Specialist Therapist - Eating Disorders

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP); Chester; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 50,000; Part time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits a dedicated Eating Disorder Therapist to join a specialist multi-disciplinary team focused on supporting young people aged 13-18 with eating disorders. This role offers the chance to work within a well-established outpatient service, providing evidence-based treatments while collaborating with inpatient services. The ideal candidate will possess a strong commitment to professional development and a genuine interest in working with young people and their families. Join a forward-thinking organization that values compassionate care and offers a supportive environment for your growth and development in the mental health field.

Benefits

Professional development opportunities

Flexible working hours

Supportive team environment

Induction program for new starters

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years experience in CAMHS or eating disorders services.
• Knowledge in managing adolescents with eating disorders.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based treatment for young people with eating disorders.
• Support young people in both outpatient and inpatient settings.

Skills

DBT

CBT

Family/Systemic Therapy

Crisis Management

Clinical Consultation

Education

Core professional qualification (e.g.: nursing; social work; OT)

Minimum Postgraduate qualification in a therapeutic modality

MSc level training in a specific therapeutic modality

Job description

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a motivated and enthusiastic Eating Disorder Therapist to work in a dedicated and specialist multi-disciplinary eating disorders service for young people and their families. The post holder will hold a case load and will have the opportunity to work with complex young people.

The Post will be part of the CWP Trustwide Hub and Spoke Eating Disorder Teams and will be based at the hub in Chester (CHEDs). CHEDS is a regional outpatient service offering evidence-based treatment approaches to 13 - 18-year-olds who present with an eating disorder and their families/carers. In recent years, the service has expanded to include locality ‘spokes’ within the CAMHS teams within CWP. The service also provides Tier 4 gatekeeping for young people with eating disorders requiring an inpatient admission across Cheshire and Merseyside.

Main duties of the job

CHEDS is a well-established service, offering evidence-based outpatient treatment. CHEDS staff also work alongside staff at Ancora House, the local Tier 4 inpatient service, offering an opportunity for the post-holder to support young people on both an outpatient and inpatient basis.

We are seeking to appoint a skilled and experienced therapist with a genuine interest in working with young people with eating disorders and their families and a commitment to delivering specialist assessments and evidence-based interventions. We are keen to hear from individuals with relevant training and experience and will consider applications from a range of professional backgrounds (DBT, CBT, etc.). The post holder will be involved in group work e.g., RO-DBT, DBT-coping skills, and parent group.

The post-holder will be offered the opportunity for continued professional development within a specialist and well-established multi-disciplinary service. Our service has a strong commitment to professional development through individual supervision, training, appraisal, and an ethos of close multi-disciplinary working. There will also be an opportunity for specific eating disorder training.

The post is fixed term for a year to cover maternity leave with part-time hours (30 hours), willing to consider further part-time hours, job share, and flexible hours.

Working for our organisation

CWP provides health and care services for local people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health, and all-age disability care – including the provision of three GP surgeries.

Our aim is to help people to be the best they can be, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We were recently rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission with a Good rating overall.

We offer a variety of roles at all levels, so whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, CWP is the right employer for you.

CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences.

To support this, we offer up to three weeks induction, dependent on role, with our Prepare to Care programme for all new starters. This programme welcomes you to CWP and provides you with information and training to support you in your role.

We welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description for full details.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and Behaviours which are ‘the 6 Cs’ Communication, Competence, Courage, Care, Compassion, and Commitment. The supporting information section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website here. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email – [e-mail] or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

CWP is proud to be an accredited Veteran Aware organisation helping to provide and share best practice in NHS care for our armed forces community. As a veteran aware organisation, CWP is committed to delivering on the principles of the Armed Force Covenant and has a ‘Silver’ award with the MOD Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (DERS).

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £13 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

If you experience any technical difficulties or need help when making an application please contact our Recruitment Team on 01244 393100.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon.

Person specification

Qualifications

• Core professional qualification (e.g.: nursing; social work; OT etc.)
• Minimum Postgraduate qualification and accreditation in a specific therapeutic modality (e.g.: DBT, CBT, Family/Systemic Therapy)
• Knowledge and expertise in other therapeutic models
• MSc level training in a specific therapeutic modality
• Substantial experience in delivery of a specialist therapy within an adolescent eating disorder setting

Knowledge and Expertise

• Knowledge and expertise in working with adolescents with mental health problems
• Knowledge and expertise in the application of a specific therapeutic approach in a therapeutic setting
• Understanding of child and adolescent development within the context of the family
• Skills in the assessment of risk and crisis management
• Knowledge of legislation relevant to young people
• Knowledge and expertise in managing adolescents with eating disorders.
• Specific training in the treatment of eating disorders
• Evidence of participation in research and audit
• Experience of providing clinical consultation and supervision within a multidisciplinary team

Experience

• Minimum 3 years post qualification experience in Child and Adolescent Mental Health (CAMHS) and/or eating disorders services
• Evidence of developing professional services and networks
• Evidence of leading on the development of therapeutic programmes for young people and their families/carers with eating disorders
• Experience of audit and research

Employer certification / accreditation badges

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Name: Holly Ashton
Job title: Team Manager
Email address: [e-mail]
Telephone number: 01244393220
Additional information:

If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact [e-mail] or telephone [phone].

Giving you time to care, space to think and opportunity to grow

We are Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP). We provide health and care services for local people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health, and all-age disability care – including the provision of three GP surgeries.

We have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton and Liverpool. We also provide specialist services for the North West as a whole.

Our services are provided in partnership with commissioners, local authorities, voluntary and independent organisations, people who access our services, their carers and families. The Trust has over 14,500 members and employs more than 4,000 staff across 62 sites, serving a population of over one million people and highly specialist services for two million people.

We offer career opportunities to staff across a range of professions, including:

• Allied health professions - including occupational therapy, physiotherapy, podiatry, and speech and language therapy
• Medical - including psychiatry and general practice
• Pharmacy
• Clinical support roles
• Estates and facilities
• Support services roles - including HR, communications, ICT, finance, and more

At CWP, we believe in giving our staff the time to care, the space to think and the opportunity to grow.

With vacancies across a range of professions, wherever you’re at in your career journey, you’ll find something to suit you. So why not join our team today?