Overview
Band 5 or Band 6 dependent upon experience. One Fixed Term 12 month Training Post – Post-Graduate Certificate in Specialist Clinical Practice in Learning Disabilities and Autism. PLEASE STATE CLEARLY ON YOUR APPLICATION FORM WHICH BAND YOU ARE APPLYING FOR. Interviews to take place 7th October 2025.
A fantastic opportunity has arisen for a Band 5 or Band 6 Mental Health Practitioner to undertake the following training programme: Post-Graduate Certificate in Specialist Clinical Practice in Learning Disabilities and Autism.
If you already hold a core qualification such as Mental Health Nurse (RMN/RLD), Mental Health Practitioner, Clinical Psychologist, Occupational Therapy, Social Work or creative therapies (e.g., Art Therapy) with proof of relevant professional registration, or a recognised degree-level broad-based health & social care qualification which will require completion of BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attributes (2), you will be considered for Band 6.
If you have a degree-level qualification and/or equivalent experience in a child and family-related field (e.g., social work, youth and community work, nursing) you will be considered for Band 5 along with knowledge and skills framework requirements.
Those successful applicants will work within CYP MH as part of a multidisciplinary team delivering, under supervision, high-quality, outcome-informed interventions for children and young people in accordance with the competency framework for their therapeutic modality.
Main duties
The successful applicants will work within CYP MH as part of a multi-disciplinary team delivering, under supervision, high-quality, outcome-informed, focused and evidence-based interventions for children and young people in accordance with the competency framework for their therapeutic modality.
Applicants need to be able to start the Postgraduate training programme taught academic dates in January 2026 and commit to attendance at all university-based taught and self-study days required by Manchester University. You will work in the service for the remaining days of the week using your newly developed skills to gain the necessary clinical practice hours (200 hours of modality and case-specific practice for full-time courses).
To progress to Band 6 you must be registered with a professional body or have undertaken the accreditation process and maintain this with the relevant body for your therapeutic modality. There will be a local 4-week induction and you will be supported by a skills and competency framework for Band 6 staff to ensure you achieve all elements of the Band 6 role. Those appointed at Band 5 will, on completion of the programme, return to the service with opportunity to deliver interventions aligned to your therapeutic modality training alongside generic CAMHS work for a minimum of 1 year, with potential progression to Band 6.
Those appointed at Band 6 will, on completion, return to the service with opportunity to deliver interventions aligned to your therapeutic modality alongside generic CYP MH work, with a 4-week induction and a professional development framework.
About us
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, in partnership with Venus and Parenting 2000, offer therapeutic modality training places for 2026/2027. These posts are hosted by Sefton Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). We seek enthusiastic individuals who want to develop skills and pursue career progression and personal development. We strive for high-quality evidence-based mental health care and ongoing quality and service improvements, with meaningful participation of children, young people and families in service design and development. The training posts are based in Alder Hey Hospital Community Division with Sefton CAMHS, enabling work with children in community settings with support to identify young people with needs suited to the academic programme.
Details
Date posted: 12 September 2025
Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
Band: Band 5
Salary: £31,049 to £46,580 per annum, dependent on experience
Contract: Fixed term
Duration: 12 months
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 411-COM-25-7467639
Job locations: Alder Hey NHS, Burlington House, Liverpool, L12 2AP
Job description and responsibilities
Those successful applicants appointed at Band 5 will, on completion of the programme, return to the service with an opportunity to deliver interventions aligned to their therapeutic modality training alongside generic CAMHS work for a minimum of 1 year. This will be supported by a skills and competency framework for Band 5 staff, with potential progression to Band 6. To progress to Band 6, you must be registered with a professional body or have undertaken the accreditation process and maintain this with the relevant body for your therapeutic modality. Those appointed at Band 6 will, on completion, return to the service with opportunities to deliver interventions aligned to their therapeutic modality alongside generic CYP MH work, supported by a 4-week induction and a skills/competency framework for Band 6 staff.
Person Specification
Knowledge – Essential
* Knowledge of behavioural based interventions
* An understanding of the needs of people from different ethnic backgrounds and of those with disabilities
* Knowledge of relevant, current legislation
* Knowledge of safety factors in managing self-harming behaviours and child protection issues
* Organisational skills to manage and prioritise workload
* Commitment to the profession and development of mental health practitioners
Knowledge – Desirable
* Knowledge of audit and evaluation methodology
Qualifications – Essential
* B6 Only: Qualified in core profession with evidence of registration OR BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attributes (2) requirement
* B5 Only: Degree-level qualification and/or equivalent experience in a child and family field
* Ability to assess, plan and implement patient care with supervision
* Ability to develop therapeutic relationships; knowledge of child development including adolescence
* Ability to work independently with young people at risk with supervision as needed
Qualifications – Desirable
* Experience in CAMHS
* Commitment to working with diverse families and professionals
Personal Attributes – Essential
* Commitment to ongoing professional development
* Willingness to participate in Personal Development Reviews and training
* Enthusiasm for multidisciplinary and multiagency working
* Professional manner and high level of verbal and written communication
Personal Attributes – Desirable
* Driving licence and access to car (outreach work)
Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act and requires Disclosure to check for previous convictions.
Certificate of Sponsorship: Applications from job seekers requiring Skilled Worker sponsorship will be considered. For information, see the UK Visas and Immigration guidance (text only).
UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.
Employer details
Employer name: Alder Hey Children's NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Alder Hey NHS/Burlington House, Liverpool, L12 2AP
#J-18808-Ljbffr