CAMHS Practitioner CYP-PT: Therapy Trainee CBT

Job Overview

Our service has an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Therapies Trainee CBT Practitioner to join Westminster CAMHS as part of the NHS England (NHSE) funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programme.

The successful candidate will undertake a fully funded one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Young People's Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) delivered by UCL and Anna Freud, alongside supervised clinical practice within our CAMHS service. This unique opportunity combines academic study, clinical experience and professional development, equipping trainees with the skills to assess, formulate and deliver CBT interventions for a range of emotional and mental health difficulties.

The post-holder will spend a minimum of 2.5 days per week undertaking supervised clinical work within Westminster CAMHS and the remaining time attending university teaching, completing independent study and meeting course requirements. They will maintain an appropriate training caseload and engage fully in supervision, reflective practice and multidisciplinary working.

Please note this is a dual application process. Applicants must apply for both this post and the UCL/Anna Freud training programme. Appointment is conditional upon meeting all academic and eligibility requirements and securing a place on the course, commencing on 18 January 2027

Main duties of the job

We are looking for an enthusiastic, compassionate and motivated individual to join our Westminster CAMHS team as a CYP Psychological Therapies Trainee CBT Practitioner.

This is an exciting opportunity to develop specialist skills in evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for children, young people and families while undertaking a fully funded Postgraduate Diploma with UCL and Anna Freud.The successful candidate will provide assessment and CBT-informed interventions for children and young people experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties, supported by regular clinical supervision and training.

They will work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary CAMHS team, contributing to high-quality, accessible and responsive mental health care while developing their clinical, academic and professional competencies through the CYP Psychological Training Programme.

This role combines clinical practice, academic study and service development, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to improving outcomes for children, young people and families within a supportive and innovative CAMHS service.

Working for our organisation

Westminster CAMHS is a well-established, innovative and friendly service based at Woodfield Road, with excellent transport links and easy access across London. We are proud to provide a supportive, collaborative and learning-focused environment, bringing together a large multidisciplinary team of professionals with expertise across a broad range of evidence-based therapeutic approaches and specialties.

Our mission is to provide accessible, flexible and responsive mental health support to children, young people and their families. We work closely with children, families, schools and partner agencies to ensure that young people receive timely, effective and person-centred care. Our service offers a wide range of interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Systemic and Family Therapy, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Psychoeducation, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) groups and Positive Behaviour Support.

We are committed to supporting staff through high-quality supervision, reflective practice, training and continuing professional development opportunities.

The successful candidate will be expected to uphold the values of Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities

Clinical

• With the assistance of their clinical supervisor accept appropriate referrals;
• Assess clients for suitability for the treatment for which modality specific training is provided;
• Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the department’s referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary;
• Formulate, implement and evaluate therapeutic intervention for clients in line with their training modality and experience;
• Involve the system around the child in treatment as appropriate, e.g. parent/carer, school, conveying therapy formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language;
• Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate;
• Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service;
• Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols;
• Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

Training and Supervision

• Fulfilling the requirements of and completing a PG diploma at UCL/Anna Freud including practical, academic, and practice-based assessments, alongside private study;
• Apply learning from the training programme in practice;
• Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical and case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor and service are delivered.

Professional

• Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g., BPS, HCPC, BABCP), and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health;
• Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times and comply with data management systems and processes including submissions to the training provider;
• Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of care pathway;
• Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development;
• Attend clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager;
• Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives;
• Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments;
• Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

General

• To contribute to the development of best practice within the service;
• To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to children’s mental health and social care needs;
• All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public;
• All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the GDPR and Security and Confidentiality Policies;
• It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties

This job description is an outline of the key tasks and responsibilities of the post, and the post holder may be required to undertake additional duties appropriate to the pay band. The post may change over time to reflect the developing needs of the Trust and its services, as well as the personal development of the post holder.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential criteria

• A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following at graduate level in mental health or learning disability nursing, social work, counselling (accredited level), occupational therapy, arts therapy, medicine (psychiatry / general practice), psychological therapy (UKCP registered), Psychology (clinical, counselling, forensic or health). Please see the BABCP website for more detail of accepted qualifications. OR  Evidence of meeting the Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in a service for severe mental health problems

Knowledge/ Experience

Essential criteria

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
• Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets
• Ability to manage own caseload and time
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication
• Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in Eating Disorder Services
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes

Skills and Competencies

Essential criteria

• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
• Computer literate
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Has received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Demonstrates an understanding of a range of mental health difficulties and how it may present in Secondary Care
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other mental health problems