CAMHS Practitioner. CYP’s PT: Therapy Trainee Practitioner (IPT-A)

Job overview

Our service has an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Trainings: Therapy Trainee (Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression in adolescents, IPT-A) 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 one-year full-time position, allowing services to employ trainees to support specialist pathways to bridge the gaps in CYP mental health support.

This training post involves part time working as a Practitioner in Islington CAMHS and part time studying with the University College London(UCL)/Anna Freud Centre undertaking a programme of training in Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Depression in adolescents (IPT-A). 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.

The post holder will hold an appropriate training case load and complete the necessary assignments to meet the course requirements. The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Main duties of the job

We 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.

Please review the additional documents for more information on the role, person specification other employment documents.

This role will be best suited for applicants that are able to balance a very busy work and study schedule. You will be an employee at Islington CAMHS but also enrolled on a Postgraduate Diploma course.

Please note: The position will be based at Islington CAMHS, Northern Health Centre, 580 Holloway road, London, N7 6LB; but successful candidates will be expected to travel to Anna Freud in Central London (Rodney St, N1 9JH) for teaching during the training year.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Please see attached JD/PS for job description and main duties.

Training Information This full-time training will begin in January 2027 with around 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.

As this is a Postgraduate level training, you will be required to study and perform at academic level. Applicants must be prepared to work towards their studies outside of protected study time (such as on weekends and after work).

Application Process This is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with us, you must also complete a UCL application for 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.

If you are ineligible for the University Course, we will be unable to be offer the role. If you withdraw from an employment offer but you have accepted a university offer, you will be unable to join the course.

Please be aware by submitting your application to this role, you are agreeing to your details being shared with Anna Freud staff team, the Course Team at the HEI and the Recruitment team at the Service, as part of the recruitment process. The only information that is shared will be relevant to establishing eligibility for the job/course. No irrelevant information will be disclosed or discussed in relation to your application.

Before you apply Please watch an introductory video for the modality you are apply to: Click here to watch the IPT-A introduction

Please view the attached document ‘UCL CYP PT Therapy - Application Guidance for Candidates’ for the university application link and more information on how to apply.

More information about the course content and the different modalities can be found on the Anna Freud webpage: Child And Young Person IAPT Therapy, PG Dip | Anna Freud

There is also a useful training FAQ section for prospective candidates: Prospective Trainees_ CYP IAPT Therapy Programme FAQ's.docx - Google Docs

Please also consider the following restrictions to study before you apply:

-You can only be enrolled as a student in one training programme at any one time. If you are completing a course when you apply, you will need to ensure your course end date finishes before this course starts.

-NHS England (NHSE) have implemented a 2-year funding rule regarding beneficiaries of a number of trainings from 1st April 2022. Please see more information on the following link: NHS funding for psychological professions training programmes | NHS England | Workforce, training and education

Formal Offers

The final decision on your application will be made between both the employer and the university. The employer may provide successful candidates with a verbal offer or conditional offer dependent on the final university checks. The UCL admissions team will undertake checks for UCL eligibility and once confirmed you will receive an offer. This may be conditional if you have conditions to meet (e.g. submission of official transcripts/certificates or proof of English Language).

Once all UCL conditions are met, you will then receive your unconditional offer for the course. Please note due to a change in process for this recruitment cycle, only shortlisted candidates will receive information on applying to UCL.

Candidates will need to be available to start by Tuesday 12th January 2027 (with the course starting on the 18th January 2027).

Applicant requirements

You must have appropriate UK professional registration.

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.