Overview
We are currently recruiting a Trainee Cognitive Behavioural Therapist to join our team and undertake the Postgraduate Diploma in CBT at the University of Reading starting in February 2026. The appointed candidate will work as part of Community CAMHS South Team in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The training involves teaching blocks as well as weekly teaching and supervision days at the University of Reading. Applicants must be willing to travel to Reading.
The course you will be completing at the University of Reading as part of this role is a Level 2 accredited course with BABCP. This means that upon completion trainees will meet criteria to apply for provisional accreditation as a CBT therapist with the BABCP.
To apply, you must meet the criteria for CBT training and have a BABCP-recognised professional background in mental health or related areas. This means having a recognised Core Profession.
If you do not have a Core Profession, you must complete a portfolio of evidence to show that you have equivalent training and experience. This is known as the Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes portfolio (KSA).
Please see the BABCP website for guidance and exemplars.
Note: Students cannot be accepted onto any training programme if they are currently undertaking studies elsewhere or registered with another university.
Please do not contact the service directly with questions related to the training programme; for further course details please visit: https://www.reading.ac.uk/pcls/cbt-training
The advert closes on Monday 13 Oct 2025.
Role and Training Context
This is an NHS England funded training post as part of the CYP Psychological Trainings (formerly CYP-IAPT) which involves some time working as a Practitioner in Community CAMHS alongside some time studying with The University of Reading undertaking a programme of training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The intensive training post will equip the post-holder to provide interventions for children, young people and their families using the core principles of the CYP Psychological Training Programme and consistent with the evidence base of CBT. The post-holder will work in the service for at least 2.5 days of the week using the newly developed skills while attending the training programme or undertaking self-study days for the remaining days, as required by the education provider.
Role Context: To work as an integral part of the Community CAMHS service, providing specialist mental health assessments, formulation, and a wide range of clinical interventions for children, young people, and families (up to the age of 18) who present with significant mental health problems/disorders, and who meet the referral criteria of the core areas of business. The post holder will hold an appropriate training case load and complete the necessary assignments to meet the course requirements. They will work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary CAMHS team to enhance the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people within Nottinghamshire.
Key Accountabilities
Clinical
* Assess clients for suitability for the treatment for which modality specific training is provided.
* Formulate, implement, and evaluate therapeutic intervention for clients in line with their training modality and experience.
* Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.
* Offer clinical assessment and evidence-based intervention whilst observing current best practice, legislation, and guidance.
* Manage a caseload while considering and adhering to safeguarding policy and procedure alongside national/local legislation.
* Plan and successfully manage smooth transitions where they are clinically indicated.
* Work within the Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) and CYP IAPT frameworks and principles.
* Aim to be innovative and creative in the delivery of therapeutic intervention/care bundle, and offer psychoeducation to children, young people, and families.
* Involve the system around the child in treatment as appropriate, e.g. parent/carer, school, conveying therapy formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language.
* Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols.
* Work closely with other team members ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements to maintain a stepped care approach.
* Observe and adhere to the Community CAMHS service specification, vision, aims and objectives.
Training & Supervision
* Apply learning from the training programme in practice.
* Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical and case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis to ensure safe practice and clinical governance obligations.
* Fulfil the requirements of and completing a PG diploma at University of Reading including practical, academic, and practice-based assessments, alongside private study.
* Access and maintain all essential training.
* Seek support from Clinical and Operational Leads where needed, as well as regular clinical and managerial supervision as per trust policy and professional registration requirements.
* Maintain competency and knowledge of safeguarding children’s agenda, and participate in safeguarding children supervision.
* Maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to children’s mental health and social care needs.
Professional
* Maintain standards of practice in line with employer and regulating/professional bodies (e.g., NMC, SWE, BPS, HCPC, BABCP), and keep up to date with new recommendations/guidelines.
* Maintain professional registration and act in accordance with professional codes of conduct, practice, and guidelines.
* Ensure client confidentiality and comply with data management systems and processes including submissions to the training provider.
* Identify, discuss, and review professional objectives with senior therapists as part of continuing professional development.
* Maintain expected levels of clinician: client activity.
* Maintain accurate, timely, and relevant clinical records both written and electronic in line with trust policies and procedures.
* Work in partnership with other teams within Nottinghamshire and bordering CAMHS Services.
* Attend and participate in team meetings, supervision, and support meetings as required.
* Keep records up to date for Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plans reflect latest knowledge of theory and service delivery models.
General
* Contribute to the development of best practice within the service.
* Support colleagues and stakeholders in tackling stigma relating to mental health.
* Ensure effective multi-agency partnership working and increase accessibility for services that work with children and young people’s emotional health and wellbeing needs.
* Ensure mechanisms for service user involvement to influence service design.
* Develop an ethos of continuous quality improvement to deliver high standards of professional care to the child and family.
* Value diversity and promote equality of opportunity; treat individuals fairly and with respect for their experience, knowledge, and skills.
* Be mindful of the needs of children, young people, families, and individuals from diverse backgrounds to be inclusive and meet needs innovatively.
A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is £26.40 (standard) or £54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of £16 per year applies.
Please note that this post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled worker visa. Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band; salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. The Trust cannot sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa in these circumstances. Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship at: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa
Note on Closing: This advert closes on Monday 13 Oct 2025.
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