Services for Therapists Overview
FPM have employed social workers, mental health nurses, systemic practitioners, psychologists, forensic psychologists, and practitioners with substantial experience in adolescent mental health as FFT therapists/supervisors and in previous years as MST therapists, supervisors.
At present we have 3 FFT teams and we recruit staff to these. To become a FFT therapist, you undertake training in FFT which is provided by FFT Inc in the UK, either in person or online. The initial orientation training is a two-day course which takes staff through FFT core constructs and intervention techniques. Didactic materials include handouts and DVD examples of FFT sessions. Therapists use the FFT model, assessment protocols and additionally learn how to use the Clinical Service System (CSS), which is a case management system to prepare and review your clinical work.
Therapists start seeing cases immediately after completing the initial clinical training, but they are supported by weekly group supervision. Alongside the weekly clinical supervision and consultation, there are skills training sessions and case reviews to assure model adherence. Risk and safeguarding issues are considered and discussed weekly. Individual supervision is added for new staff joining an experienced team.
We know that teams will progress more quickly when they are supported by experienced staff. We engineer opportunities for contacts through the company and the sharing of resources so that staff can attain a good level of competence within a 9–12-month period.
Depending upon the setting it is likely that therapists will need to engage in local on-site training required by the children’s services/Local Authority. This will include local safeguarding training and child protection arrangements, IT set up, data security and data protection and local induction. We will also ensure that you are able to use the PeopleSafe app for lone working which enables live tracking of location and safety features for you to use to mitigate risks and assure your personal safety.
Quality assurance and fidelity ratings for the FFT team and for individual therapists are generated through review of the CSS system by the FFT Consultant. Progression is monitored carefully and if additional training or support is required this is offered throughout the time therapists are working with us.
We incorporate questionnaires in our clinical practice, and we will train you in how to use and score them so the information gained can contribute to clinical assessments and practice.
FPM provides professional people an opportunity to train in a well-defined licensed evidence-based model of working.
As a therapist you will be surrounded by other professional people with different backgrounds who all bring some clinical expertise around the table. CPD and professional supervision is provided inhouse as we have qualified supervisors and clinical/forensic psychologists as staff members.
FPM provided MST in the past and is promoting itself to attract contracts in this model again but now we have 3 FFT teams who can exchange their experience and expertise.
Training and career opportunities as a FFT therapist
FFT therapists have professional qualifications as social workers, mental health nurses, occupational therapists, or in clinical/forensic psychology. Some workers have a master’s in psychology and want to train as a therapist and work therapeutically with children and families.
In the first year of FFT it is anticipated that the worker will learn the skills and gain experience to attain competence in the model, as demonstrated by FFT clinical scores. There is training provided by FFT LLC and weekly supervision and paperwork that plans and review sessions and is a learning tool to use the different techniques in the phases of the model.
By Year Two, the FFT therapist will be likely competent in the model and will reach satisfactory adherence scores. This will allow to be considered during the appraisal process for an incremental pay rise.
In newly established teams, there might also be the opportunity to apply to become an FFT supervisor if the professional qualifications are suitable for a supervisor role.
Year two
If a FFT therapist applies and is successfully selected to train to become an FFT supervisor and moves to a leadership and managerial position, the therapist will move to a start pay scale of supervisor level
During this year direct consultation and supervision of the supervisor is organised by FFT LLC and with specific supervisor training. The training will include a 3-week externship either remotely or in the USA to become a signed off FFT supervisor.
During this first year the supervisor in training acts as a supervisor for the team and organises team meetings, staffing and 1-2-1 supervisions. They are also required to build local stakeholder links to secure a steady appropriate referral stream together with the programme manager.
Year three and beyond
After one year training and experience and being signed off as an FFT supervisor, the team moves in year 3 and the support from FFT LLC remains but in monthly supervisions and a 1 day site visit training by the consultant. The local FFT supervisor takes on all responsibilities as a clinical supervisor and manager of the team. In some teams, they receive additional support from a programme manager and data/business staff member.
All clinical staff are supported in training to retain their professional registrations. Additional training in a more advanced training courses is possible and discussed on a one to one basis. FPM has clear guidelines of support in such cases with some financial support and study leave allocation.
