Senior Practitioner - Changing our Direction

Kids is launching an exciting new project in Wakefield called Changing Our Direction.

This innovative service will support parents of young people who are exhibiting self-harming behaviour, particularly where this is having an impact on the whole family.

This is a great opportunity to work nationally across Kids, liaising with colleagues in all departments while gaining new skills and experience.

About the Role

Overall purpose of the role:

To deliver evidence-based training through the Families Learning About Self-Harm (FLASH) programme (training will be provided).

You will:

  • Establish mechanisms for parents to access peer support.
  • Support parents to better understand self-harm behaviours and build their resilience to help them support their young people.
  • Work in partnership with parents and in collaboration with voluntary and statutory organisations.
  • Work directly with CAMHS regarding referrals into the service and agree next steps for support.
  • Deliver the FLASH training programme to parents.
  • Establish peer support sessions following completion of the FLASH training.
  • Provide telephone support to parents where needed.
  • Maintain accurate records and monthly statistics of contacts and workload.
  • Actively participate in evaluating the service, including report writing and gathering the views of service users and partner agencies.
  • Extend opportunities for parental participation, including marketplace events, an annual parent conference, family events, information days, and training opportunities.
  • Actively promote the service through social media, leaflet drops, mail-outs and the Local Offer.
  • Engage in regular supervision and continuous professional development.
  • Adhere to all Kids policies and procedures, particularly Safeguarding, Health and Safety, confidentiality, and the Employee Handbook.
  • Attend meetings and support similar work within the region.
  • Maintain high professional standards of practice and safeguarding in all work with disabled children, young people and their families.
  • Keep up to date with key Health and Safety policies and good practice, including undertaking risk assessments where required.

Person Specification

To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:

  • Experience working with parents and carers of children and young people with SEND.
  • Ability to empower parents and carers to ensure their voices are heard in an appropriate, sensitive and supportive manner.
  • Experience developing collaborative relationships with a range of agencies and stakeholders, building respect, trust and confidence.
  • Experience establishing strong links with internal and external professionals across statutory, private and voluntary organisations.
  • Ability to work independently, creatively and use your own initiative.
  • Knowledge of safeguarding and commitment to promoting the welfare of children and young people.
  • Knowledge of services available locally and nationally to disabled children, young people and their families.
  • Ability to build effective professional relationships with a wide range of professionals, including senior managers and commissioners.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including confident presentation to varied audiences.
  • Ability to write reports, provide feedback, and produce monitoring and statistical information.
  • Ability to plan, organise and evaluate engagement and participation activities, including events, training and meetings.
  • Strong influencing, advocacy, caring and negotiating skills.
  • Confidence delivering workshops and information sessions.
  • Understanding of, and commitment to, Equal Opportunities.

Education & Other Requirements

  • Preferably educated to NVQ Level 3 (or equivalent) in a relevant area.
  • Proficient in ICT including email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, social media and creating promotional materials (training and induction provided).
  • Car driver with use of own vehicle.
  • Willingness to work occasional evenings (within designated hours).

Further details:

Location: Hybrid - Castleford West Yorkshire

Salary: £10,494.67 per annum

Hours: 16 hours per week (flexible working can be discussed). Two positions are available.

For full details of the role and responsibilities, please see the Job Description attached.

Please note: We may close this vacancy early should we receive sufficient applications, so early application is encouraged.

Senior Practitioner - Changing our Direction

Castleford, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom

WF10 3UA

£10,494.67 per year
Permanent - Part-time
Posted 6 days ago
Closing date: 25/03/2026
Job reference: LM1509367CasSIFP
Documents
Senior Practitioner Changing Our Direction Feb 2026.pdf
Kids Benefits Nov 2025_V1.2.pdf
Kids Strategy.pdf
Safer Recruitment and Selection Policy and Procedures.pdf
Safeguarding.pdf