Job overview
We have an exciting opportunity to join our CAMHS teams as a Trainee CBT Practitioner, NHS England (NHSE) funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programmes in partnership with Anna Freud, University College London, and Kings College London.
We are recruiting 3 trainees (1 in Hammersmith & Fulham, 1 in Hounslow, and 1 in our Eating Disorder Service). The post-holders will be training on the CYP Psychological Training Programme and carrying out clinical work in our service to complement their studies and use their newly developed skills. We are seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic mental health practitioners to work and train within our service.
This is a training position and so all candidates will need to apply for the trainee role with our organisation and both the UCL and KCL courses in order to be shortlisted. Please see our Candidate Pack for further details
Main duties of the job
You will offer a high-quality service to young people, families / carers, alongside working effectively with your colleagues and liaising with other professionals in the network.
Your training will enable you to deliver - under intensive supervision - high quality, focused evidence-based CBT interventions for children and young people experiencing moderate mental health difficulties (e.g. low mood and anxiety). This in turn will equip those in post to operate effectively in an inclusive, value driven mental health service.
The roles will be exciting and varied, including individual and group working in a CAMHS setting, enabling the post holders to develop a range of skills and experience whilst studying for a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT. The post provides excellent opportunities for professional development and regular supervision.
Working for our organisation
West London NHS Trust is one of the most diverse healthcare providers in the UK, delivering a range of mental health and physical healthcare and community services. The Trust runs Broadmoor Hospital, one of three high secure hospitals in the country, with an international reputation.
Our high secure services care for patients from South of England and we provide low and medium secure services across eight London boroughs. The Trust also provides mental and physical healthcare in three London boroughs (Ealing, Hounslow and Hammersmith & Fulham). We employ over 5,000 staff, of whom 59% are BME. Our turnover for 2024-25 is over £500m.
The Trust is rated as ‘Good’ overall by the Care Quality Commission. Forensic services are rated as ‘Outstanding’.
The Trust is an established partner and contributor in the development of the evolving North West London Integrated Care System and the Integrated Care Board. The Trust leads the NW London Children and Adolescent Mental Health provider collaborative.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Candidate Pack provides an overview of the key tasks and responsibilities of the role, and the person specification outlines the qualifications, skills, experience and knowledge required. Please view as attached
The person specification below is not the full person specification, but outlines the criteria against which your application form will be assessed.
Person specification
Qualifications and Training
Essential criteria
1. Minimum second-class Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc.); OR Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but have relevant professional experience are still encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
2. Qualifications that demonstrate a capacity to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level.
Desirable criteria
3. Minimum second-class Bachelor’s Degree from a UK University or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g., psychology, social work etc).
4. Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria may still be considered on a case-by-case basis.
5. Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but with relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A core profession as recognised by BABCP (for example, mental health nursing, social work) or a level 6 Minimum second-class Bachelor’s Degree from a UK University or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g., psychology, social work etc).
6. Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but with relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A core profession as recognised by BABCP (for example, mental health nursing, social work) or a level 6 qualification (typically this would be 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 to have a minimum of 2 years’ relevant full-time equivalent therapeutic experience in a mental health setting.
Previous Experience
Essential criteria
7. Ideally at least two years’ experience of working with children / young people in a mental health setting.
8. Experience of assessing and managing risk and safeguarding issues
9. Experience of multi-agency and/or multi-disciplinary working and liaising across internal & external agencies
10. Experience of working with, and addressing issues of diversity
Desirable criteria
11. Previous experience of working within a CBT framework and/or using CBT informed interventions
12. A year or more experience working within a CBT framework and/or using CBT informed interventions (e.g., PWP, CWP, EMHP and Parent Trainer
13. Experience of monitoring and recording outcome measures for children’s emotional wellbeing.
Skills and Abilities
Essential criteria
14. Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with children, young people, and their families, whilst considering social differences.
15. Ability to maintain a reflective stance in emotive/challenging interactions with children and their families.
16. Ability to work in a collaborative and respectful manner with children, young people and their families
17. Ability to personally manage sensitive and potentially emotionally distressing caseload material.
18. Ability to use supervision to reflect on current and future practice.
19. Ability to follow local policy and procedures (e.g., within a CBT pathway) and make proposals for change.
20. 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 (BAND D)
21. Ability to make an assessment of risk and to record and communicate it appropriately Ability take appropriate action to mitigate or manage risk.
22. Ability to organise own time and diary and that of junior staff and learners
Desirable criteria
23. Understanding of evidence-based clinical practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences good clinical practice.
Specific Attributes
Essential criteria
24. Full, enhanced and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role.
25. Ability to personally manage a sensitive, and potentially emotionally distressing caseload
26. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Desirable criteria
27. Proven commitment to continuous professional development.
Personal qualities
Essential criteria
28. Motivated to learn and be challenged.
29. Able to meet the physical requirements of the role after reasonable adjustments have been made for any illness or disability.
30. Excellent time management and organisational skills.
31. Capacity to work well in teams.