Childrens Service Principal Therapeutic Practice Lead

Job summary

About the Role

Nurture Health and Care is recruiting a Childrens Service Principal Therapeutic Practice Lead, who will act as the Operational Deputy to the Registered Manager within our Intensive Community Support Service based in Peterborough.

This is a senior therapeutic practice leadership role. The post holder will ensure that therapeutic thinking becomes therapeutic practice by embedding psychological formulations, EHCP outcomes, health plans, Youth Justice actions and multidisciplinary recommendations into everyday care.

The Principal Therapeutic Practice Lead is the guardian of therapeutic practice across the service, ensuring relational continuity, workforce rotas that embed relationships and consistent implementation of formulation-led support.

The role is based in Peterborough. The vacancy may be advertised across Cambridgeshire and surrounding county areas to reach a wider pool of suitable applicants, but the work location will be Peterborough with travel across Cambridgeshire and surrounding areas as required.

The role requires the post holder to be flexible to meet service needs and to participate in the management on-call rota.

Main duties of the job

Key Responsibilities -You will:

• Act as Operational Deputy to the Registered Manager.
• Lead implementation of formulations, EHCPs and therapeutic care plans.
• Coordinate changes arising from psychology, psychiatry, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, education and health reviews.
• Provide professional leadership to Senior Intensive Support Practitioners and ISP.
• Lead rota management and monitor therapeutic quality and relational continuity across all shifts.
• Support safeguarding, governance, quality improvement and learning reviews.
• Work collaboratively with commissioners, families, NHS, education, social care and Youth Justice partners.
• Translate advice from the Clinical Wraparound Team into practical interventions.
• Create psychologically safe teams that value curiosity, reflection and learning.
• Champion relational continuity through stable staffing and therapeutic relationships.

We Are Looking For Someone With

• A relevant health, therapeutic, social care or education qualification, or equivalent experience.
• Experience of rota development and staffing solutions that prioritise relational continuity.
• Experience of trauma-informed, developmental trauma and formulation-led practice.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge.
• Excellent partnership working skills.
• Operational deputy or senior practice lead experience is desirable.
• Experience of coaching or mentoring others is desirable.

About us

Nurture Health and Care believes relationships are the primary therapeutic intervention. Every interaction has the potential to increase safety, stability, trust and hope. Our purpose is simple: Nurturing you to nurture others.

Pay and Benefits

In addition to your salary, Nurture offers

• A structured induction and full competency-based training programme.
• Paid safeguarding, trauma-informed care and specialist practice training.
• Monthly protected development time.
• Regular supervision, reflective practice and professional support.
• Access to a competency passport and professional development portfolio.
• Opportunities for progression into senior practitioner, therapeutic practice, leadership and specialist roles.
• Annual leave entitlement of 5.6 weeks per annum, pro rata for part-time.
• Pension contributions in line with statutory and organisational arrangements.
• Employee wellbeing support.
• A supportive, values-led team culture.

Important Location Information

This role is based in Peterborough. The advert may be posted across Cambridgeshire and surrounding county areas for recruitment reach only. Candidates must be able to work from Peterborough and travel locally where required.

Safer Recruitment

Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references, enhanced DBS clearance, right-to-work checks and completion of pre-employment requirements.

Details

• Date posted: 30 July 2026
• Pay scheme: Other
• Salary: £49,387 a year Starting salary
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: E0446-26-0011
• Job locations: Nurture Health and Care Ltd, Peterborough City Centre, Peterborough, PE1 1HF, United Kingdom, Nutholt Lane, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4EE, United Kingdom, County Road, March, PE15 8NQ, United Kingdom, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, CB23 6EA, United Kingdom, Market Square, Cambridge, CB2 3QJ, United Kingdom, St Mary’s Street, Huntingdon, PE29 3TN, United Kingdom, Doddington Road, Wellingborough, NN8 1BP, United Kingdom, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP, United Kingdom, North Brink, Wisbech, PE13 1JR, United Kingdom, Parkland Gateway, Corby, NN17 1QG, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Childrens Service Principal Therapeutic Practice Lead (Operational Deputy to the Registered Manager) -Intensive Community Support Service Peterborough

Supporting Young People from Puberty to 25 Years

Location: Peterborough

Salary: £49,387 annual salary, dependent on experience and contracted hours

Hours: 40 hours per week, with flexibility to meet service needs and participate in the management on-call rota

Contract: Permanent

Reports to: Registered Manager

Responsible For:Therapeutic leadership, relational continuity, implementation of the formulation and ensuring a loving family home.

Purpose:Operational Deputy to the Registered Manager and guardian of therapeutic practice

Start Date: From September 2026, subject to pre-employment checks

About Nurture

Nurture Health and Care exists to support people, professionals and systems to move forward safely, compassionately and with a positive experience. Our purpose, Nurturing you to nurture others, is realised through psychologically safe leadership, relational practice and evidence-informed care.

Job Purpose

The Principal Therapeutic Practice Lead is the senior practice leader within the Intensive Community Support Service and the Operational Deputy to the Registered Manager. The post holder ensures that therapeutic thinking becomes therapeutic practice by embedding psychological formulations, EHCP outcomes, health plans, Youth Justice actions and multidisciplinary recommendations into everyday care. The role is the guardian of therapeutic practice, ensuring relational continuity, workforce rotas that embed relationships and consistent implementation of formulation-led support.

Leadership Expectations

Be the guardian of therapeutic practice across the service.

Provide professional leadership to Senior Intensive Support Practitioners.

Create psychologically safe teams that value curiosity, reflection and learning.

Ensure every child's formulation is understood and translated into daily practice.

Champion relational continuity through stable staffing and therapeutic relationships.

Deputise for the Registered Manager for regulatory compliance

Translate advice from the Clinical Wraparound Team into practical interventions.

Model Nurture values in every interaction.

Key Responsibilities

Act as Operational Deputy to the Registered Manager.

Lead implementation of formulations, EHCPs and therapeutic care plans.

Coordinate changes arising from psychology, psychiatry, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, education and health reviews.

Provide professional leadership to Senior ISPs and ISPs.

Responsible for rota management and monitor therapeutic quality and relational continuity across all shifts.

Support safeguarding, governance, quality improvement and learning reviews.

Work collaboratively with commissioners, families, NHS, education, social care and Youth Justice across Cambridgeshire.

In addition to your salary, Nurture offers:

A structured induction and full competency-based training programme.

Paid safeguarding, trauma-informed care and specialist practice training.

Monthly protected development time.

Regular supervision, reflective practice and professional support.

Access to a competency passport and professional development portfolio.

Opportunities for progression into senior practitioner, therapeutic practice, leadership and specialist roles.

Annual leave entitlement of 5.6 weeks per annum.

Pension contributions in line with statutory and organisational arrangements.

Employee wellbeing support and access to a supportive, values-led team culture.

Start Date

We are aiming for successful candidates to start from September 2026, subject to satisfactory references, enhanced DBS clearance, right-to-work checks and completion of pre-employment requirements.

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis, and early applications are encouraged.

Success in the First 12 Months

Embed formulation-led practice across every shift.

Establish stable relational staffing teams.

Ensure consistent implementation of EHCPs and therapeutic plans.

Develop confident Senior Intensive Support Practitioners.

Embed reflective practice and workforce coaching.

Demonstrate measurable improvements in stability, engagement and wellbeing.

Our Promise to You

You will be supported by the Registered Manager, Head of Service, Medical Director and Clinical Wraparound Team through executive supervision, leadership coaching, protected reflective practice, continuing professional development and a culture where learning is valued above blame.