CYP-IAPT Trainee: Systemic Family Practice in Child & Adolescent MH

Job overview

Are you a motivated clinician with a core profession and an interest in working systemically with children, young people and families? Would you like to gain a nationally recognised CYP-IAPT Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Family Practice?

We are seeking enthusiastic professionals from nursing, social work, occupational therapy, teaching and other relevant backgrounds to join Dorset Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMH). This training opportunity combines academic study at the University of Exeter with supervised clinical practice, equipping trainees to deliver evidence-based systemic interventions for children, young people and families experiencing emotional, behavioural and mental health difficulties.

Working within a pan-Dorset service, successful candidates will support children and young people with a range of needs across CYPMH teams. Dorset CYPMH is undergoing an exciting programme of transformation, with investment supporting service development in line with the i-Thrive Framework.

The Children's Mental Health Network includes Core CAMHS, Intellectual Disability CAMHS, Looked After Children Services, Forensic CAMHS and Mental Health Support Teams in Schools.

The programme starts in January 2027, and applicants must be able to enrol by 1 December 2026. This is a fixed-term training post. Current NHS employees will usually be appointed on a secondment basis and should seek agreement in principle from their manager before applying.

Main duties of the job

As a CYP-IAPT Recruit to Train Systemic Family Practitioner, you will undertake a Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Family Practice with the University of Exeter alongside supervised clinical practice within Dorset CAMHS.

You will manage a supervised caseload of children, young people and families, undertaking assessments and contributing to formulation, care planning and intervention delivery. You will deliver evidence-based systemic family interventions under supervision, applying learning from the training programme directly to practice.

The role involves working collaboratively with children, families, carers, schools and partner agencies to support positive outcomes. You will participate in multidisciplinary meetings, consultations and joint working across services, while maintaining accurate clinical records, outcome measures and reports.

You will engage fully in clinical, managerial and university-based supervision, complete all academic and practice requirements of the training programme, and contribute to service development, audit and quality improvement activities.

Successful candidates will work within a supportive multidisciplinary team, maintaining high professional standards and building effective relationships with internal and external partners to support integrated care. Strong communication, organisational and time-management skills are essential, along with the ability to travel independently across Dorset for clinical and training commitments.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

For the main duties, responsibilities and eligibility for this role please read the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills apply to this post.

As part of our vision to have a skilled, diverse and caring workforce, Dorset HealthCare is working in partnership with The Prince’s Trust to support people getting into work, as part of this partnership, we are offering an employability service to support individuals between 16-30 years old with application writing, interview skills and other employment support. If you would like or know of anyone who would value this support please do contact dhc.wideningparticipation@nhs.net