Job overview
Our service has an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Training (formally RtT): Therapy Trainee – Infant and Early Years Practitionermodality to join one of our central CAMHS teams as part of the National Health Service England (NHSE) funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Trainings Programmes.
This government funded initiative promotes the growth and skill of the child mental health workforce to meet much needed demand. NHSE covers salary and training costs for a 1-year position, allowing services to employ trainees to support specialist pathways to bridge the gaps in CYP mental health support.
The post-holders will be training on the Children & Young People Mental Health (CYP-MH) Infant and Early Years Practitionerin partnership with the Anna Freud Centre and University College London, and carrying out clinical work in our service to complement their studies and use their newly developed skills. The Infant Early Years Practitioner (IEYP) training provides practitioners with a comprehensive skill set to assess, formulate and treat infants and young children and their caregivers who are experiencing common mental health and relationship difficulties.
This is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with ELFT, you must also complete a UCL application (see below) for the Course Team to review.
Main duties of the job
The post is based within Luton Specialist CAMHS service and successful candidate will work across two pathways: Luton ‘0-5’ Team and the Emotional and Behavioural (E&B) Team providing evidence based practices whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role.
The teams are part of a broader North and South Bedfordshire CAMHS service and work alongside other teams which offer specialist support. Luton ‘0-5’ team is part of the ‘0-5’ Parent-Infant/Child Emotional Wellbeing Service aimed at Luton families and early years practitioners seeking specialist support.
We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic early years practitioners to work and train within our service. The post holder will work in the service for at least 2.5-3.0 days of the week using the newly developed skills whilst training for the remaining days.
The post holder will hold an appropriate training case load for the course and work with infants and parents with different cultural backgrounds and developmental needs, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.
Working for our organisation
Our mission is to make a positive difference to people's lives by improving the quality of life for all we serve. Our values are: We Care, We Respect, We are Inclusive – so we are looking for people who live and breathe these qualities when supporting service users and carers, and in their relationships with colleagues in the Trust and our partner organisations.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please also read the attached Job Description and Person Specification before applying for the role.
The post holders will require a high degree of professional autonomy and self-management, and will be required to account for their professional practice through appraisal and audit.
These are fixed term (yearly) training posts funded by NHSE. After successful completion of the course the fixed term training contract will end. When possible applicants will be encouraged to apply for any vacant posts within the service and will be provided support and advice in job applications.
Training Information
This full-time training will begin on 19th January 2026. The post holder will work in the service for at least 2.5-3.0 days (Wed, Thu and Fri) of the week using the newly developed skills whilst training for the remaining days (Mon and Tue). Trainees will be both an employee of the service and an enrolled student with UCL/Anna Freud. Upon completion, qualified trainees will receive a UCL Postgraduate Diploma.
As the course is a Postgraduate Diploma, candidates need to be able to complete academic work at postgraduate level, which can be demonstrated through previous qualifications, typically an undergraduate degree or equivalent. NHS England is committed to widening access to training opportunities, so these capabilities can also be demonstrated through a Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes portfolio in place of prior qualifications.
This role will be best suited for applicants that are able to balance a very busy work and study schedule. Applicants must be prepared to work towards their studies outside of protected study time (such as on weekends and after work). Protected study time or teaching days are typically two days a week during term (with possibility of extra university days near start) and will be a mixture of in person and online sessions. Applicants must be willing to travel to London to attend lectures.
Application Process
This is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with ELFT, you must also complete a UCL application for the Course Team to review. The Course Team will liaise with us on whether you meet the academic requirements for the course during the recruitment process. You will only be offered a UCL training place if you are successful in securing this post and you meet the university training requirements.
Direct UCL application link:
Application guidance document for candidates:
For more information about the course and minimum entry criteria, please see the course page and brochures:
For more information about the role or to have an informal discussion, please reach out to: Eugenia Baibazarova (Principal Child Psychotherapist) or Miguel Massa (Lead Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist):
For application-related queries, please contact: ELFT Jobs Website
As you also apply for a training course that is delivered by Anna Freud and UCL, your date may be shared with them for the purpose of processing your application (shortlisting) and enrolling you onto this Program.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Qualifications that demonstrate a capacity to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level.
2. Minimum second-class Bachelor’s Degree from a UK University or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject
3. OR Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but with relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Desirable criteria
4. A training in a mental-health related profession (e.g. psychology, nursing, health visiting; social-work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special needs teaching, psychiatry, other psychotherapy, counselling).
Knowledge
Essential criteria
5. Demonstrates an appreciation of the importance of a child's first five years of life on their development and mental well-being
6. Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children
7. Understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice with children aged 0-5.
Desirable criteria
8. Demonstrates an appreciation of the range of factors that can impact on an infant/young child's developmental and emotional well-being.
9. Demonstrates an understanding of under 5s services (such as, health visiting, family support, early help) and the need for a holistic approach
10. Demonstrates knowledge of theory in relation to early child-development
11. Competent use of other IT packages e.g. PowerPoint, Excel, RiO
12. Knowledge of the Children’s Act, Mental Health Act, CPA legislation and national treatment guidelines
Experience
Essential criteria
13. Two years professional experience working with the development and wellbeing of children and young people or their families.
14. Experience of working with safeguarding issues
15. Experience of multi agency working and liaising across internal & external agencies
16. Experience of children aged 0-5 and their development in a personal, voluntary or observational capacity
Desirable criteria
17. Experience of working with children age 0-5 and their families (such as, a family support team, preschool, nursery, under 5s CAMHS)
18. Experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health, development and wellbeing of infants age 0-5.
19. Experience of working in a multi-cultural setting.
Skills & Ability
Essential criteria
20. Ability to communicate effectively and sensitively with young children and their carers
21. Ability to adapt communication style according to the varying needs of families
22. Ability to maintain a reflective stance in emotive/challenging interactions with children and their carers
23. Ability to use supervision to reflect on practice
24. Ability to organise own time and diary
25. Ability to follow policy and make proposal for change
26. Ability to maintain accurate records
27. Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (Level: GOOD)
Desirable criteria
28. Ability to adopt an observational stance, particularly in relation to babies and very young children.
29. Understanding of evidence based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice