Job summary
An NHSE funded training post as part of the CYP Psychological Trainings (formerly CYP-IAPT) which involves some time working as a Practitioner in Family Mental Health Team and some time studying with UCL/Anna Freud undertaking a programme of training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.
Our service has an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Trainings: Therapy Trainee (CBT) to join our team as part of the NHS England (NHSE) funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programmes.
We are seeking highly motivated and skilled candidates who are enthusiastic about making a difference to children and young people's mental health through evidence-based interventions based on NICE Guideline recommended treatment.
This government-funded initiative promotes the growth and skill of the child mental health workforce to meet much needed demand. NHSE covers salary and training costs for a 1-year position, allowing services to employ trainees to support specialist pathways to bridge the gaps in CYP mental health support.
You will be committed to the CYP Psychological Training Programme core principles:
Accessibility, accountability, participation, awareness and evidence-based practice and in providing an inclusive and effective service for children and young people, along with a dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion.
More information about the course content and the different modalities can be found on the Anna Freud webpage:Anna Freud website
Main duties of the job
This intensive training post will equip the post-holder to provide interventions for children, young people or families using the core principles of the CYP Psychological Training Programme and consistent with the evidence base in the area of cognitive behavioural therapy.
The post-holder will work in the service, for at least 2.5 days of the week using the newly developed skills whilst attending the training programme or undertaking self-study days for the remaining days, as required by the education provider.
The post holder will hold an appropriate training case load and complete the necessary assignments to meet the course requirements.
About us
The Family Mental Health Team (FMHT) is a CAMHS team working with children and families aged up to 18. We are an MDT providing interventions to young people and families with a variety of mental health presentations (anxiety, low mood, challenging behaviours, including more complex and chronic mental health presentations).
FMHT provides evidence-based CBT and parenting interventions to children and families with mild to moderate mental health concerns via:
o Assessment and formulation of mild to moderate mental health concernso Time-limited evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapyo Working with carer(s) and school whenever required and appropriate
FMHT CAMHS works closely with several partners in and outside the boroughs of Barnet, Haringey, Enfield, and Islington. It is likely that the post holder will need to work alongside other services and professionals such as schools, local authority, children services and the voluntary sector also.
The position will be based at Tavistock & Portman Clinic in Swiss Cottage and an outreach location in Bounds Green. Successful candidates will also be expected to travel to Anna Freud in Central London (Rodney St, N1 9JH) for teaching during the training year.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please review the additional documents for more information on the role: person specification and other employment documents below.
Please note:We reserve the right to close the advert early if we get a large number of applications, so it is good to get your submission in early.
The successful applicant will need to have been accepted by both UCL and the Tavistock, so do make sure you meet uni requirements before applying. Direct UCL application link: Direct UCL application link
More information about the course content and the different modalities can be found on the Anna Freud webpage:Anna Freud website
There is also a useful training FAQ section for prospective candidates: Prospective Trainees_ CYP IAPT Therapy Programme FAQ
Deadline for candidates to be appointed by services: 17th November 2025
Course start date: 19th January 2026
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please review the additional documents for more information on the role: person specification and other employment documents below.
Please note:We reserve the right to close the advert early if we get a large number of applications, so it is good to get your submission in early.
The successful applicant will need to have been accepted by both UCL and the Tavistock, so do make sure you meet uni requirements before applying. Direct UCL application link: Direct UCL application link
More information about the course content and the different modalities can be found on the Anna Freud webpage:Anna Freud website
There is also a useful training FAQ section for prospective candidates: Prospective Trainees_ CYP IAPT Therapy Programme FAQ
Deadline for candidates to be appointed by services: 17th November 2025
Course start date: 19th January 2026
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum second-class Bachelor's Degree or equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc);
- OR Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but have relevant professional experience are still encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Desirable
- Previous training in a mental-health related profession (e.g. psychology, nursing, health visiting, social work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special needs teaching, psychiatry, psychotherapy, counselling, CWP, EMHP and low intensity therapies)
- Proven record of previous academic attainment
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- 2 or more years of experience working within children and young people in a mental health setting Experience of multi-agency and/or multi-disciplinary working and liaising across internal and external agencies
- Experience of multi-agency and/or multi-disciplinary working and liaising across internal and external agencies
- Experience of participating in clinical supervision (individual/group)
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a CBT framework and/or using CBT informed interventions
- A year or more experience working within a CBT framework and/or using CBT informed interventions (e.g. PWP, CWP, EMHP and Parent Trainer)
- Experience of assessing and managing risk and safeguarding issues
Skills
Essential
- Ability to maintain a reflective stance in emotive/challenging interactions with children and their carers
- Ability to work in a collaborative and respectful manner with children, young people and their families
- Ability to personally manage sensitive and potentially emotionally distressing caseload material
- Ability to reflect on own practice (in clinical supervision and practice tutor groups with course peers
- Ability to follow policy and clinical governance procedures and make proposals for change
- Ability to maintain accurate records
- Ability to complete academic work across different learning environments at postgraduate level and balance the academic demands of the course with clinical placement demands
- Demonstrates adaptability and able to work with diverse communities
- Good time management and organisational abilities
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- IT/Computer literate
- Ability to accommodate travel demands associated with the role
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with children, young people and their families, whilst considering social and cultural differences
Desirable
- Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences good clinical practice
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to risk and safeguarding of children and young people;
- Knowledge of different mental health difficulties and how they may affect the person and their family (undergraduate level)
- Knowledge of risk assessment and management, and safeguarding
Desirable
- Understanding of engaging hard to reach CYP and families, i.e people with learning needs, different cultures
- Knowledge and understanding of CBT theory and its application.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential
- Demonstrate equality, diversity and inclusion awareness and application of EDI issues
- Motivated to learn and be challenged
- Capacity to work well in teams
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum second-class Bachelor's Degree or equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc);
- OR Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but have relevant professional experience are still encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Desirable
- Previous training in a mental-health related profession (e.g. psychology, nursing, health visiting, social work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special needs teaching, psychiatry, psychotherapy, counselling, CWP, EMHP and low intensity therapies)
- Proven record of previous academic attainment
EXPERIENCE
Essential
- 2 or more years of experience working within children and young people in a mental health setting Experience of multi-agency and/or multi-disciplinary working and liaising across internal and external agencies
- Experience of multi-agency and/or multi-disciplinary working and liaising across internal and external agencies
- Experience of participating in clinical supervision (individual/group)
Desirable
- Previous experience of working within a CBT framework and/or using CBT informed interventions
- A year or more experience working within a CBT framework and/or using CBT informed interventions (e.g. PWP, CWP, EMHP and Parent Trainer)
- Experience of assessing and managing risk and safeguarding issues
Skills
Essential
- Ability to maintain a reflective stance in emotive/challenging interactions with children and their carers
- Ability to work in a collaborative and respectful manner with children, young people and their families
- Ability to personally manage sensitive and potentially emotionally distressing caseload material
- Ability to reflect on own practice (in clinical supervision and practice tutor groups with course peers
- Ability to follow policy and clinical governance procedures and make proposals for change
- Ability to maintain accurate records
- Ability to complete academic work across different learning environments at postgraduate level and balance the academic demands of the course with clinical placement demands
- Demonstrates adaptability and able to work with diverse communities
- Good time management and organisational abilities
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- IT/Computer literate
- Ability to accommodate travel demands associated with the role
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with children, young people and their families, whilst considering social and cultural differences
Desirable
- Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences good clinical practice
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to risk and safeguarding of children and young people;
- Knowledge of different mental health difficulties and how they may affect the person and their family (undergraduate level)
- Knowledge of risk assessment and management, and safeguarding
Desirable
- Understanding of engaging hard to reach CYP and families, i.e people with learning needs, different cultures
- Knowledge and understanding of CBT theory and its application.
PERSONAL ATTRIBUTES
Essential
- Demonstrate equality, diversity and inclusion awareness and application of EDI issues
- Motivated to learn and be challenged
- Capacity to work well in teams
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
