Full Time, Permanent
An exciting opportunity has arisen for someone to join Bristol Therapeutic Support Service (BTSS) as a Therapeutic Support Practitioner.
There are five specialist teams in BTSS that work together to improve outcomes for children and young people in care, returning home and leaving care. The service provides support at key stages of a child or young person's journey, helping to promote stability, strengthen relationships, and reduce unnecessary moves for children. Trauma informed interventions using relationship-based approaches, that focus on the individual needs of the children, young people, carers and families are at the centre of the support offered.
Our overarching goal is promoting and achieving stability and strengthening relationships for children in foster care, children’s residential homes and returning to family. The work of the team is varied. It involves providing therapeutic, emotional, educational, practical and parenting support to children and carers both on an individual, carer/ child and group basis.
This role is within the Short-Term Stability Team within BTSS, which provides therapeutic support to carers and children to promote stability. You will work with foster carers to support them in providing therapeutic care to children and young people. This will include offering therapeutic consultations, group work and training. You will work alongside the support network around the carer and child/young person. You will also work alongside BTSS skills coaches, who do direct work with children and young people in care. The Short-Term Stability Team offers focused, goal oriented therapeutic work to increase stability for children and young people in care.
This post will suit someone with a sound knowledge of attachment and the impact of developmental trauma and a background in therapeutic work. You will be a dynamic and creative individual who enjoys a challenge and works well in a team.
This service is an exciting and enjoyable place to work. We have a strong culture of learning and support and you will receive regular supervision, training and development opportunities.
Please note that this role is subject to an enhanced DBS check.
Why Bristol City Council?
At Bristol City Council, we go that extra mile for our people; we offer a work environment which is fast moving and supportive, giving you the chance to use your skills and develop new ones within a high profile organisation.
Join us and you’ll receive a generous rewards package including flexible working and flexi-time, membership of the Local Government Pension scheme, and a generous annual leave allowance. In addition you’ll be working in a supportive environment where you’ll have the chance to make Bristol a better place and contribute to its future.
How do I apply?
If you share our values and are ready to be part of our exciting journey please select the apply button below.
To be shortlisted for interview you’ll need to demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification within the Further Information section of your application, using clear examples from your working experience. We recommend using a methodical approach to address each item on the essential criteria. On occasion we will receive high numbers of applications, we may then shortlist against the desirable criteria along with the essential criteria, so if you can, please demonstrate how you meet this in your application.
We're a Disability Confident employer which means we value recruiting and retaining disabled people. Any job applicants who consider themselves to be disabled and meet the essential criteria in the Person Specification are guaranteed an interview. We'll make reasonable adjustments throughout the interview process and provide continued workplace support throughout your career.
Interviews for this role will be in the week commencing 14th September 2026.
For an informal discussion about the role, having read the job description and person specification, please contact Tim Osborne, Therapeutic Practice Lead, on 07345749167 or [email protected]. If Tim is not available please email [email protected] or call 0117 353 4200 and ask to speak to a manager about the role.
Bristol City Council strives to have a workforce that reflects the communities it serves, we are therefore committed to ensuring diversity in our hiring process. We welcome, develop and promote people from all sections of the community. We particularly welcome applications from Black and racially minoritised and disabled candidates who are currently under-represented within this Service of Bristol City Council. Appointments will be made on merit.
The personal information section (including your name) you’ll complete as part of the application form will not be visible to hiring managers, but is used confidentially to make sure that everyone is treated fairly.
