Children & Young People's Wellbeing Practitioner Trainees, CAMHS (training posts) in West and East Berkshire - Fixed Term 1 year
We are looking to recruit to 9 training posts; 3 based across the Getting Help East Service, 3 based within the Neurodiversity Team (Autism Assessment Team) and 3 training positions within the (AnDy) Anxiety and Depression in Young People Research Clinic in Reading.
The Getting Help East service has three teams working alongside the local authorities of Bracknell Forest, Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead, and Slough. The team delivers Initial Assessments, Evidence-based, psychological interventions for children and young people presenting with anxiety, depression, and some behavioural difficulties including neurodivergence. This community-based service is placed within the Getting Advice and Getting Help groups of the THRIVE framework (http://implementingthrive.org/) and therefore works closely works closely with partner agencies in the community including both statutory and charity organisations to support children, young people, and their families. Further information about the Getting Help East service can be found here: https://cypf.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/our-services/children-and-adolescent-mental-health-services-camhs/mental-health-support-and-getting-help-teams/
https://research.reading.ac.uk/andy/
Main duties of the job
The role of the trainee Children's Wellbeing practitioners is to provide brief evidence-based and CBT informed interventions for children and young people who are presenting with mild-moderate anxiety, low mood, and behavioural difficulties in the community or those waiting for an autism assessment or who have already received a diagnosis of Autism.
About us
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated 'outstanding' by the CQC, we're committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we're committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
* Caring for and about you is our top priority
* Committed to providing good quality, safe services
* Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
* Flexible working options to support work-life balance
* 27 days' annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
* Excellent learning and career development opportunities
* 'Cycle to Work' and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
* Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
* Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
* Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
* Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
* Free parking across Trust sites
Job responsibilities
The must have's for this role:
* A degree in Psychology minimum or other relevant subject (minimum at 2:2)
* Experience of working with children and exposure to holding meaningful conversations with emotional connections at their level.
* Some experience of working within a childrens mental health setting, children care setting, local authority children care services or school pastoral care
* Strong communication, IT & organisational skills
Graduate route (level 6)
Evidence of ability to study at Level 6 (i.e., previous successful study at level 5; or successful part completion of an Honours degree level 6)
Hons Degree graded at 2.2 or above
Candidates will need to be ready to start academic training in February 2026 at the University of Reading (UoR). Interviews will be held jointly with the UoR and successful candidates will be required to complete the application form for a place on the Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma in Brief Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions for CYP with Common Mental Health Problems course. An additional learning agreement, supplementary to the Terms and Conditions of Employment, will be issued to clarify the responsibilities and obligations linked to the period of learning during employment in this role.
If you have previously applied for a similar post in Berkshire and were not shortlisted, please do not re-apply.
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don't hesitate to call: Yani Chocalingum (Team Lead, CAMHS GHT/MHST Team) on 07780673550 or email: yani.chocalingum@berkshire.nhs.uk who'll be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
HCAS will be dependent on the base allocated. Interview will be held on 15th Sept 2025
Person Specification
Education/Qualifications/Training
* For the Postgraduate Diploma: Honours Degree graded at 2:2 or above.
* For the Graduate Diploma: Evidence of ability to study at Level 6 (i.e., previous successful study at level 5; or successful part completion of an Honours degree - level 6) (Must not have started or completed a HEE funded role in the previous 2 years, in line with the '2-year psychological professions funding rule)
* Numeracy and literacy qualification at a minimum of level 2
* Other relevant degree or training e.g., counselling
Continuous Professional Development
* Commitment to ongoing training and development
* Able to complete academic components of the course
* Able to attend the formal training as required and able to integrate training into clinical practice
Previous Experience
* A minimum of one year's experience of supporting CYP with their mental health
* Experience of working with CYP and their families in a mental health setting
* Experience of working in or with a diverse or multi-cultural community
* Experience of working in mental health or related services
* Experience of providing 1-1 support with CYP in the community
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
* Knowledge of CYP gained through academic study in child development, child wellbeing or mental health.
* Ability to study as a self-motivated learner and to effectively implement training into practice.
* Excellent IT skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office including high standard of letter and report writing
* Knowledge of mental health problems/ illness in CYP and evidence-based treatments
* Understand why it is essential to use evidence-based interventions when possible.
* Understand why collecting feedback from CYP and parents is important.
* Understanding of child protection, policy, and legislation
* Received risk training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
Additional Requirements
* Excellent organisational and time management skills with ability to work under pressure managing competing demands and changing priorities within the team
* Able to work flexibly, outside of office hours, when required and willingness to travel independently between locations (including schools, NHS premises and home etc)
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.
Employer name
Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust
Address
CAMHS IAPT, RBWM, Bracknell, Slough, Reading
£28,860 to £31,671 a yearper annum ( Incl of HCAS)
Contract
Fixed term
Duration
12 months
Working pattern
Full-time
Reference number
371-CFS556
Job locations
CAMHS IAPT, RBWM, Bracknell, Slough, Reading
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