Facilitators

Purpose of the EASE Research Study

The intervention, Early Adolescent Skills for Emotions (EASE), has been developed aims to reduce distress and improve wellbeing for young adolescents that are experiencing some difficulties with their thoughts and feelings at the moment.  EASE is for children with severe emotional distress, aged between 10-14 years old. The reason for this intervention is because in most of the settings where we work, there are no services available for children with severe emotional difficulties. And especially in areas or conflict, we expect the levels of emotional problems to be higher – hence the need for a easy-to-access psychological intervention.

EASE is comprised of seven group sessions for young adolescents and includes evidence-based techniques: psychoeducation, stress management (slow breathing), behavioural activation, problem solving and relapse prevention. There are also three group sessions for caregivers which include the following discrete strategies: psychoeducation, active listening, stress management (slow breathing), quality time, praise and showing interest in their child, caregiver self-care and relapse prevention for their child.  It is delivered by trained, non-specialist providers (i.e. people without a specialist degree or qualification in the mental health or health field).

The comparison group will be an enhanced treatment-as-usual programme, consisting of a one-session feedback and psychoeducation session for caregivers.

The current study in Lebanon will pilot the implementation of EASE to see whether this program is helpful for young adolescents in the communities in North Lebanon and to see how we may be able to improve the program to better help others in the future. This research programme will take place in several locations in the North and Akkar governorates of Lebanon.

We are seeking experienced MHPSS facilitators to deliver both the EASE and the enhanced treatment-as-usual programme with participating families. They will need to be available for training and implementation in Akkar and Tripoli governorates.

Main Tasks

EASE facilitators should have enough information and commitment to child safeguarding policy, sign the code of conduct, and all policies related to the respect of children rights, WCH will provide the necessary training and support regarding that.

Attend and participate in a 9-day training to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver both child and caregiver sessions

Work within a team and have a professional and ethical attitude towards all involved

Use feedback provided by supervisors to improve practice

Use the set guidelines to document sessions delivered, supervision sessions attended, and any adverse events occurring in the course of the intervention

Reflect in the notes taken a high level of objectivity and professionalism that portrays the real situation on the participants without possible impact of personal prejudgments or opinions.

Attend and participate in reflection meetings when needed

Enhanced treatment-as-usual facilitators should have enough information and commitment to child safeguarding policy, sign the code of conduct, and all policies related to the respect of children rights, WCH will provide the necessary training and support regarding that.

Attend and participate in a 3-day training to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver the single session

Work within a team and have a professional and ethical attitude towards all involved

Use feedback provided by supervisors to improve practice

Use the set guidelines to document sessions delivered, supervision sessions attended, and any adverse events occurring in the course of the intervention

Reflect in the notes taken a high level of objectivity and professionalism that portrays the real situation on the participants without possible impact of personal prejudgments or opinions.

Attend and participate in reflection meetings when needed

Knowledge and Experience

Fluent in Arabic.  Skills in English are a plus

At least 1 year of previous experience in facilitating PSS groups in Lebanon

At least 2 years experience working with children (teaching, tutoring, scouts, summer camps, or any other relevant activities)

At minimum must have completed high-school education. Completion of a bachelor-level degree is desirable.

Timeframe – EASE facilitators 

Training- 9 days of training scheduled between 20th June to 3rd July

Part time work from approximately July to December 2018

Full time work for several months in early 2019  

Refresher training in early 2019

Timeframe – Enhanced treatment-as-usual facilitators 

Training- 3 days of training scheduled September 2018, plus 1-2 days practice cases

Full time work for 1-2 weeks in October 2018

Full time work for several weeks in Early 2019

Refresher training early 2019