Research and Programme Intern- Early Years Parenting Unit

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Research and Programme Intern- Early Years Parenting Unit

Job Description

The Anna Freud Centre (AFC)

As a Centre of Practice the AFC is dedicated to developing innovative and effective treatments and services for children and families. The Centre provides specialist help for children and young people in emotional distress, helping to put them back on track for a brighter future. As a Centre of Learning AFC pioneers training and research dedicated to improving understanding of children and young people’s emotional problems. The Centre is affiliated to UCL with which it offers three master’s degree programmes (one of which is also offered with Yale University) and a clinical doctorate and undertakes collaborative research studies.

Overview of the post

The Early Years Parenting Unit (EYPU) is an innovative therapeutic service, made possible through grants from the Department for Education. The EYPU provides specialist support to parents with personality difficulties or a diagnosis of Personality Disorder, and their children under five years of age.

The EYPU uses Mentalization Based Therapy (MBT), an evidence-based treatment model, which encourages parents and carers to identify and manage their frequently overwhelming emotions and relationship difficulties. Treatment is provided in an intensive, multifamily approach and includes individual and group MBT sessions and parenting work. Up to 10 families attend the EYPU at a time for 18 months each.

Alongside the therapeutic intervention, a battery of evaluation and outcome measures is administered at baseline, midway and end of treatment. Measures include (but are not limited to) the following:

·  Bayley scales of infant/toddler development

·  Children’s Global Assessment Scale (CGAS)

·  Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and Generalised Anxiety Disorder Assessment (GAD)

·  Parent Development Interview (PDI)

·  Parenting Stress Index (PSI)

·  Strange Situation Procedure (SSP)

·  Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ)

Purpose of the Post

The Research and Programme Intern will have the opportunity to administer evaluation measures and support the Senior Research Assistant to maintain the evaluation database, transcribe audio interviews and enter questionnaire and other data. The post holder will also be alongside therapists providing childcare; supporting children’s play and helping with the day-to-day running of the unit.

Duties and responsibilities

·  Administering regular evaluation measures with parents and children

·  Working with EYPU therapists to provide play opportunities and childcare while parents are in sessions

·  Preparing verbatim transcriptions for coding and analysis

·  Data entry of questionnaires and other evaluation data

·  Helping to set up PowerPoint and video presentations and video and photographic equipment

·  Editing films on the Microsoft film editing software

·  Maintaining regular communication and contact with the Senior RA and other members of the team

·  Maintaining the highest standard of professional conduct and record keeping in accordance with AFC policies and procedures

·  Assisting with any other duties of a similar nature that are requested by staff members

Opportunities

·  Observing clinical practice and contributing to an innovative therapeutic programme for families in need

·  Gaining experience of working closely with children, infants and challenging adults

·  Gaining experience of administering a variety of research measures and contributing to the running of a research programme

·  Taking part in reflective team meetings and group supervision sessions

·  Travel and lunch expenses paid in line with our Voluntary Roles’ Expenses Policy

Other

·  To actively follow and promote AFC policies, including Equal Opportunities.

·  To maintain an awareness and observation of fire, health and safety regulations.

·  The welfare of the children, young people and vulnerable adults who come into contact with our services either directly or indirectly is paramount and all staff have a responsibility to ensure that best practice is followed, including compliance with statutory requirements.

To be noted

This is not an exhaustive list of tasks - the post-holder will be asked to undertake any other ad hoc tasks commensurate with the scope and purpose of this post.

This job description reflects the present requirements of the post, and as duties and responsibilities change/develop, the job description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with the post-holder.

The post-holder will be required to have an Enhanced CRB disclosure which the Centre will apply for.

January 2016