CYP-PT Trainee (formally RtT): CAMHS Practitioner (IPT-A Trainee)

Job responsibilities

IPT-A is a 12-16 session evidence based therapy for children and young people with a primary presentation of depression, it is indicated when depression is linked with interpersonal difficulties in social systems/relationships. It is a particularly effective therapy where there is discord between the young person and a close relative, where there has been a significant life change/or transition, where there has been a bereavement or loss of significant other, and where there has been significant bullying and/or history of social relationship difficulties. IPT-A Practitioners will be trained to respond to and work with suicidal ideation and deliberate self-harm. For further information: https://d1uw1dikibnh8j.cloudfront.net/media/19061/ipt-a-brochure-23-24-final.pdf

The posts are based within Luton Specialist CAMHS service and each successful candidate will work across two pathways: Luton Emotional and Behavioural pathway and Adolescent Mental Health pathway, providing IPT-A interventions whilst undertaking a program of training for this role.The teams are part of a broader North and South Bedfordshire CAMHS service and work alongside other teams which offer specialist support, for example for clients in crisis, or clients with neuro-diverse conditions or those with eating disorders.

This intensive training post will equip the post holder to provide evidence-based interventions as recommended by NICE Guidelines and CYP Psychological Trainings core principles of accessibility, accountability, participation, awareness and evidence-based practice to provide an inclusive and effective service for children and young people in Luton.

We are seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic mental health practitioners to work and train within our service. The training post will equip the post-holder to provide IPT-A interventions for young people and their families.

The post holder will work in the service for at least 2.5-3.0 days of the week using the newly developed skills whilst training for the remaining days.

The post holder will hold an appropriate training case load for the course and work with young people and families with different cultural backgrounds and developmental needs, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.

The post holders will require a high degree of professional autonomy and self-management, and will be required to account for their professional practice through appraisal and audit.

These are fixed term (yearly) training posts funded by NHSE. After successful completion of the course the fixed term training contract will end. When possible applicants will be encouraged to apply for any vacant posts within the service and will be provided support and advice in job applications.

Training Information

This full-time training will begin on19th January 2026 with around 2.5 days a week for academic work (teaching and personal study), and 2.5 days based at the service seeing clients (children, young people, and carers) related to training assignments. Trainees will be both an employee of the service and an enrolled student with UCL/Anna Freud. Upon completion, qualified trainees will receive a UCL Postgraduate Diploma.

This role will be best suited for applicants that are able to balance a very busy work and study schedule. As this is a Postgraduate level training, you will be required to study and perform at academic level. Applicants must be prepared to work towards their studies outside of protected study time (such as on weekends and after work). Protected study time or teaching days are typically two days a week during term (with possibility of extra university days near start) and will be a mixture of in person and online sessions. Applicants must be willing to travel to London to attend their lectures.

Application Process

This is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with ELFT, you must also complete a UCL application for the Course Team to review. The Course Team will liaise with us on whether you meet the academic requirements for the course during the recruitment process. You will only be offered a UCL training place if you are successful in securing this post and you meet the university training requirements.

Direct UCL application link: https://evision.ucl.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login_enc?0qhYzuG1h9udTFM8i9sPhtGiUgIR6D6iP0QBDHq24aUE7Anl4FtDGBDmc3LlBtzaVi6cWmaNYWo=

Application guidance document for candidates https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/17bbinRzAlIfH8SKe3t18I2m14L7sli5e?usp=drive_link

For more information about the course and minimum entry criteria, please see the course page and brochures: https://www.annafreud.org/ucl-postgraduate-study/ucl-postgraduate-programmes/child-and-young-person-iapt-therapy-pg-dip/

For more information about the role or to have a confidential discussion, please reach out to:Miguel Massa (Lead Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist Clinical Team Lead): Miguel.Massa1@nhs.net or Dr Helen Barker (Clinical Team Lead): Helen.Barker26@nhs.net

For application-related queries, please contact: ELFT Jobs Website

As you also apply for a training course that is delivered by Anna Freud and UCL, your date may be shared with them for the purpose of processing your application (shortlisting) and enrolling you onto this Programme.

Education

Essential

• oMinimum second-class Bachelor's Degree or equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc);
• oApplicants 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;
• oRegistered/accredited Professional Qualification in a MH profession - this is a pre-requisite for future registration with IPTUK.

Desirable

• oProven record of previous academic attainment.
• oAbility to study and complete academic work at postgraduate study level;
• oPrevious training in a mental-health related profession (e.g. psychology, nursing, social-work, psychiatry, other psychotherapy, counselling);

Experience

Essential

• oAbility to communicate effectively and sensitively with young people and their families and adapt communication styles according to their varying needs;
• oAbility to maintain a reflective stance in emotive/challenging interactions with young people and their families;
• oAbility to personally manage sensitive and potentially emotionally distressing caseload material;
• oAbility to reflect on own practice (in clinical supervision and practice tutor groups with course peers);
• oAbility to follow policy and clinical governance procedures and make proposals for change;
• oAbility to maintain accurate records;
• oAbility to complete academic work at postgraduate level and balance the academic demands of the course with clinical placement demands;
• oDemonstrates adaptability and able to work with diverse communities;
• oGood time management and organisational abilities;
• oEffective oral and written communication skills;
• oIT/Computer literate;
• oAble to accomodate travel demands associated with the role.

Knowledge and Skills

Essential

• oBasic knowledge and understanding of IPT-A principles;
• oKnowledge and understanding of issues of safeguarding
• oUnderstanding of adolescent development and its significance for emotional well-being and mental health.
• oUnderstanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how evidence-based practice influences clinical practice.

Experience

Essential

• o2 or more years of experience working therapeutically with young people and/or their families within a mental health setting;
• oExperience of multi-agency working and liaising across internal & external agencies.

Desirable

• oExperience of multi-agency working and liaising across internal & external agencies.
• oExperience of working with adolescents and their families.

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).