Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Qualifications that demonstrate a capacity to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level.
• Minimum second-class Bachelor’s Degree from a UK University or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject
• OR Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but with relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Desirable

• A training in a mental-health related profession (e.g. psychology, nursing, health visiting; social-work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special needs teaching, psychiatry, other psychotherapy, counselling).

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates an appreciation of the importance of a child’s first five years of life on their development and mental well-being
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children
• Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice with children aged 0-5.

Desirable

• Demonstrates an appreciation of the range of factors that can impact on an infant/young child’s developmental and emotional well-being.
• Demonstrates an understanding of under 5s services (such as, health visiting, family support, early help) and the need for a holistic approach
• Demonstrates knowledge of theory in relation to early child-development
• Competent use of other IT packages e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, RiO
• Knowledge of the Children’s Act, Mental Health Act, CPA legislation and national treatment guidelines

Experience

Essential

• Two years professional experience working with the development and wellbeing of children and young people or their families.
• Experience of working with safeguarding issues
• Experience of multi agency working and liaising across internal & external agencies
• Experience of children aged 0-5 and their development in a personal, voluntary or observational capacity

Desirable

• Experience of working with children age 0-5 and their families (such as, a family support team, preschool, nursery, under 5s CAMHS)
• Experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health, development and wellbeing of infants age 0-5.
• Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting.

Skills & Ability

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with young children and their carers
• Ability to adapt communication style according to the varying needs of families
• Ability to maintain a reflective stance in emotive/challenging interactions with children and their carers
• Ability to use supervision to reflect on practice
• Ability to organise own time and diary
• Ability to follow policy and make proposal for change
• Ability to maintain accurate records
• Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (Level: GOOD)

Desirable

• Ability to adopt an observational stance, particularly in relation to babies and very young children.
• Understanding of evidence based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Closing Date: 31 October 2025

How to Apply;

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online for this job