Additional Information about the role and responsibilities of a Therapy Co-ordinator (Project Worker 2) for Link Adoption & Family Support Service
You will have received a Project Worker 2 Job Description and Person Specification. This is a generic role in use throughout the organisation and therefore Barnardo's uses generic job descriptions and person specifications when advertising for such roles.
It is important for candidates applying for this post to read this additional information sheet, as the role of PW2 for LINK is unique. LINK is a therapeutic service, not a fostering or adoption service.
Barnardo's Link Adoption & Family Support Service
Service is currently hybrid – home based with occasional attendance to meetings and training in London and Essex and occasionally other locations
History of Service
Link Adoption & Family Support Service has been operational for over twenty years, providing a service across the country. The service has grown from its adoption roots and now the busy service offers therapeutic support in both adoption and health.
Objectives of Service
Link Adoption & Family Support Service provides therapeutic support for children, young people and families via Regional Adoption Agencies, local authorities, health authorities, voluntary organisations, charities and other Barnardo's projects. Some of our work is in the field of adoption, particularly supporting adoptive families, children and young people who have been adopted, as well as birth family members, Special Guardians and foster carers. Link also provides therapeutic health services to the NHS and other organisations supporting families and children and young people with their mental health.
Organisational Structure
The Link Adoption & Family Support Service is led by an Operations Manager with a Practice team (Practice Managers, Social Workers, Therapists and Therapy Co-ordinators) and a Business Support team, as well as a large pool of independent, sessional therapists who undertake work on our behalf on an ‘as and when' basis.
Specific Responsibilities:
The Therapy Co-ordinator in LINK will work alongside the Practice Team in the delivery, co-ordination, and development of our therapeutic services. Specifically, you will take a lead on all aspects of the co-ordination of therapy referrals, ensuring smooth, effective delivery of the support.
The Therapy Co-Ordinator will report to the Practice Manager.
Duties:
- To manage and support referrals for therapeutic support, for both our health services and our services for adopted children and children living under a special guardianship order.
- Working with therapists to ensure they know and follow LINK processes as well as to provide guidance to therapists in all aspects of their work for LINK.
- To provide detailed reports on service activity and outcomes data for commissioners and to attend meetings with commissioners when required.
- To work in partnership with the LINK Practice team, referring social workers and health professionals, ensuring the needs of our service users are central to decision making and planning.
- Prioritise and manage competing tasks and responsibilities effectively.
- Maintain accurate records and administrative documentation related to therapy services.
- Collaborate with team members and external partners to optimise service delivery and outcomes.
- To deputise for the Senior Therapy Co-ordinator as required.
In addition, you will contribute to the overall management of the service by keeping accurate records of all work undertaken, which will provide performance information for us, our commissioners and Ofsted.
Please note, the Therapy Co-ordinator may need to work across different LINK services as and when required, including being part of the safeguarding duty team.
Supplementary Information
Effective communication skills are essential.
Excellent administrative skills are essential, including advanced use of Microsoft Excel.
Ability to work independently and manage and priortise a large case load and tasks effectively.
Desirable: Working within the mental health sector or adoption and fostering.
