Skills Coach

Skills Coach (Full Time, Fixed Term – 12 months)

We are seeking a Skills Coach to join The Bristol Therapeutic Support Service (BTSS). This 12‑month full‑time role supports children and young people in foster care, residential homes, and those transitioning back to family or leaving care.

BTSS aims to promote stability and strengthen relationships for children in foster care, children’s residential homes, return‑to‑family placements and young people leaving care. The team delivers therapeutic, emotional, educational, practical and parenting support to children and carers on an individual, carer/child and group basis.

• Staying Close Team – supports young people leaving children’s homes or supported accommodation as they transition into adulthood, providing intensive, holistic support before and after transition.
• Short Term Stability Team – promotes stability for young people in care in their homes (foster or residential) by providing 3–6 month support.
• Intensive Support Children/Adolescent Teams – provides longer‑term support for children at high risk of instability, including those with multiple home moves or significant school difficulties.
• Family Network Team – supports stable transitions for children in care to return home to their parents, with supported reunification plans.

• Support a young person/care leaver to develop coping and resilience skills.
• Facilitate self‑care strategies and emotional/behavioural regulation techniques.
• Teach relationships skills, practical life skills and problem‑solving skills.
• Apply therapeutic knowledge and interventions tailored to each individual.
• Work closely with team members and other professionals involved in the young person’s care.

• Sound knowledge of attachment theory and the impact of developmental trauma.
• Background in therapeutic work with young people.
• Dynamic, creative and enjoys challenges.
• Strong teamwork and communication skills.

• Hybrid working arrangements – blend home and office work.
• Flexible working and flexitime.
• Local Government Pension Scheme membership.
• Generous annual leave allowance.
• Regular supervision, training and development opportunities.

• Role requires an Enhanced DBS Check.
• Disability Confident employer – guaranteed interview for eligible applicants.
• For permanent employees, this is a secondment. For fixed‑term staff, the secondment will not extend beyond the end of the current contract. Casual or agency workers are offered a fixed‑term contract.

To be considered, demonstrate how you meet each of the essential criteria in the Person Specification. When applications exceed short‑listing capacity, desirable criteria may also be considered.

References will be requested once the interview stage is reached for candidates requiring a DBS check.

For more details, refer to the Job Description and Person Specification or contact Louise Clark.