Triage Practitioner, Ashford, Kent - Kent Therapeutic Alliance

Background and Job purpose

Salus has been commissioned by NHS Kent and Medway to deliver the Kent Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Therapeutic Alliance (KTA). The Alliance brings together a range of established partners to provide evidence-based, effective, and innovative support for children and young people in Kent with moderate emotional wellbeing and mental health needs.

This service supports those within the ‘Getting Help’ and ‘Further Support’ areas of the i-THRIVE model. You can find more about the i-THRIVE framework here. Our aim is to provide a safe, co-produced, accessible, easy to understand, connected, effective and responsive offer to meet the needs of children, young people and their families.

Our aim is to develop and deliver an accessible, needs-led, co-produced, dynamic, proactive and outcome focused service that offers flexibility and choice to children and families in need of support. This will be achieved through a combination of 1-1, group-based, self-help and family based interventions.

Job Purpose
This role is essential to the smooth operation of the KTA, acting as a first point of contact through the Referral and Access Point. You will play a vital role in screening referrals, conducting triage and initial assessments, and ensuring timely, appropriate responses to children, young people, and families in need.

The role involves direct liaison with referrers, families, and partner agencies to gather key information, clarify needs, and support access to the right interventions. You will also contribute to the collection of outcome data and support accurate, effective data management — all of which are critical to maintaining high-quality service delivery and continuous improvement.

Contact

For more information, please contact Sally Williamson on 07725 595722

Closing date: N/A
Interview Date: TBC

Job Description/Principal Accountabilities

Principal Accountabilities

Support the Service Manager/Clinical Lead in the development and implementation of an effective Referral and Access Point, ensuring clear referral pathways and equitable acces
Manage the processing of incoming referrals, conducting triage and initial assessments
Lead the triage process to assess the urgency and nature of referrals, ensuring that children and young people receive the appropriate level of support
Conduct initial assessments for new referrals to identify needs and appropriate interventions in line with the I Thrive model
Support the service manager in developing and implementing efficient referral management processes to streamline operation
Collaborate with external partners and stakeholders to ensure a comprehensive understanding of the referral pathway
Offer consultation to potential referrers, children and young people and signpost to appropriate support and services.
Ensure services are accessible, inclusive, trauma-informed, and culturally competent.
Build and maintain strong partnerships with schools, children, families, schools, other agencies and local services to ensure that the Salus service is effective.
Ensure risk assessments and escalation procedures are followed.
Liaise closely with the safeguarding lead where required.
Ensure robust data collection, service reporting, and performance monitoring in line with KPIs and commissioning requirements.

Professional

Ensure maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating bodies and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the relevant departments.
Ensure that confidentiality is always protected.
Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed, and reviewed on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.
Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.
Keep all records up to date in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plans maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.
Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

General

Support the collection of data and facilitate data flow.
Support development of best practice within the service.
Maintain up-to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, and procedures in relation to children and young people’s mental health.
All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.
It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.
This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder considering service development.

	ESSENTIAL	DESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONS	Professional practice based qualification in related area e.g. mental health, applied psychology, a therapeutic modality
EXPERIENCE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES	Experience of delivering support for children and young people with emotional or mental health difficulties Experience of the delivery of specific therapeutic interventions to children, young people or their families (e.g. solution focused brief therapy or CBT training gained through accredited courses and trainers (e.g. OCTC, BABCP, CYP IAPT or IAPT training) Experience of conducting triage screening and comprehensive Biopsychosocial assessments and risk assessments Experience of offering advice and guidance Experience of effective partnership working with schools, statutory partners and VCSE in Kent Strong organisational ability including ability to plan workload and manage own time effectively A high level of written and verbal presentation skills and ICT skills Experience of data capture, reporting and evaluation	Experience of acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead for an organisation, service or team
KNOWLEDGE	Knowledge of issues affecting children, young people, their schools and their communities Knowledge of emotional well-being and mental health for children and young people Knowledge of trauma informed practice An understanding of the evidence base underpinning clinical and non-clinical interventions An understanding of Safeguarding and Data Protection legislation A good understanding of agencies, providers, support and amenities available for families in Kent Experience of using data for both reporting and improving service delivery	Knowledge of Salesforce or an alternative Case Management and Reporting System
ATTRIBUTES	An ability to remain calm whilst working under pressure and within tight timescales on sensitive and confidential issues To be creative and proactive, able to use initiative and make sound judgements An ability to deal with a number of tasks at once and to be flexible with work routines A positive outlook and a result focused approach To work effectively as part of a team
Other	Car owner/driver essential due to the geographical area.

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Job vacancy