Clinical Psychologist & Head of Therapy
Clinical Psychologist & Head of Therapy
Location: Horsham, West SussexContract Type: Permanent, part-time, term time only
Hours: **3 days with the possibility to increase in the future
Actual Annual Salary: £29,128.41 - £33,641.87
Start Date: Summer term
Aurora Vincent House School
As part of our growth strategy, Aurora are really pleased to be opening a brand new SEND Secondary School in 2025 in the heart of Horsham, West Sussex for young neurodivergent students aged 11-16. Most of our students are coming to us from mainstream education to have access to an adapted National Curriculum delivered in small classes with a focus on meeting their sensory needs and support for their emotional wellbeing.Many of our students would have previously camouflaged at school or had freeze/faun responses or sometimes flight; Vincent House School will provide an accepting and safe, welcoming place for young people to thrive.
The Role:
This is an outstanding opportunity for a practitioner to have a significant impact on culture and practice within a new provision and be integral to the strategic development of the school. Through your role you would support the school to be: neuro-informed and neuro-affirmative
practicing an integrated therapeutic offerproviding an excellent universal offer based on high quality training for all staff
evidence based but innovative in approaches
holistically supportive of students and their families
trained in supporting female students whose neurodivergence invariably presents differently to that of their male peers
be able to provide a safe environment for those young people who may be a danger to themselves due to high anxiety
trauma-informed in their practice
working collaboratively with CAMHS and external support agencieseffective in promoting attitudes that value young people with SEND as individuals with a right to be treated with respectYou would do this in a transdisciplinary model with other senior leaders to enable our students to thrive now and in the future. You would also lead the therapy offer from the school which will involve the deployment and line management of any additional therapists from different disciplines as required and in liaison with the school SENDCO.
You would also have the support of the Aurora Group’s clinical teams and coordinators.
Skills and QualificationsSuccessful candidates are likely to demonstrate:knowledge and ability to promote the dignity and individuality of young people by encouraging effective communication, making choices and reducing support needs.
experience working with students with a diagnosis of ASC, Developmental Trauma, and comorbid mental health conditions
previous successful support of neurodivergent students
a willingness to continue their in-depth knowledge and understanding of neurodiversity
experience of supporting families with children and young people with SEND.
an in-depth knowledge of the Positive Behaviour Support Framework and uses a trauma informed approachIt is also preferable for candidates to have experience: of working with SEND provisions
of supporting students with ARFID and disordered eatingworking with students aged 11-16
Candidates must: have a Post graduate clinical qualification in Psychology
be registered with Health & Care Profession Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologistbe enthusiastic to work alongside professional educators ensuring integrated therapyWe offer:
Fully funded training and qualifications, peer supervision and reflective practice within our growing group of qualified Psychologists.
Opportunities to be involved and lead in research that will support our students and the wider neurodivergent community.
Opportunities to work collaboratively with others schools, forums, local initiatives and a wide range of external agencies.
A rare opportunity to be part of a team creating a new school and culture that will change the lives of many young people and their families within the wider community.Interested applicants can contact Liz to arrange an informal meeting/call with the Headteacher How to Apply:Please complete an online application form in full.
Successful applicants will be subject to pre-employment safeguarding checks including an enhanced disclosure and barring service (DBS) check.
The post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the Aurora Group is therefore permitted to ask job applicants to declare all convictions and cautions (including those which are "spent" unless they are "protected" under the DBS filtering rules) in order to assess their suitability to work with children.
The Aurora Group is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the children and young adults in our care and is a disability confident and equal opportunities employer.This advert could be taken down at any point in time without prior notice if the position is filled or we receive a sufficient number of applications.
Please note that candidates that are shortlisted might be subject to an online search.