Recruit to Train - Senior Mental Health Practitioner - CFHD

Job summary

We are delighted to offer an exciting opportunity within the Mood, Emotions and Relationships Service (MERS) in North Devon to join our team in a permanent role and undertake fully funded Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) training through a one-year programme with the University of Exeter.

During the training year, the postholder will develop the knowledge and skills required to practise as a CBT Therapist.

Following successful qualification, they will become a valued member of the wider MERS team, working across all areas of the service to support children and young people. This may include tasks such as undertaking mental health assessments, supporting duty and screening functions, delivering evidence-based interventions, and contributing to the holistic care and treatment provided within the pathway.

As a Senior Mental Health Practitioner - CBT Therapist, the postholder will play an integral role in ensuring children, young people and families receive timely, high-quality assessment and intervention across the MERS service.

Applicants must meet the essential qualification and professional registration requirements detailed in the Job Description and Person Specification. This includes either holding an eligible core professional qualification and registration, or meeting the eligibility requirements for the BABCP Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) route.

Key Dates:

• Interviews will be held in November 2026 with the university and CFHD.

Main duties of the job

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is the place to be! We have developed an innovative, integrated model of childrens community services and are looking to appoint enthusiastic individuals to join us. For more information about working with us visit our website careers page.

As a large community service, you will be joining a strong, enthusiastic and supportive group of professionals who will be your peers, your phone a friend network and your inspiring colleagues. This provides a real sense of professional collaboration and support that will be an asset to your work and your development.

About us

At Children and Family Health Devon, we are dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of children and young people across Devon and Torbay. We aim to create an environment where children and young people can thrive and are committed to reducing health inequalities and providing specialised support, empowering them to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.

Our children and young people say

We would like the people who work for Children and Family Health Devon to be understanding, patient and respectful. They should be trustworthy and make us feel safe and comfortable. It is important that they use their skills and experience to listen carefully in a non-patronising and non-judgemental way. When staff are positive and friendly, they help to create an environment that is informal and without pressure.

Who we are

We are an alliance of NHS organisations led by Devon Partnership Trust. We are a group of professionals including psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, nurses and many other professions.

Join us in beautiful Devon

With access to moors, sea and cities, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy Devon. Whether you enjoy spending time in the cultural hub of Exeter, exploring the Jurassic coastline or discovering the world surfing reserve in North Devon there really is something for everyone.

Details

• Date posted: 03 September 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for change
• Band: Band 6
• Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year pro rata
• Contract: Permanent
• Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9369-26-0661
• Job locations: Integrated Childrens Services, Fishleigh Road, Roundswell Business Park, Barnstaple, Devon, EX31 3UD, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

Main duties of the job

The CYP IAPT Recruit to Train programme involves both academic learning, coursework and supervised clinical practice. Alongside this, the post holder will work with colleagues in a specialist CFHD pathway, building relationships and wider skills in working children and young people with complex emotional and mental health needs in the community. This will include evidence-based assessment and outcome-monitored interventions in conjunction with the training. There will also be opportunities to engage in Participation and service development as well as contributing to service delivery within the team as required.

Post holders will be employees of CFHD on a substantive contract and also enrolled on a Postgraduate Diploma course with Exeter University. It is essential that applicants are able to balance a busy work and study schedule. As this is a Postgraduate level training, you will be required to study and perform at academic level and be prepared to work towards their studies outside of identified study time. Study time and/or teaching days are typically two days a week during term.

As these are training positions initially, please be aware that you must both gain employment in an CFHD SMHP Recruit to Train role and be accepted onto the University Course. You will be interviewed for both in one interview on the date listed. 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 note for this role, the training course is not optional; the roles are dependent on meeting all course requirements. Applicants for this training will need to be available to start by January 2027 when the course starts.

If you apply to this job, you are giving permission that information relevant to establishing eligibility can be shared between the CYP IAPT programme at Exeter University and CFHD. No irrelevant information will be disclosed or discussed.

Job Description.

Full Vacancy details can be found on the attached Job Description and Person Specification. Please refer to your suitability to the post in your supporting information from the role requirements or person specification.

The post holder will undertake academic and clinical practice training in evidence based psychological therapies and is required to attend, complete and pass all elements of the allocated CYP-IAPT training.

The post holder will deliver high quality comprehensive mental health services.

The role involves managing a defined caseload with a focus on providing expert assessment, formulation and evidence-based treatment for children and young people with complex mental health difficulties and their parents/carers in line with NICE guidance.

Collaborative working with a wide range of statutory and non-statutory agencies is central to this role.

The post holder will contribute to the multi-disciplinary approach of the team, providing integrated healthcare for children across Children and Family Health Devon.

Bringing professional expertise, skills and knowledge to multi-disciplinary team work, the post holder will work with, and offer supervision/consultation/advice to others.

With a focus on providing high quality, safe and compassionate care to children/young people the post holder will engage in team and service development including participating in audit, evaluation and review.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).