Job Summary
What are we looking for?
The MHST are seeking highly motivated candidates who are enthusiastic about making a difference to children and young people’s mental health through evidence-based interventions based on NICE Guideline recommended treatment.
You will be committed to the CYP Psychological Training Programme core principles: Accessibility, accountability, participation, awareness and evidence-based practice and in providing an inclusive and effective service for children and young people, along with a dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Child and Young People’s Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee
Main duties of the job
Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP)
Our service has an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Trainings: Therapy Trainee CWP 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.
Please note: The position will be based at various locations within Hertfordshire as part of one of our 10 MHST teams but successful candidates will be expected to travel to Anna Freud in Central London (Rodney St, N1 9JH) for teaching during the training year.
Person Specification
QUALIFICATIONS/EDUCATION/TRAINING
Essential
- Undergraduate degree, upper second class or above, in Psychology OR related subject (e.g., Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g., Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling etc)
- OR relevant professional experience in CYP Mental Health/Education/Mentorship (to be considered on a case-by-case basis
Desirable
- Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a specific psychological therapy
- Psychology or other health /social care/youth related undergraduate degree
- Other relevant postgraduate degree
PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE
Essential
- Previous experience of working with children and young people
Desirable
- Experience of working in mental health or related services
- Worked in a service where agreed targets in place to demonstrating outcomes
- Experience of working with diverse populations
SKILLS/KNOWLEDGE/ABILITY
Essential
- Ability to study as a self-motivated learner and implement training with appropriate support
- Demonstrates high standards in written and verbal communication
- Demonstrates ability to work well with other professionals/ colleagues
- Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload.
Desirable
- Ability to manage own caseload and time
- Speaks a second language
- Demonstrate ability to present mental health psychoeducation to non-mental health audiences
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Essential
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
OTHER
Essential
- Full, enhanced and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role.
- Able to travel to meet post requirements
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: 19 October 2025
