ABC Counselling, Play Therapy & Family Solutions
Title: Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioner
Location: Teesside - Stockton on Tees
Employment Terms: 37.5hrs (1 year fixed term and extension subject to funding)
Service Area: Children, Young People and Families
Reporting to: Designated Line Manager
Accountable to: Director of Services
Salary: £23809 whilst in training
ABC Counselling, Play Therapy & Family Solutions is a leading and trusted local children's mental health provider delivering psychological support and emotional well-being services in primary and secondary schools. ABC delivers a whole school approach to improving children's mental health and wellbeing. We also provide psychological therapies to children and families with multiple and complex needs, including pre and post adoption, attachment and trauma.
ABC is looking to recruit a full time Trainee Children Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) to start in January 2026. The initial starting salary is £23810 whilst training.
To apply for the Children Wellbeing Practitioner post, you must hold a relevant 1st or 2:1 degree in Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, Childhood Studies or Education (A PGC Level 7 in Education or Higher Diploma in Social Work/Care is accepted). At least one year's relevant experience supporting vulnerable children in the field of mental health is desirable. This could be either in a work or volunteering capacity.
In line with the government's priority to Increase Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT), the Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioner's role will involve delivering evidence-based Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) interventions.
The Successful candidate will be initially be employed on a 12-month fixed term contract whilst completing their training, with a view to continuing employment subject to funding and qualifying.
The successful candidate will be employed on a full-time (37.5 hours per week) to deliver mental health support and interventions across a range of local health, education and community settings, spanning both Stockton geographical location.
The successful applicant will be based at the ABC Family Centre located in Billingham, Stockton on Tees, and will be required to be flexible; learning both remotely, and travelling to Northumbria University for 1-2 days per week to access all training and learning opportunities needed for this post.
The successful candidate will access a full-time educational programme specifically to support the CWP trainee role in partnership with Northumbria University. This training post will be 100% funded by NHS England, gaining credits towards either a graduate or postgraduate level qualification (depending on level of previous academic study).
The Northumbria University learning programme for this post is due to start in January 2026. Learning will consist of both academic and supervised practice across mental health, community and educational settings.
Delivery of the Northumbria University learning programme will be provided through a combination of taught days within Northumbria University, independent self-guided study days, alongside practice experience gained in education wellbeing and mainstream mental health services.
During training, the trainee Children Wellbeing Practitioner will work under supervision and gain invaluable experience across local healthcare, community and educational settings. This experience will enable the CWP trainee to gain the level of competence required to deliver high quality, safe and effective evidence-based early interventions.
Specific evidence based psychological interventions will be targeted to support children and young people with mild to moderate mental health needs. This will involve working one to one with vulnerable children and young people, and you will be expected to attain level 3 Safeguarding Certification as part of the induction process.
The Northumbria University Academic course is divided into modules, developing skills and knowledge in areas such as:
* Working with children, young people and their parents/carers to support self-management, including development of plans for specific interventions and agreeing outcomes.
* Learning to manage own caseload, gaining the necessary skills to practice a range of interventions such as guided self-help.
* Preparing and presenting caseload information to supervisors.
* Working with colleagues to provide better access to specialist mental health services and supporting referrals where required.
* Supporting colleagues to identify and manage issues related to mental health and wellbeing.
On successful completion of the training, the trainee Children Wellbeing Practitioner will be qualified and equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge, and competencies to work as an effective, autonomous, ethical and responsible practitioner. This will enable the trainee CWP to practice within the expectations of the service and have the competency and attributes to do so.
As this is a full-time training post, initially you will apply for the post, just as you would do with any other job application. You will then be expected to make a separate application to Northumbria university as part of the overall recruitment and selection process.
To apply for this post, please upload your CV and Resume via Indeed.
For further information in relation to this vacancy, please contact Peter Lowe Executive Director on
Application Close Deadline: 12/10/2025
Interviews w/c 20/10/2025
Anticipated Start Date: 05/01/2026
Job Types: Initially Fixed-Term for 12-months
Starting Salary: £23810 per year
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months
Pay: £23,810.00 per year
Benefits:
* Company pension
* On-site parking
Ability to commute/relocate:
* Stockton-on-Tees: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)
Education:
* Bachelor's (preferred)
Work Location: In person