developmental psychology jobs

Job title: Therapeutic Practitioner

Hours: 37 ½ hours per week.

Salary: £38,000 - £55,000 dependent upon experience and qualifications

Location: Office Base Droitwich, Worcestershire (office based with some travel around the West Midlands)

Contract: Permanent

Annual Leave Entitlement: 26 days plus additional time off for office Christmas closure each year and a bonus day off for your birthday!

Closing date: 14th August

Interviews: 20th, 21st and 24th August

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. All successful applicants will be subject to fully Enhanced DBS.

About the Role

At Match Foster Care, we are proud to be an Ofsted-rated Outstanding Independent Fostering Agency, committed to delivering exceptional care and outcomes for children and young people.

We believe that fostering is more than providing a home; it is about creating safe, nurturing relationships where children can recover from trauma, build resilience and thrive. We are now looking to appoint an experienced Therapeutic Practitioner with a strong foundation in psychology to join our multidisciplinary team.

This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience of psychological assessment, therapeutic formulation and delivering evidence-informed interventions for children and young people. You will play a central role in embedding psychologically informed, trauma-responsive practice across the agency, supporting foster parents, social workers and children to better understand and respond to the impact of trauma, attachment difficulties and adverse childhood experiences.

The role is varied and rewarding, combining consultation, assessment, direct therapeutic work, training and multi-agency collaboration. Alongside supporting individual children and foster families, you will help shape the therapeutic culture of the organisation and contribute to the ongoing development of our service.

The role is primarily based at our Droitwich office, with regular travel to our Stoke-on-Trent office and to foster families across the surrounding areas.

About Us

Match Foster Care is responsible for the recruitment, assessment, training and support of foster parents in line with the Fostering Services (England) Regulations 2011, the National Minimum Standards and statutory guidance.

As an Ofsted Outstanding fostering agency, we pride ourselves on delivering high-quality, relationship-based services that place children at the centre of everything we do. Our multidisciplinary approach brings together social work and therapeutic expertise to help foster families provide safe, stable and nurturing homes where children can flourish.

Key Responsibilities

Consultation, Support and Therapeutic Practice

• Provide therapeutic consultation, guidance and reflective support to foster parents, supervising social workers and managers.
• Undertake therapeutic and psychological assessments to identify the emotional, behavioural and developmental needs of children and young people.
• Develop clear formulations and recommendations that inform care planning and therapeutic interventions.
• Support foster parents and professionals to understand children's behaviour through the lens of attachment, developmental trauma, neurodevelopment and life experiences.
• Contribute to the development of therapeutic support plans, behaviour strategies, de-escalation plans and safe care approaches.
• Offer practical, evidence-informed strategies that promote emotional regulation, placement stability and positive relationships.
• Work systemically with foster families and professionals to strengthen outcomes for children and young people.

Direct Work and Therapeutic Intervention

• Plan and deliver targeted, outcome-focused therapeutic interventions for children, young people and foster families.
• Use a range of evidence-informed therapeutic approaches appropriate to individual need, such as CBT, DDP-informed practice, play-based interventions, creative approaches and emotional regulation strategies.
• Support children and young people to develop emotional literacy, resilience, self-esteem and healthy coping strategies.
• Deliver focused pieces of therapeutic work in response to identified needs, including transitions, anxiety, trauma recovery, emotional wellbeing and relationship difficulties.
• Facilitate group-based interventions where appropriate to promote confidence, resilience and peer support.

Risk Management and Safeguarding

• Play an active role in safeguarding and risk management processes across the agency.
• Contribute to assessments relating to emotional wellbeing, self-harm, exploitation, trauma and other vulnerabilities.
• Develop proactive safety plans and therapeutic risk management strategies.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people at all times, escalating concerns appropriately.

Training and Development

• Design and deliver high-quality training to foster parents and staff on trauma, attachment, emotional wellbeing and therapeutic parenting.
• Contribute to the ongoing development of a skilled, confident and therapeutically informed workforce.

Multi-Agency Working

• Work collaboratively with social workers, education providers, health professionals and partner agencies.
• Contribute to care planning, reviews and professional meetings, ensuring the voice of the child remains central.
• Support foster families to access specialist services where appropriate.

General Duties and Expectations

• Work in accordance with all relevant legislation, statutory guidance and Match Foster Care policies.
• Maintain accurate, timely and high-quality records and reports.
• Attend team meetings, supervision and multidisciplinary forums.
• Demonstrate flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend working.
• Represent Match Foster Care professionally at all times.
• Maintain compliance with Health and Safety requirements.
• Undertake ongoing professional development and maintain current knowledge of evidence-based practice.
• Undertake any other duties appropriate to the role.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a suitable vehicle.
• Be willing and able to travel throughout the service area.

Our Commitment to Children and Young People

The successful applicant will be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, ensuring they experience stability, nurture and the opportunity to thrive within foster families.

Why Join Match Foster Care?

• Join an Ofsted Outstanding agency recognised for high-quality care and outcomes.
• Be part of a passionate, multidisciplinary, closed knit team.
• Work within an aspirational service that values relationships and creative thinking.
• Undertake a diverse and meaningful role, with the opportunity to influence both individual children and the wider service.

If you are interested, please contact us on 01905 770500 or request an application pack from admin@matchfostercare.co.uk

Pay: £38,000.00-£55,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Company pension
• Free parking
• On-site parking

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Droitwich, Worcestershire: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Application question(s):

• Are you available for interview on 20th, 21st or 24th August 2026.
• Do you hold a relevant degree qualification(s) and therapeutic training suitable for the role

Education:

• Bachelor's (required)

Experience:

• Relevant work: 3 years (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Willingness to travel:

• 50% (preferred)

Work Location: In person