Child and Young People’s Psychological Therapies Trainee Practitioner

Job overview

Child and Young People’s Psychological Therapies Trainee Practitioner

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) / Learning Disability (LD) Modality

Are you passionate about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people? Would you like to work within a dynamic community Early Intervention CAMHS service as part of a friendly, supportive, and creative multidisciplinary team?

The U18 Wellbeing Service has an exciting opportunity for a Child and Young People’s Psychological Therapies Trainee Practitioner (ASC/LD Modality) to join our team through the NHS England (NHSE) Children and Young People Psychological Training Programme.

This government-funded initiative supports the development of the child and adolescent mental health workforce to meet increasing demand for services. NHSE funds both the salary and training costs for this one-year, full-time training post, enabling services to expand specialist pathways and improve access to mental health support for children and young people.

This is a unique opportunity to combine academic learning with clinical practice. Through weekly teaching and supervision, you will develop specialist knowledge and skills while delivering evidence-based interventions that make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people, and their families.

The successful candidate will primarily be based within the East and Central Suffolk localities.

Main duties of the job

Course start date: 18th January 2027

Training Information

This full-time training will begin in January 2027 with around 2-3 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.

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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

ASC (LD) Modality Training Programme

The Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and/or Learning Disabilities (LD) course provides specialist training for professionals working with children and young people (CYP) who are autistic and/or have a diagnosis of a learning disability.

The programme is designed to support practitioners working with children and young people aged under 18 years, including those who may present with co-occurring difficulties such as:

• Sleep problems
• School avoidance
• Epilepsy
• ADHD
• Other associated conditions

The course aims to develop participants' understanding, expertise, and practical skills to meet the needs of autistic children and young people and those with learning disabilities, as well as their families.

Trainees will focus on integrated models of therapy, including:

• Modified behavioural approaches
• Systemic approaches
• Adapted interventions for anxiety and depression
• Evidence-based strategies to support children, young people, families, carers, and education providers
• Environmental adaptations and evidence-based changes to enhance outcomes

The programme emphasises developing existing clinical skills and knowledge to support this population, enabling practitioners to work effectively across a range of settings and with multiple stakeholders.

Important note: This course is not solely focused on adapted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as adapted CBT alone is not currently considered the best evidence-based fit for all children and young people within this population. Instead, the training adopts an integrated approach that draws on a range of therapeutic models and interventions tailored to individual needs.

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.

As you also apply for a training course that is delivered by Anna Freud and UCL, your data may be shared with them for the purpose of processing your application (shortlisting) and enrolling you onto this Programme.

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.