Perinatal Parent Infant Psychotherapist

The opportunity has arisen for a suitably qualified Parent-Infant Psychotherapist post within the KC Community Perinatal Mental Health Service.

This position is open to applicants who have a substantial post-qualification experience, however, appropriately qualified candidates with demonstrable expertise and experience in perinatal mental health who have less than significant years post qualification experience, may also be considered.

The parent-infant psychotherapist will have a significant role in contributing to the specialist interventions for families offered extended period of care and providing psychotherapeutic treatment promoting the quality of the relationship between the mother and her infant.

Aligning to the Long-Term Plan, our service is now offering a review at 12-months post natal for provisions of Extended Period of Care up until 24-months post-natal. Furthermore, we are also offering Partner's Screening for mental health needs in significant others and additional signposting.

The Team provides a Monday-Friday, 9.00-5.00 service based at the South Kensington and Chelsea Mental Health Centre, 1 Nightingale Place/Community visits and Home Visits . The successful applicant would be expected to have the flexibility to work occasional extended opening hours to facilitate early or late clinic /community appointments, home visits or training.

The applicant must have excellent clinical skills, and experience with a wide variety of patient groups across the whole life span. In addition to the focus on maternal mental health, specialist perinatal mental health services also consider the context and the infant and parent-infant relationship.

Applicants must have a proven ability to formulate, document, implement and review plans for the psychotherapeutic treatment and management of women with a full range of clinical problems. They should demonstrate and ability to thoroughly assess risk, to formulate safe and effective risk management plans and document these clearly and effectively.

We are looking for an experienced parent-infant psychotherapist with excellent interpersonal skills. They must be keen to work pro-actively and be confident and motivated as well as flexible and able to show initiative. They must be robust and resourceful and willing to work in an environment which can be demanding and challenging. Appropriate training, support and regular supervision will be provided by the Lead Parent-Infant Psychotherapist and by the MDT, as well as group supervisions 'Holding the Baby in Mind'. We expect applicants to have experience of managing their own caseloads in a complex multidisciplinary context. We also expect applicants to have experience of participating in formal child protection procedures.

The team works closely with Maternity Services on site as well with local community and inpatient mental health services, primary care services, social services and a wide range of other statutory and third sector organisations.