Job overview
We are seeking an experienced and highly skilled Band 7 Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT) to join our Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS). This role offers an exciting opportunity to deliver evidence-based CBT interventions to children and young people (aged 0-18) with complex mental health needs including, anxiety, depression, trauma, and emotional dysregulation. You will be a key part of a multi-disciplinary team, providing specialist therapeutic care and supporting the mental health recovery of young people whilst contributing to service development initiatives, ensuring that the CBT service remains aligned with current evidence-based practice and the needs of the local population.
This Band 7 CBT Therapist role is integral to the CYPMHS team and provides an excellent opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people with mental health challenges. If you are dedicated to providing high-quality CBT interventions and thrive in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment, we encourage you to apply.
Shortlisting for this vacancy is due to commence on 03/03/2026 and the proposed interview date is 13/03/2026
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for supporting the delivery of evidence-based CBT interventions to children and young people up to 18. They would be expected to hold a case load of young people presenting with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, and moderate to high levels of complexity.
The post holder will work closely with other senior members of clinical staff to enhance the quality and effectiveness of individual CBT informed interventions offered. They will support the development of staff through supervision, training and consultation, and support the application of CBT principles to clinical work. Understanding the needs of moderate to severe mental health presentations within the context of complex environment conditions is essential
The post-holder will be based at the Marsden House in Chester.
We anticipate that there will be a high level of applications for this post, and so potential applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
For further information please contact: Jonathan Girvan - Team Manager
Working for our organisation
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you’ll find something to suit you at CWP.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see ‘documents to download’ section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust’s Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the ‘essential’ criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer ‘YES’ to the question: ‘Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?’
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* Post graduate qualification in CBT.
* The postholder will be BABCP accredited or BABCP accreditable and working towards BABCP accreditation within the first year of employment.
* Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BABCP.
Desirable criteria
* Core mental health profession, registered with appropriate regulatory body (e.g. HCPC, NMC)
* Specialist clinical skills for working with children & young people who have experienced complex trauma
* Training in another psychological therapy e.g. EMDR, family intervention
* Post graduate qualification in clinical supervision.
* Demonstrate knowledge and use of research methodology.
* Demonstrate professional activity via conference presentation, teaching experience, publication or similar.
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential criteria
* Expert knowledge of the cognitive behavioural model and disorder specific CBT interventions.
* Expertise in formulating, and applying CBT models to the individual young person and their carers.
* Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
* Knowledge of, and ability to work with issues of confidentiality and consent
* To work within ethical and professional guidelines
Desirable criteria
* Expert knowledge of evidence based psychological interventions for depression, anxiety, OCD and trauma
* Knowledge of legislation in relation to the children and young people and mental health.
* Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for individuals with complex difficulties).
* Knowledge of specific models of cognitive behavioural interventions for working with children and young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of utilising specialist cognitive behavioural assessment and treatment for a wide range of presenting problems.
* Experience in a specialist cognitive behavioural therapist clinical role, providing specialist treatment packages.
* Skilled in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management.
* Experience of partnership and cross organisational working
* Experience of working autonomously
* Experience of conducting mental health assessments and risk assessments.
Desirable criteria
* Experience of working with individuals experiencing a first episode psychosis, and/or individuals with at risk mental states
* Experience of running a range of groups/workshops /courses for service users with psychosis and their carers.
* Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
* Experience supervising staff from a range of disciplines, at a range of levels within a mental health setting.
* Experience of multidisciplinary team working.