Overview
Postgraduate Diploma in CYP-MH in Systemic Family Practice Trainee role within the Sussex Family Eating Disorder Service. This is a Band 6 systemic family practice post based in Aldrington House, Hove. The trainee will join one of our CAMHS teams and work with young people and their families, offering family based interventions for eating disorders within a manualised Maudsley-informed model, with opportunities to engage in other systemic approaches. The role is suitable for clinicians with existing core qualifications (e.g., nursing, social work, occupational therapy) seeking to train in family therapy and systemic practice in CAMHS.
Travel across sites and on-site presence (60% of the working week) and attendance at face-to-face MDT meetings are expected. Training starts January 2026, with some training delivered remotely and some at KCL site in London.
Main duties of the job
The role is variable, exciting, sometimes challenging, and requires flexibility. You will be motivated, forward thinking, and committed to high quality care and outcomes for young people. You will be trained in the FT-AN manualised model (originated at The Maudsley, London). You will carry a small caseload of up to 4 families and receive weekly intensive supervision from the principal family & systemic psychotherapist, with opportunities to participate in the family and systemic psychotherapy team with reflecting team intervention. Your week will include attending the one-year training course and delivering clinical work with young people and their families, supported by an experienced clinical team. All trainees begin with a basic systemic skills module covering diverse socio-cultural backgrounds and a range of systemic techniques and interventions.
The skills developed will enable you to work more effectively with young people and families. The course is accredited by the Association for Family Therapy as an Intermediate level training in Systemic and Family Practice.
About us
This trainee Band 6 systemic family practice (SFP) post will be based in the Sussex family eating disorder service at Aldrington House in Hove. Staff must be able to travel across sites, be on site 60% of their working week, and attend the face-to-face MDT. We value autonomy and teamwork, with a supportive environment and opportunities for development through supervision and training. Equality, diversity, and staff well-being are prioritized.
If successful, you will start the training/clinical post in January 2026. The course will require travel to King’s College London (KCL) and some training delivered remotely.
Job responsibilities
As this is a training position, this is a dual application process where you must be employed in a Recruit to Train funded job to receive a place on the course, and vice-versa. If ineligible for the University Course you cannot be offered the role. If you withdraw after accepting a university offer you cannot join the course.
This is a training position and all candidates will need to apply for both the trainee role with our organisation and the KCL Postgraduate Diploma in Systemic Family Practice (SFP) to be shortlisted. For more information about the course and entry criteria, please see the course page and brochures: https://www.kings-cyp.com/page/recruit-to-train and https://apply.kcl.ac.uk.
KCL covers the modalities of CBT, SFP and Parent Training. When applying, indicate you are applying for the systemic family practice (SFP) modality and why you are qualified and interested in working with families. You only need one application to the associated university regardless of the number of Recruit to Train posts applied for, but you must state which modality or modalities you are applying for.
These roles suit applicants who can balance a busy work and study schedule. You will be employed by the service and enrolled on a Postgraduate Diploma course, and trainees are expected to study at a postgraduate level, including outside protected study time (weekends/after work).
When applying, your name may be shared with the HEI running the course. The service will be the Course Team’s main contact until an offer is issued, and the Course Team may request information relevant to eligibility. Potential additional information may include:
Reason for ineligibility for the course; queries regarding application; name changes.
This is an integral part of the process to confirm that you have applied to the University and meet course requirements. Please apply to the University at the same time as applying to this job.
If you apply to this job, you give permission for information to be shared between the Course Team at the HEI and the Recruitment team at the Service. Only information relevant to eligibility for the job/course will be disclosed.
By applying for this role, you consent to potential transfer of your personal data between NHS organisations where employment transfers within the NHS, in line with reforms designed to improve efficiency. You may be asked to complete e-learning modules prior to joining.
We communicate with applicants via the email address provided on the application form. Please check email regularly and notify us of any changes to contact details.
Note: The closing date shown is a guide. We reserve the right to close the vacancy early once sufficient applications are received. Shortlisting will be based on demonstrated alignment with the person specification.
Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order and requires a DBS disclosure.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For information about applying from overseas, please refer to the guidance provided in the application materials.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* A registered/qualified professional in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy, or a relevant psychological therapy field at graduate level.
* Experience working toward the Association for Family Therapy (AFT) guide: The Blue Book for training standards and course accreditation (4th edition, 2015) for Year 1 foundation training in systemic practice.
* Experience in a service for young people and their families and/or eating disorders.
Knowledge / Experience
* Demonstrable experience in child and adolescent mental health services.
* Ability to meet service targets and manage a caseload.
* Strong written communication skills and ability to work with diverse socio-cultural backgrounds.
* Understanding of mental health issues in young people and how they may present.
* Knowledge of evidence-based psychological therapies as they relate to this post.
* Experience in services with agreed clinical outcomes and evaluating training effects.
* Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients and carers, and to conduct risk assessments within scope of practice.
Training
* Able to attend one day per week of course study.
* Able to complete academic components, including clinical supervision.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post requires DBS disclosure under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act. A submission to the DBS will be made to check for any prior convictions.
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