Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

PG Diploma in CYP-MH in Systemic Family Practice Trainee

The closing date is 14 December 2025

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for clinicians, particularly those with existing core qualification such as: nursing, social work, occupational therapy to join one of our well-established CAMHS teams in Sussex.

This trainee Band 6 systemic family practice (SFP) post will be based in East Sussex, including Brighton and Hove specialist community CAMHS.

Your week will consist of attending the one-year training course and delivering clinical work in the team to children, young people and their families. You will be well supported by an experienced family & systemic psychotherapist and a team of skilled clinicians. While building experience and working towards your course requirements, you will be delivering systemic family interventions for anxiety, depression, self harm and conduct disorders within the CAMHS pathway model of delivery including being part of a family psychotherapy context with a reflecting team intervention and providing a specific intervention through the lens of the single session family consultation framework.

All students begin with learning the basic systemic skills in the first module of the course which will introduce a range of systemic approaches for working with families from diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and where you will learn a range of systemic techniques and interventions. You will continue on to modules focusing on Depression and Self Harm and Conduct Disorder.

Main duties of the job

This is a training position and so all candidates will need to apply for both the trainee role with our organisation and the KCL Post Graduate Diploma systemic family practice (FSP) in order to be shortlisted (for more information about the course and minimum entry criteria, please see the course page and brochures: https://www.kings-cyp.com/page/recruit-to-train).

Please complete your university application using the KCL University Application Guidance supplied at https://apply.kcl.ac.uk

KCL covers the modalities of CBT, SFP and Parent Training. It is very important to mention that you are applying for the systemic family practice (SFP) modality, and why you are qualified & interested in working with families. You only need one application to the associated University no matter how many Recruit to Train job posts you apply for. However, it is very important to mention which modality/modalities you are applying for and why you are qualified/interested in them.

This roles is best suited for applicants that are able to balance a busy work and study schedule. You will be an employee at the service but also enrolled for two days a week on a Postgraduate Diploma course, and trainees will be expected to study at a Postgraduate level. This will mean that applicants must be prepared to study and write assignments outside of protected study time (such as on weekends and after work).

About us

We are passionate about providing effective specialist mental health interventions for children and young people.

Working in Sussex:

  • Travel easily between coast and countryside, with a blend of picturesque villages and seaside towns there's always new experiences to be enjoyed
  • Embrace the city life with great access to visit Brighton and London
  • With easy access to Gatwick and Heathrow and excellent railway links across the UK there is plenty of opportunity for adventure

Key staff survey results include:

  • 70% highlighting flexible working opportunities as a key point for satisfaction at work
  • 79% reporting feeling able to make suggestions to improve the work within their team
  • 77% identifying the opportunities to show initiative in their roles

Details

Date posted

01 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-CS-21794

Job locations

Highmore

Western Road

Hailsham

BN27 3DY


Job description

Job responsibilities

If successful, you will need to be able to start the training/clinical post on January 2026. The course will require travel to KCL's site in London, with some of the training delivered remotely.

.

This is an integral part of the process to confirm that you have applied to the University and that you meet their course requirements. Please apply to the University at the same time as applying to this job position.

If you apply to this job, you are giving permission for information to be shared between the Course Team at the HEI and the Recruitment team at the Service. The only information that is shared will be relevant to establishing eligibility for the job/course. No irrelevant information will be disclosed or discussed in relation to your application.

By applying for this role, you accept in the event you are successful that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which is aimed at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers. Therefore we want you to complete your e-learning modules prior to joining our organisation.

We communicate to all job applicants via the email address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure you check your email on regular basis and inform us if you would prefer an alternative option or any changes to your details after making your application.PLEASE NOTE:* The closing date given is a guide. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.* Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification on their application will be shortlisted for this job.

*Candidates suitable for shortlisting will be contacted within three weeks. If you have not heard from us within this time then you have not been successful on this occasion.

* Interview arrangements: We have set a provisional interview date of Friday 27th October. This is subject to change so please check your email regularly following the closing date* In submitting an application form, you authorise SPFT to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post

Job description

Job responsibilities

If successful, you will need to be able to start the training/clinical post on January 2026. The course will require travel to KCL's site in London, with some of the training delivered remotely.

.

This is an integral part of the process to confirm that you have applied to the University and that you meet their course requirements. Please apply to the University at the same time as applying to this job position.

If you apply to this job, you are giving permission for information to be shared between the Course Team at the HEI and the Recruitment team at the Service. The only information that is shared will be relevant to establishing eligibility for the job/course. No irrelevant information will be disclosed or discussed in relation to your application.

By applying for this role, you accept in the event you are successful that your personal data may be transferred from the Trust to another NHS organisation where your employment transfers within the NHS. This is in accordance with the streamlining programme which is aimed at saving you time and improving efficiencies within the NHS when your employment transfers. Therefore we want you to complete your e-learning modules prior to joining our organisation.

We communicate to all job applicants via the email address which has been provided on the application form. Please ensure you check your email on regular basis and inform us if you would prefer an alternative option or any changes to your details after making your application.PLEASE NOTE:* The closing date given is a guide. We reserve the right to close the vacancy once we have received sufficient applications, so we advise you to submit your application as early as possible to prevent disappointment.* Only those candidates who clearly demonstrate how they meet the person specification on their application will be shortlisted for this job.

*Candidates suitable for shortlisting will be contacted within three weeks. If you have not heard from us within this time then you have not been successful on this occasion.

* Interview arrangements: We have set a provisional interview date of Friday 27th October. This is subject to change so please check your email regularly following the closing date* In submitting an application form, you authorise SPFT to confirm any previous NHS service details via the Inter Authority Transfer (IAT) process should you be appointed to the post

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a post graduate specialist qualification to systemic practitioner level

Knowlege / Skills

Essential

  • Have a minimum of 12 months experience of working in a specialist eating disorders service
  • Demonstrable competence in the delivery of a systemic intervention
  • Knowledge of the theory, practice and evidence base of specialist systemic interventions
  • Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively , orally and in writing
  • Good inter-personal and inter-professional skills and ability to work automonously
  • Skills in the use of psychological assessment, formulation and interventions
  • Ability to plan and manage workload
  • IT skills - Ability to use electronic clinical record systems
  • Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances

Approach/Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust
  • Ability to travel across sites
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Hold a post graduate specialist qualification to systemic practitioner level

Knowlege / Skills

Essential

  • Have a minimum of 12 months experience of working in a specialist eating disorders service
  • Demonstrable competence in the delivery of a systemic intervention
  • Knowledge of the theory, practice and evidence base of specialist systemic interventions
  • Evidence of commitment to continuing professional development

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to communicate effectively , orally and in writing
  • Good inter-personal and inter-professional skills and ability to work automonously
  • Skills in the use of psychological assessment, formulation and interventions
  • Ability to plan and manage workload
  • IT skills - Ability to use electronic clinical record systems
  • Ability to deal with distressing or emotional circumstances

Approach/Values

Essential

  • Demonstrate support for the values and beliefs of the Care Group and those of the Trust
  • Ability to travel across sites

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

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).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Highmore

Western Road

Hailsham

BN27 3DY


Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Highmore

Western Road

Hailsham

BN27 3DY


Employer's website

https://www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Family & Systemic Psychotherapist

John Cavanagh

john.cavanagh8@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

01 December 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

354-CS-21794

Job locations

Highmore

Western Road

Hailsham

BN27 3DY


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

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