Children's Wellbeing Practitioner Trainee

Job overview

SWLSTG NHS Trust runs a well established MHST and CWP service having been an early implementer of both programmes from 2017. Our supervision and in house training is widely recognised as excellent. The training year is well structured within our Trust, starting with all our new trainees meeting together for in service training days throughout the first term to complement the university training.

We are looking for enthusiastic, collaborative, thoughtful trainees with good schools or mental health experience to join our teams in Sutton, Merton and Wandsworth. You will evidence strong organisational skills, good self-awareness plus an ability to reflect on experiences and learn quickly while on the job. We give our trainees a lot of additional training and support and it’s important to us that our staff feel happy and appreciated. In return, we expect you to work hard; be proactive with school engagement; travel within borough to meet service need and take appropriate responsibility for making the most of your learning opportunities.

These are term time plus 4 weeks positions (0.94wte).

Applicants will need to be ready to start work on Friday 15th January 2026.

All applicants also need to submit an application form to KCL for a place on the CWP PGDip course. Please apply to KCL at the same time as applying to this post on Trac to enable your application to be checked prior to interview. Instructions are attached.

Main duties of the job

CWPs offer guided self-help Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and parenting interventions within primary and secondary schools and across wider community settings.

Each team is led and supervised by an experienced Clinical Psychologist. Trainees are part of a wider, supportive CWP and EMHP network across the Trust with opportunities for peer mentoring and joint training days with other teams.

During the first term, whole group training days are largely held at Springfield Hospital in Tooting but your main ongoing base will be in the schools in the borough in which you will work – either Merton, Sutton or Wandsworth. Please state if you have preference for a particular borough on your application form.

• Work under the direction, supervision and support of a Clinical Supervisor and Service Coordinator, usually a Clinical Psychologist.
• Provide low-intensity interventions in relation to anxiety, depression and behavioural difficulties within schools and other community settings.
• Provide groups, workshops and webinars as appropriate within the role
• Use outcome and other measures to demonstrate the quality, effectiveness and safety of the team’s work.
• Complete formal CWP training at Kings College London and Trust mandatory training.
• Work within the CAMHS clinical governance structure.
• Work within the Trust’s policy framework.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Therapeutic Skills:

• Assess and deliver, under supervision, outcome-focused, evidence-based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.
• Work in partnership to support children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, and their families, in the self-management of presenting difficulties.
• Work in partnership with children, young people and families in the development of plans for an intervention with associated outcomes.
• Support and empower children, young people and families to make informed choices about the interventions.
• Operate at all times from an inclusive values base that recognises and respects diversity.
• Accept referrals within agreed national and local protocols.
• Undertake accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
• Adhere to the service referral protocols. Under supervision, signpost unsuitable referrals to the relevant service as necessary.
• Through close case management and supervision, escalate cases where the level of need becomes more severe or beyond scope, ensuring adherence to other relevant elements of service delivery.
• Provide a range of information and support for evidence-based psychological treatments. This may include guided self-help. This work may be face-to-face, by telephone or via other media.
• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of children and young people contacts offered, and sessions carried out per week, in order to improve timely access and minimise waiting times.
• Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or CYP in treatment, where appropriate.
• Keep coherent records of all activity in line with service protocols and use these records and outcomes to inform decision making. Complete all requirements relating to data collection.
• Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education, training and employment into the overall therapeutic process.
• Work within a collaborative approach involving a range of relevant others when indicated.
• Work in collaboration with children, young people and communities to enhance and widen access.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in job applications

If you have used AI to support the preparation of your application, please briefly indicate how it was used within your supporting statement or application form.

Please remember, your application is your opportunity to tell us about your skills, experience and motivation for the role. We encourage applicants to complete their application and supporting statement in their own words wherever possible. We recognise that AI tools can be helpful in supporting accessibility, and for improving spelling, grammar and structure.

Applications that rely heavily on AI-generated content can become generic and fail to accurately reflect an applicant's individual experience. Applications that clearly demonstrate your own voice, reflections and experiences are often the most effective and help us better understand your suitability for the role.

Please be aware that information provided in your application and supporting statement may be explored further during the selection process. It is important that all applications accurately represent your own knowledge, skills and experience.

Applicant requirements

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.