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.

Working for our organisation

Islington CAMHS is an integrated multi- disciplinary service providing a child and family mental health service to the population of Islington across the 0-18 year age range. The service provides a range of community based, multi-disciplinary interventions and specialist treatments and consultation to partnership agencies. Our local Future in Mind Transformation Plan has been refreshed and we are recruiting to meet the aspirations of the new plan, including work force development and early intervention. The population we serve come from the 40,500 children and young people in Islington. 60% are from ethnic backgrounds other than white British which accounts for the other 40%. 120 different languages are spoken in the homes of Islington children. Islington is the 4th most deprived Local Authority in London and 12th most deprived local authority in England.

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:

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).

Person specification

Education/qualifications

Essential criteria

• Qualifications that demonstrate a capacity to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level.
• Registered/accredited Professional Qualification in a MH profession

Desirable criteria

• Degree or equivalent

Skills and abilities

Essential criteria

• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with children, young people, and their families, whilst considering social differences.
• Ability to maintain a reflective stance in emotive/challenging interactions with children and their families.
• Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (Level 2) https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/english-language-requirements

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice

Knowledge and experience

Essential criteria

• Two or more years of post -qualification experience working therapeutically with young people and/or their families in a mental health setting
• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safeguarding
• Experience of multi agency working and liaising across internal & external agencies
• Basic knowledge and understanding of IPT -A principles

Desirable criteria

• Demonstrates an understanding of child and adolescent development and its significance for emotional well-being and mental health

Personal qualities

Essential criteria

• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships with colleagues inside and beyond the service
• Motivation to learn and be challenged

Other

Essential criteria

• Commitment to using data and relevant measures to assess clinical outcomes
• Ability to balance the academic demands of the course with clinical placement demands

SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND ADULTS

To comply with the Trust’s Safeguarding Children and Adults policies, procedures and protocols. All individual members of staff (paid or unpaid) have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults This will require you to:

• Ensure you are familiar with and comply with the London Child Protection Procedures and protocols for promoting and safeguarding the welfare of children and young people.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with the London Multi Agency Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults Pan London Procedures.
• Ensure you are familiar and comply with local protocols and systems for information sharing.
• Know the appropriate contact numbers and required reporting lines.
• Participate in required training and supervision.
• Comply with required professional boundaries and codes of conduct

Whittington Health is committed to safeguarding all children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.