Trainee Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP PWP)

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must have's for this role:

1. A degree in Psychology minimum or other relevant subject (minimum at 2:2)
2. Experience of working with children and exposure to holding meaningful conversations with emotional connections at their level.
3. Some experience of working within a childrens mental health setting, children care setting, local authority children care services or school pastoral care
4. Strong communication, IT & organisational skills

Graduate route (level 6)

Evidence of ability to study at Level 6 (i.e., previous successful study at level 5; or successful part completion of an Honours degree level 6)

Postgraduate route (level 7)

Hons Degree graded at 2.2 or above

Candidates will need to be ready to start academic training in February 2026 at the University of Reading (UoR). Interviews will be held jointly with the UoR and successful candidates will be required to complete the application form for a place on the Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma in Brief Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions for CYP with Common Mental Health Problems course. An additional learning agreement, supplementary to the Terms and Conditions of Employment, will be issued to clarify the responsibilities and obligations linked to the period of learning during employment in this role.

If you have previously applied for a similar post in Berkshire and were not shortlisted, please do not re-apply.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.

We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Yani Chocalingum (Team Lead, CAMHS GHT/MHST Team) on 07780673550 or email: yani.chocalingum@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.

HCAS will be dependent on the base allocated. Interview will be held on 15th Sept 2025

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

• For the Postgraduate Diploma: Honours Degree graded at 2:2 or above.
• For the Graduate Diploma: Evidence of ability to study at Level 6 (i.e., previous successful study at level 5; or successful part completion of an Honours degree - level 6) (Must not have started or completed a HEE funded role in the previous 2 years, in line with the '2-year psychological professions funding rule)
• Numeracy and literacy qualification at a minimum of level 2

Desirable

• Relevant Honours Degree (e.g., psychology, mental health, sociology, education etc.)
• Other relevant degree or training e.g., counselling

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Commitment to ongoing training and development
• Able to complete academic components of the course
• Able to attend the formal training as required and able to integrate training into clinical practice

Previous Experience

Essential

• A minimum of one year's experience of supporting CYP with their mental health

Desirable

• Experience of working with CYP and their families in a mental health setting
• Experience of working in or with a diverse or multi-cultural community
• Experience of working in mental health or related services
• Experience of providing 1-1 support with CYP in the community

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Knowledge of CYP gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health.
• Ability to study as a self-motivated learner and to effectively implement training into practice.
• Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing

Desirable

• Knowledge of mental health problems/ illness in CYP and evidence-based treatments
• Understand why it is essential to use evidence-based interventions when possible.
• Understand why collecting feedback from CYP and parents is important.
• Understanding of child protection, policy, and legislation
• Received risk training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Excellent organisational and time management skills with ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and changing priorities within the team
• Able to work flexibly, outside of office hours, when required and willingness to travel independently between locations (including schools, NHS premises and home etc)

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

CAMHS IAPT , RBWM , Bracknell, Slough , Reading

Reading

RG6 6BZ

Employer's website

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