In an exciting development, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) are seeking to recruit a trainee early years practitioner to complete the post graduate diploma in the specialist training on the new infant and early years practitioner programme. The Post holder will be supported to deliver evidence based psychological treatment to infants, children and their families in one of our established Children and Young Peoples Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) in South Tyneside or Sunderland.
Successful applicant will gain experience of providing psychological therapies on the Parent -Infant pathway and gain accreditation in Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) to support parent-child attachment. Addressing parental mental health difficulties and wider systemic factors.
As a trainee, they will also be expected to attend and complete Psychological Training (CYP PT) Infant and Early Years Practitioner Training Curriculum, at the Psychological Therapies Training Centre in Manchester. The delivery of the course is1.5 days teaching and academic learning. It follows a hybrid model of delivery. There is 0.5 days of supervision and 3 days per week clinical practice within service.
The training course with the University commences in January 2026, therefore it is essential that the trainees will be available for employment January 2026.
Please note all travel costs will be supported by the trust.
Main duties of the job
The trainee will undertake and successfully complete training in the – Post Graduate Diploma in Infant and Early Years Practitioner Training, at the Psychological Therapies Training Centre in Manchester., within 12 months.
Trainees are eligible for training if they have not accessed an CYP-PT funded training programme within the last 2 years of qualifying
Trainees will need to have a professional qualification Health Visiting, teaching, nursing, SW, AHP. Counselling or within a psychological therapy.
Experience of working in assessment and treatment to support the mental health needs of infants, children, young people and their families.
Experience of working within the community.
Ability to engage vulnerable and underserved populations.
Knowledge and experience of safeguarding and the promotion of welfare in children and young people.
Knowledge of universal and specialist childrens mental health service provision.
Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Proven time and caseload management skills.
Ability to work flexibly in a variety of environments.
Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other associated IT packages.
Proven organisational skills.
Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
Person Specification
Skills and Knowledge
Essential
- Working Knowledge of universal and specialist childrens mental health service provision.
- Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other associated IT packages.
- Proven organisational skills.
- Proven time and caseload management skills.
- Able to write clear reports and letters. Demonstrates a high standard in both written and oral communication.
- Ability to engage vulnerable and underserved populations.
- Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
- Ability to work flexibly in a variety of environments.
- Ability to work under supervision and make good use of the supervisory process for personal and clinical development.
- Experience of and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the need for evidence based psychological therapies.
Desirable
- Demonstrates a knowledge of child development and the links with childhood mental health.
Physical Skills
Essential
- Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
- Ability to manage own time and diary and to manage demands of both training course and work in service
- Ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role.
- Ability to on occasion, move and handle objects in line with Trust guidelines using appropriate aids.
- Ability to work flexibly sometimes working additional or unsocial hours as necessary to meet the needs of the service and ensure a complete understanding is had in relation to care delivery.
- Standard keyboard skills.
Qualifications
Essential
- Willingness to Undertake and successfully complete Post Graduate Diploma in Psychological Training – Infant and Early Years Practitioner Training Curriculum, training at the Psychological Therapies Training Centre in Manchester. The centres part of Manchester University. The course must be completed within 12 months.
- Professional qualification teaching, health visiting,nursing, SW,AHP. Counselling or within a psychological therapy.
- Trainees are eligible for training if they have not accessed an CYP-PT funded training programme within the last 2 years of qualifying.
Experience
Essential
- Experience of working in a children and young peoples mental health service.
- Experience of offering assessments and treatments to children, young people and their families.
- Experience of working within the community or education setting.
- Knowledge and experience of safeguarding and the promotion of welfare in children and young people.
Desirable
- Working in a service where agreed service targets are in place that demonstrates clinical outcomes.
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).
Closing Date: 05 November 2025
