Job summary
Child and Young People's Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee- Infant and Early Years Practitioner Parent-Infant (IEYP - PI).
This is a 1-year fixed term contract.The successful candidate must be able to start the post on12thJanuary 2026.
Step2 is an Early Intervention Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service working towards improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people in Hertfordshire.
We have an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Trainings: Therapy Trainee (IEYP) to join our team as part of the NHS England (NHSE) funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programmes. 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. This is a unique opportunity to apply your learning from weekly teaching into practical clinical interventions working with clients in the service making a direct impact in the lives of children, young people and their families.
Main duties of the job
Training Information
Course start date: 19th January 2026.
The post holder will be expected to have 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.
Please note: The position will be based at Starfish House, 3 North Road, Stevenage, SG1 4AT/Step2 Early Intervention CAMHS, with travel across the county of Hertfordshire. Successful candidates will also be expected to travel to Anna Freud in Central London (Rodney St, N1 9JH) for teaching during the training year.
More information about the course content and the different modalities can be found on the Anna Freud webpage:https://www.annafreud.org/ucl-postgraduate-study/ucl-postgraduate-programmes/child-and-young-person-iapt-therapy-pg-dip/
For details of the role please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification document.
About us
We offer our staff a number of great benefits, wellbeing initiatives and lifestyle savings which can be easily accessed via our benefits and wellbeing portal.
For more detail, please read our 'HCT Benefits' document which is attached to our vacancy adverts.
The Trust is committed to gold standard recruitment. In support of this, please read our 'Supplementary Information' document which is attached to our vacancy adverts
Job description
Job responsibilities
Application Process
This is a dual application process.In addition to applying for this position with Step2, youmust also complete a UCL applicationfor 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.
For further information on how to apply, review the attached document UCL CYP PT Therapy - Application Guidance for Candidates for the university application link and more information on how to apply.
Also review the additional documents for more information on the role, person specification and working for Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Candidates must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
PRIVACY NOTICE:As you also apply for a training course that is delivered by Anna Freud and UCL, your data may be shared with them for the purpose of processing your application (shortlisting) and enrolling you onto this Programme.
Candidates who have not applied to the university by the closing date of this advert will not be eligible for offer of an interview.
Direct UCL application link:https://evision.ucl.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login_enc?0qhYzuG1h9udTFM8i9sPhtGiUgIR6D6iP0QBDHq24aUE7Anl4FtDGBDmc3LlBtzaVi6cWmaNYWo=
Candidates are advised to avoid use of ChatGPT or similar AI support when completing your application.
This vacancy may close early if we received a high volume of applications.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Application Process
This is a dual application process.In addition to applying for this position with Step2, youmust also complete a UCL applicationfor 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.
For further information on how to apply, review the attached document UCL CYP PT Therapy - Application Guidance for Candidates for the university application link and more information on how to apply.
Also review the additional documents for more information on the role, person specification and working for Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.
Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
Candidates must hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010)
PRIVACY NOTICE:As you also apply for a training course that is delivered by Anna Freud and UCL, your data may be shared with them for the purpose of processing your application (shortlisting) and enrolling you onto this Programme.
Candidates who have not applied to the university by the closing date of this advert will not be eligible for offer of an interview.
Direct UCL application link:https://evision.ucl.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login_enc?0qhYzuG1h9udTFM8i9sPhtGiUgIR6D6iP0QBDHq24aUE7Anl4FtDGBDmc3LlBtzaVi6cWmaNYWo=
Candidates are advised to avoid use of ChatGPT or similar AI support when completing your application.
This vacancy may close early if we received a high volume of applications.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum second-class Bachelor's Degree or equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc.) 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.
- Qualification in a relevant field such as early years child development; parenting; play therapy.
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)
- Ability to study and complete academic work at postgraduate study level. Proven record of previous academic attainment.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the importance of the 0-5 years on development and mental wellbeing and understanding of the range of factors that can impact 0-5 developmental and emotional wellbeing.
- Knowledge of 0-5s services (e.g. health visiting, early help and the need for holistic approaches).
- Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the safeguarding of very young children.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of theory in relation to early child development.
Experience
Essential
- Two or more years of experience working with the development and wellbeing of children and young children aged 0-5 and their families.
- Experience of multi-agency working and liaising across internal & external agencies.
- Experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health, development and wellbeing of infants aged 0-5.
Desirable
- Experience of working with safeguarding issues.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to adopt an observational stance, particularly relating to babies and very young children.
- Ability to reflect on the connection of own experiences of parenting/being parented.
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with young children and their carers
- 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);
- Proficient IT skills and the ability to learn the electronic patient record system to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to complete academic work at postgraduate level and balance the academic demands of the course with clinical placement demands
- Demonstrates adaptability and able to work with diverse communities
- Able to meet travel demands associated with the role. Ability to be flexible and respond to rapid changes.
Desirable
- Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice with children aged 0-5.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Strong desire to work with children aged 0-5.
- Strong interest in developing knowledge of assessment and intervention of the emotional wellbeing of children in their first 60 months of life.
- Motivated to learn and be challenged. Capacity to work well in teams.
- Application to UCL for this course has been submitted.
- Act appropriately within general health, organisational and other occupational policies. Willingness to uphold the Trust's values.
- Eligible to live and work in the UK.
- Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Minimum second-class Bachelor's Degree or equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc.) 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.
- Qualification in a relevant field such as early years child development; parenting; play therapy.
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)
- Ability to study and complete academic work at postgraduate study level. Proven record of previous academic attainment.
Knowledge
Essential
- Knowledge of the importance of the 0-5 years on development and mental wellbeing and understanding of the range of factors that can impact 0-5 developmental and emotional wellbeing.
- Knowledge of 0-5s services (e.g. health visiting, early help and the need for holistic approaches).
- Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to the safeguarding of very young children.
Desirable
- Knowledge and understanding of theory in relation to early child development.
Experience
Essential
- Two or more years of experience working with the development and wellbeing of children and young children aged 0-5 and their families.
- Experience of multi-agency working and liaising across internal & external agencies.
- Experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health, development and wellbeing of infants aged 0-5.
Desirable
- Experience of working with safeguarding issues.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- Ability to adopt an observational stance, particularly relating to babies and very young children.
- Ability to reflect on the connection of own experiences of parenting/being parented.
- Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with young children and their carers
- 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);
- Proficient IT skills and the ability to learn the electronic patient record system to maintain accurate records.
- Ability to complete academic work at postgraduate level and balance the academic demands of the course with clinical placement demands
- Demonstrates adaptability and able to work with diverse communities
- Able to meet travel demands associated with the role. Ability to be flexible and respond to rapid changes.
Desirable
- Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice with children aged 0-5.
Personal Qualities
Essential
- Strong desire to work with children aged 0-5.
- Strong interest in developing knowledge of assessment and intervention of the emotional wellbeing of children in their first 60 months of life.
- Motivated to learn and be challenged. Capacity to work well in teams.
- Application to UCL for this course has been submitted.
- Act appropriately within general health, organisational and other occupational policies. Willingness to uphold the Trust's values.
- Eligible to live and work in the UK.
- Hold a full, valid, UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
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).
