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 Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon 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 Hillingdon 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

The Hillingdon CAMHS service is based at Minet Clinic, and is well connected by public transport. The team is well established and is staffed by a large multi-disciplinary team of clinicians with a wide range of skills trained to clinically think from a diverse a range of therapeutic approaches.

We aim to provide an accessible, flexible and responsive local service for patients and professionals working with children in the area using the whole range of therapeutic interventions, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, systemic and family Therapy, Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Psychoeducation, DBT therapy groups and as well as Positive Behaviour Support.

Hillingdon CAMHS consists of four main sub-teams: Emotional Disorders Team; Neurodevelopmental Team; Enhanced Treatment Team. Our service also provides a range of supervision opportunities and is committed to provide continued professional development.

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

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of life stages and human development;
• Knowledge of the delivery and legislation of health and social care through statutory and non statutory bodies both national and local;
• Understanding of psychopathology and problem definitions;
• Knowledge of a variety of theoretical models of intervention;
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to risk and safeguarding of children and young people.

Desirable criteria

• Knowledge and understanding of CBT theory and its application.

Education And Qualifications

Essential criteria

• Minimum second-class bachelor's degree or equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc.);
• A Core profession as recognised by the BABCP (Art Therapy, Counselling, Medicine, Nursing, OT, Psychotherapy, Social work, Clinical/Counselling/ Educational/ Health or Forensic Psychology) OR A minimum of 3 years relevant experience (which can include relevant study, formal and informal training) which demonstrate that you have the knowledge, skills and experience required to complete a KSA portfolio or a condensed KSA for those with an eligible qualification (You may be required to evidence how you can meet the KSA criteria by sharing your completed/partially completed KSA at the point of interview)

Desirable criteria

• 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, CWP, EMHP and low intensity therapies);
• Proven record of previous academic attainment;

Previous Experience

Essential criteria

• Experience working within children and young people in a mental health and/or therapeutic setting;
• Experience of multi-agency and/or multi-disciplinary working and liaising across internal and external agencies.

Desirable criteria

• Previous experience of working within a CBT framework and/or using CBT informed interventions;
• Experience working within a CBT framework and/or using CBT informed interventions (e.g. PWP, CWP, EMHP and Parent Trainer);
• Experience of assessing and managing risk and safeguarding issues.

Skills/Competencies

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with children, young people and their families, whilst considering social differences;
• Skill in key psychotherapeutic relationship skills, such as active listening, warmth, empathy, trust, and rapport building;
• Ability to follow policy and clinical governance procedures and make proposals for change;
• Ability to maintain accurate records;
• Ability to maintain effective and appropriate communications at all levels, including other professionals, and non professionals;
• Ability to identify and manage clinical and safeguarding risks
• Ability to work in a collaborative and respectful manner with children, young people and their families;
• Ability to personally manage sensitive and potentially emotionally distressing caseload material;
• Effective oral and written communication skills;
• Good time management and organizational abilities;
• IT/Computer literate;

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences good clinical practice.