Job overview
Relational Approach to Working with Young People who Self-Harm (RELATE-YP) is an National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funded feasibility randomised controlled trial, evaluating Cognitive Analytic Therapy as a treatment for young people (13-17) who self-harm. Self-harm is a significant clinical concern given the association with distress, and subsequent risk of emotional difficulties and suicide. Self-harm often has its onset in adolescence and is very prevalent in this population. Despite this, current services, and support for young people who self-harm is lacking. Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) is a widely used relational approach that has real potential as an intervention for young people who self-harm. It is a trans-diagnostic model that can be delivered in a brief 8 session format. Whilst research so far supports CAT as a treatment for a variety of mental health difficulties, research into its suitability for young people who self-harm is lacking. A key next step is to ascertain whether larger clinical trials of CAT for adults who self-harm could be feasibly undertaken.
Secondment opportunities will be considered.
Main duties of the job
The primary aim of this project is to ascertain the feasibility of evaluating an 8-session CAT intervention for young people (13-17) who self-harm within child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS). The project will be taking place across three sites: Pennine Care NHS Foundation trust, Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation NHS Trust (GMMH), Rotherham, Doncaster, and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDASH).
We are looking for a Trial therapist for the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH) site of the trial. The therapist should have completed the CAT practitioner training, though applicants in their second year of CAT training will be considered. They should also have experience working with young people.
The trial therapist will receive further training and supervision in the trial therapy and work alongside other trial therapists to deliver high quality therapies in line with therapy protocols. The post holder will also be expected to contribute to study processes including maintaining research records and participating in qualitative research conducted alongside the RCT.
The post holder will need to travel to different study sites and to the University of Manchester to attend meetings, training, and supervision.
Working for our organisation
Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) Foundation Trust employs over 7000 members of staff, who deliver services from more than 122 locations.
We provide inpatient and community-based mental health care for people living in Bolton, the city of Manchester, Salford, Trafford and the borough of Wigan, and a wide range of specialist mental health and substance misuse services across Greater Manchester, the north west of England and beyond.
Greater Manchester is one of the world's most innovative, original and exciting places to live and work. From the beauty of the surrounding countryside to the heart of the vibrant inner city with great shopping, entertainment and dining options.
Wherever you go you will experience a great northern welcome with people famed for their warmth, humour and generosity.
Our people enjoy their work, have opportunities to learn and develop their skills and are encouraged to generate new ideas that improve care for our service users.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
1. Please see attached job description and person specification
Staff benefits
Pay Enhancements 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising to 29 after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years Excellent pension Cycle to work scheme Salary sacrifice car scheme Wellbeing programme fuelGenie Fuel Cards (for applicable roles)
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
2. Postgraduate level training in applied psychology (Clinical/ Forensic/ Counselling Psychology) as approved by an appropriate accrediting body (HCPC, BABCP).
3. To have completed the first year of Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioner training. The training provider must be recognised by the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT). This may include applicants who completed the first year of CAT training as part of a Clinical Psychology Doctoral programme (where year 1 CAT training is an embedded part of the programme).
Desirable criteria
4. To have fully completed Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT) practitioner training. The training provider must be recognised by the Association for Cognitive Analytic Therapy (ACAT).
Experience
Essential criteria
5. Experience of specialist psychological assessment, formulation and treatment of young people within a mental health setting.
6. Experience of working with a wide variety of client groups, across the whole life course presenting problems that reflect the full range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
7. Experience of working therapeutically with clients who have experienced self-harm
Desirable criteria
8. Experience of using CAT or CAT-informed approaches with clients experiencing self-harm
Knowledge
Essential criteria
9. Shows evidence of knowledge and expertise into the issues of providing psychological therapy to young people who self-harm
Skills & Abilities
Essential criteria
10. Evidence of high level of general clinical skills
11. Ability to prepare and present research reports and presentations
12. Good IT skills
The Trust mandates all post holders who require a DBS for their role to subscribe to the DBS Update Service. You will be required to enrol for this service for a fee of £16 per year and maintain registration throughout your employment with GMMH.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for posts at Greater Manchester Mental Health who have direct experience of mental health, learning disability or drug and alcohol services either as a service user or a carer.
The Trust is also committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults and requires all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
We are aspiring to ensure our workforce is representative of the diverse communities that we serve, and we are strongly committed to removing barriers to employment for candidates from under-represented groups, for example BAME, Disabled and LGBT+ communities. If you would like to have an informal chat about the recruitment process for this role or would value some additional support, we’d love to hear from you.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) when writing job applications
A candidate may utilise the help of AI when writing job application. The assessment of an application is made on its entirety and most times AI-generated content does not fully grasp the context and requirements of the job one applies for thus producing inaccurate and misleading information, especially in the supporting statement section of an application that can lack real life examples of one’s achievements, success and challenges.
We have added a disclaimer to our application process advising that the use of AI is monitored. GMMH reserves the right to follow up with a candidate at the interview on specific responses and those examples used in the supporting statement to explore it further.
Sponsorship
We are proud to be an approved sponsor for the Skilled Worker visa. Applications from individuals who require sponsorship will be considered alongside all other applications. Please be aware that not all roles are eligible for sponsorship. You can review the list of eligible roles and salary requirements on the UK Government’s website – click .
If you are offered a role with us and you require sponsorship, we will check your eligibility in line with the information on the above website. Your offer of employment could be withdrawn if the role is not eligible for sponsorship, and you are not otherwise able to evidence your right to work in the UK.
The Home Office introduces new changes from 22/07/2025 that impact the health and care sector, you may wish to familiarise with it.
Do you have experience outside the NHS?
We want to attract and retain people with diverse skills and experience, to deliver inclusive healthcare services to our communities.
We will consider relevant experience outside the NHS to calculate your salary on appointment.