CYP-PT ASD/LD - CAMHS Practitioner Trainee

Job summary
Our service has an exciting opportunity for a CYP-Psychological Therapies Trainee - ASC / LD Modality to join our CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Team as part of the National Health Service England (NHSE) funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programmes (formerly CYP-IAPT / Recruit to Train) in partnership with Anna Freud Centre and University College London.

CYP-PT Therapies is a government-funded initiative aiming to grow the child mental health workforce to meet much needed demand. To help reach this goal, NHSE covers salary and training costs for a fixed term 1-year post, allowing services to employ trainees to aid in implementing new or expanding existing specialist pathways to bridge the gaps in CYP mental health support.

Main duties of the job
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 (such as academic background, relevant experience, visa approval).

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

Anyone starting an NHSE-funded course is required to wait two years after their graduation exam board before starting another NHSE funded course. This policy means that recent CWP and EMHP graduates are not eligible to apply for this post.

Please view page below - Applying to the Postgraduate Diploma in Children and Young Person's Psychological Trainings: Therapy - UCL & Anna Freud for the university application link and more information on how to apply.

About us
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive - so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.

Details
Date posted: 23 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 363-SSLB8366233

Job responsibilities

• Please note you need to complete 2 applications one for the CAMHS roles and the other for the University Course.
• Please review the additional documents for more information on the role, person specification and other employment documents.
• We are expecting a high number of applicants for this post, so please apply early. We will need to close the advert before the official closing date, if we have reached our agreed maximum number of applicants.

For further information regarding this post, please contact:
Natalie Chakaduka, Operations Lead, South Bedfordshire CAMHS Neurodevelopmental Team
Telephone number: 01525 638614 or 01525 638613.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Minimum second-class Bachelors degree from a UK University or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject, eg Psychology, Social Worker, Nursing etc.
• A core profession as recognised by BABCP (for example, mental health nursing, social work) or a level 6 qualification (typically an undergraduate degree) and meet the eligibility criteria for the BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (KSA) route. To be eligible for the KSA route you would need a minimum of 2 years' relevant full-time equivalent therapeutic experience in a mental health setting.

Desirable

• Further post graduate training in relevant area of professional psychology, health and social care Practice.
• Completed MSc / PhD in a subject related to child mental health / child development

Experience
Essential

• A minimum of two years working within a relevant environment / service.
• Experience supporting people with Neurodevelopmental Diagnosis: Autism, Intellectual Disability.
• Experience supporting people who express their distress through behaviours that challenge others.
• Experience of Multi Agency working and liaising across internal and external agencies

Desirable

• Experience implementing adapted communication aids, CBT principles and PBS / SPELL orientated approaches
• Experience of teaching other professionals
• Experience/knowledge of working in a multi-ethnic community and of working with interpreters.

Skills
Essential

• Knowledge of features of Autism, Intellectual Disability, co-morbidities and challenges associated with these conditions.
• Understanding of issues related to post diagnosis.
• Knowledge and understanding of NICE Guidelines
• Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with children, young people and their families.

Desirable

• Knowledge of current developments in CAMHS
• Ability to teach basic CAMHS concepts
• Understanding of evidence based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: East London NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Charter House, Alma Street, Luton, LU1 2PJ, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.elft.nhs.uk/

For questions about the job, contact:
Operational Lead: Natalie Chakaduka
Email: natalie.chakaduka@nhs.net
Phone: 01525638614

Apply through our website for the full application process, including the separate UCL university application.