AFT-approved course and who is working under the supervision of a qualified systemic psychotherapist with a minimum of two years post qualification experience. 2.2 In considering the banding of a trainee consideration can be given to the trainee s previous experience and qualifications. 2.3 In some circumstances a trainee may have a particular area of expertise e.g. a specific competence in understanding a culture or language or other exceptional skills and this can be recognised. This reflects the high value systemic psychotherapy places on equal opportunities, increasing the diversity in the field in order to reach clients in all communities. 2.4 Clinical responsibility is held by the trainee s supervisor.

3 3. Specialist systemic psychotherapists, band A specialist systemic psychotherapist is one who has completed a qualifying level training course accredited by AFT, and who is registered or is in the process of registering with the UKCP. It is an introductory band to the main career structure and is designed to provide a range of clinical experience in preparation for work at a higher level. 3.2 Band 7 systemic staff are expected to be responsible for their own caseload and contribute a systemic perspective within their service. 3.3 After two years at this level they are eligible to supervise trainee systemic psychotherapists and eligible to be considered for band 8 posts. 3.4 The post holder must have available the support and guidance of a systemic psychotherapist at Band 8a or above who has been qualified for two years or more. 4. Highly Specialist Systemic Psychotherapists, Bands 8a and 8b Bands 8a and 8b are the main career grades for systemic psychotherapists Band 8a Systemic psychotherapists at band 8a are experienced professionals who can work autonomously with their own highly specialist caseload of clients, though it is expected that an 8a systemic psychotherapist will be continuing to develop wider experience. In exceptional circumstances a newly qualified systemic psychotherapist may be appointed at band 8a. This would be when the post holder has significant and extensive experience in his or her first profession prior to training and where this experience is directly relevant to the post. Systemic psychotherapists at band 8a can be expected to: provide a highly specialist clinical service offer systemic teaching and training within trusts or teams consult to colleagues through live supervision of clinical sessions with families. consult to teams working with families using one-way screens or working in room Band 8b In addition to having the highly specialist skills required at band 8a systemic psychotherapists at this level may take responsibility for work in a particular area of the service. It may include: taking clinical responsibility for a section of the service or department delegated to them taking responsibility for developing a new area of service provision, identifying service priorities and initiating developments within the section providing particular training programmes across the service or trust participating in the organisation of the agency or trust, contributing to relevant decision taking and making recommendations managing and/or providing distance supervision of staff who may be based in another agency. This may include liaison with managers in the partner agency. 5 Consultant Systemic Psychotherapist Band 8c and 8d Systemic Psychotherapists at this level will have a senior professional and/or managerial role within a multidisciplinary service or manage a stand-alone systemic service within a Trust or agency. They are likely to

4 be professional leads or heads of service for their discipline with experience of professional supervision of staff. Band 8c post holders would generally be expected to have an AFT approved supervisor's qualification and be on AFT's list of approved supervisors. Band 8c systemic psychotherapists may hold management responsibility for: ensuring the clinical supervision of staff. This may include systemic supervision and consultation for staff of other disciplines in multi-disciplinary/multi-agency teams. systemic training within a service recruitment professional development of staff planning and development of the systemic psychotherapy service e.g. drawing up bids for future development and implementation of successful bids line management of those below band 8c participation in the overall management of a multi-disciplinary or multi-agency service audit and research. 5.2 Consultant Systemic Psychotherapists are responsible for service development which may include responsibility for a budget. 5.3 In some services, the major responsibility of the post may be to run an AFT-accredited qualifying course in family therapy. 6. Consultant Systemic Psychotherapists Band 8d and Band 9 Consultant systemic psychotherapists at Band 8d and 9 are expected to have overall responsibility for psychotherapy services over a larger geographical area or across a range of services. They have responsibility for strategic planning, implementation and review. The most experienced group of senior clinicians who are able to undertake all of the above. They are expected to: manage multi-specialist services and advise directors and senior managers on strategic and policy development share responsibilities for the operational and strategic development of services at all levels throughout the organisation as part of executive management functions as professional head and advisor for all clinical workers within the organisation This band may also be used to recognise the exceptionally distinguished contribution a post-holder has made in the field.

5 Continuing professional development It is a requirement of continuing registration with UKCP that a registrant keep up-to-date with their professional knowledge and skills. In common with other professions, this involves a variety of learning experiences over the course of each year, principally, but not exclusively, by attendance at academic or clinical training events, ranging from an hour to one or more days The precise amount and nature of CPD to be achieved over a given period of time is set out by UKCP, and this is monitored by bodies, such as AFT, supporting registration. It is therefore advantageous that staff are enabled by their employers to gain the necessary CPD by the provision of some or all of the following: direct provision of suitable training relevant to systemic training. funding support to attend training outside the employing organisation. paid time off to pursue relevant training and attend professional events, this is ultimately to the mutual benefit of the employee, the employing body and service users. Further training: Many systemic psychotherapists will wish to be supported in undertaking further training as part of their CPD such as approved supervisor's training and management training. Professional activities Systemic psychotherapists are encouraged to participate in the activities of the professional association. AFT approves and accredits professional training courses, provides advice and guidance with respect to professional ethics, promotes and encourages research, organises conferences and training events and speaks on behalf of the profession in many forums. It provides information, advice and assistance regarding professional matters not only to its members but also to employers. As well as national activities, there are many active local branches which systemic psychotherapists may become involved with as well as in the work of national committees. This work and involvement with AFT committees counts toward CPD activities. Supervision For the first three years post-qualification, systemic psychotherapists must receive a minimum of 1.5 hours per month. This would normally be face-to-face and from a supervisor who is registered with the Family Couple and Sexual Systemic Therapy (FCSST) Section of the UKCP and preferably with someone who has achieved approved supervisor status with AFT or another approved agency. After three years of post-qualified practice, systemic psychotherapists are required to undertake a minimum of 12 hours supervision per year. If there is no one in the organisation that can meet these requirements, external supervision will need to be provided. It is acknowledged that clinical supervision and management supervision may sometimes be provided by the same person. This may bring challenges for the supervisor and supervisee that should be openly discussed and negotiated. Supervisors and managers should reflect on personal and professional issues and their impact, both positive and negative, on the supervision process. If an identified conflict of interest occurs, a mediation process should be adopted.

6 It may be necessary for employers to provide alternative professional clinical supervision from within the organisation or external to the organisation. Annual re-registration: Each year systemic psychotherapists are required to renew their UKCP registration with UKCP. To remain on the register it is important that registrants provide evidence of their continuing professional development at least once every five years. A review is conducted which requires members to detail the extent of their practice, their current arrangements for supervision, their professional development and professional indemnity insurance. We advise those practising as a family and systemic psychotherapist to ensure they have evidence of a DBS check. The Chair of the Professional Affairs Committee (PAC) welcomes general feedback and suggestions on Information Sheets and can be contacted via the AFT office. AFT is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England, No Registered Charity No Registered office is the administrative office, as above. Administrative office AFT, The Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK 7 Executive Suite, St James Business Centre, Warrington Cheshire WA4 6PS. Head Office Tel: mail@aft.org.uk Company No , Registered Charity No Registered office is the administrative office as given. AFT Extracts from AFT information sheets may be used without prior permission if clearly attributed and referenced: AFT (2018): Information Sheet [title] Association for Family Therapy and Systemic Practice in the UK: