Child and Young People’s Psychological Therapies Trainee Practitioner

Job Advert Skip to main content

document.body.className = ((document.body.className) ? document.body.className + ' js-enabled' : 'js-enabled');

Cookies on NHS Jobs

We've put some small files called cookies on your device to help us make improvements to our site.

To improve our site we'd also like to use cookies which will send information to Google Analytics. You can read more about our cookies before you choose.

Accept analytics cookies Do not accept analytics cookies

Jobs

Menu

• Sign in
• Create an account

• English
• Cymraeg

Menu Close menu

• Search
• Sign in
• Create an account
• Display in Welsh (Cymraeg)

• Search
• Sign in
• Create an account
• Display in Welsh (Cymraeg)

BETA Your feedback will help us to improve this service.

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust Child and Young People’s Psychological Therapies Trainee Practitioner

The closing date is 09 November 2026

Apply for this job

Job summary

Child and Young People's Psychological Therapies Trainee Practitioner

Autism Spectrum Condition (ASC) / Learning Disability (LD) Modality

Are you passionate about supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children and young people? Would you like to work within a dynamic community Early Intervention CAMHS service as part of a friendly, supportive, and creative multidisciplinary team?

The U18 Wellbeing Service has an exciting opportunity for a Child and Young People's Psychological Therapies Trainee Practitioner (ASC/LD Modality) to join our team through the NHS England (NHSE) Children and Young People Psychological Training Programme.

This government-funded initiative supports the development of the child and adolescent mental health workforce to meet increasing demand for services. NHSE funds both the salary and training costs for this one-year, full-time training post, enabling services to expand specialist pathways and improve access to mental health support for children and young people.

This is a unique opportunity to combine academic learning with clinical practice. Through weekly teaching and supervision, you will develop specialist knowledge and skills while delivering evidence-based interventions that make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people, and their families.

The successful candidate will primarily be based within the East and Central Suffolk localities.

Main duties of the job

Course start date: 18th January 2027

Training Information

This full-time training will begin in January 2027 with around 2-3 days a week for academic work (teaching and personal study), and 2.5 days based at the service seeing clients (children, young people, and carers) related to training assignments. 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.

Application Process

This is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with us, 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.

About us

Please view the attached document 'UCL CYP PT Therapy - Application Guidance for Candidates' for the university application link and more information on how to apply.

Please note: The position will be based at Mariner House, Ipswich Suffolk but successful candidates will be expected to travel to Anna Freud in Central London (Rodney St, N1 9JH) for teaching during the training year.

More information about the course content and the different modalities can be found on the Anna Freud webpage: https://www.annafreud.org/ucl-postgraduate-study/ucl-postgraduate-programmes/child-and-young-person-iapt-therapy-pg-dip/

There is also a useful training FAQ section for prospective candidates: Prospective Trainees_ CYP IAPT Therapy Programme FAQ's.docx - Google Docs

Some of the benefits you can expect:

• NHS pension
• a comprehensive in house & external training programmes
• career progression
• starting annual leave of 27 days per annum increasing to 33 days pa based on length of service (plus paid bank holidays)
• staff physio service
• NHS discounts and many more

Details

Date posted

27 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year pa/ pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

246-WSU8378615

Job locations

Ipswich

Ipswich

IP1 2GA

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

ASC (LD) Modality Training Programme

The Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and/or Learning Disabilities (LD) course provides specialist training for professionals working with children and young people (CYP) who are autistic and/or have a diagnosis of a learning disability.

The programme is designed to support practitioners working with children and young people aged under 18 years, including those who may present with co-occurring difficulties such as:

• Sleep problems
• School avoidance
• Epilepsy
• ADHD
• Other associated conditions

The course aims to develop participants' understanding, expertise, and practical skills to meet the needs of autistic children and young people and those with learning disabilities, as well as their families.

Trainees will focus on integrated models of therapy, including:

• Modified behavioural approaches
• Systemic approaches
• Adapted interventions for anxiety and depression
• Evidence-based strategies to support children, young people, families, carers, and education providers
• Environmental adaptations and evidence-based changes to enhance outcomes

The programme emphasises developing existing clinical skills and knowledge to support this population, enabling practitioners to work effectively across a range of settings and with multiple stakeholders.

Important note: This course is not solely focused on adapted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as adapted CBT alone is not currently considered the best evidence-based fit for all children and young people within this population. Instead, the training adopts an integrated approach that draws on a range of therapeutic models and interventions tailored to individual needs.

We are seeking highly motivated candidates who are enthusiastic about making a difference to children and young peoples mental health through evidence-based interventions based on NICE Guideline recommended treatment.

You will be committed to the CYP Psychological Training Programme core principles: Accessibility, accountability, participation, awareness and evidence-based practice and in providing an inclusive and effective service for children and young people, along with a dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Please review the additional documents for more information on the role, person specification other employment documents.

As you also apply for a training course that is delivered by Anna Freud and UCL, your data may be shared with them for the purpose of processing your application (shortlisting) and enrolling you onto this Programme.

Job description

Job responsibilities

ASC (LD) Modality Training Programme

The Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) and/or Learning Disabilities (LD) course provides specialist training for professionals working with children and young people (CYP) who are autistic and/or have a diagnosis of a learning disability.

The programme is designed to support practitioners working with children and young people aged under 18 years, including those who may present with co-occurring difficulties such as:

• Sleep problems
• School avoidance
• Epilepsy
• ADHD
• Other associated conditions

The course aims to develop participants' understanding, expertise, and practical skills to meet the needs of autistic children and young people and those with learning disabilities, as well as their families.

Trainees will focus on integrated models of therapy, including:

• Modified behavioural approaches
• Systemic approaches
• Adapted interventions for anxiety and depression
• Evidence-based strategies to support children, young people, families, carers, and education providers
• Environmental adaptations and evidence-based changes to enhance outcomes

The programme emphasises developing existing clinical skills and knowledge to support this population, enabling practitioners to work effectively across a range of settings and with multiple stakeholders.

Important note: This course is not solely focused on adapted Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), as adapted CBT alone is not currently considered the best evidence-based fit for all children and young people within this population. Instead, the training adopts an integrated approach that draws on a range of therapeutic models and interventions tailored to individual needs.

We are seeking highly motivated candidates who are enthusiastic about making a difference to children and young peoples mental health through evidence-based interventions based on NICE Guideline recommended treatment.

You will be committed to the CYP Psychological Training Programme core principles: Accessibility, accountability, participation, awareness and evidence-based practice and in providing an inclusive and effective service for children and young people, along with a dedication to equity, diversity and inclusion.

Please review the additional documents for more information on the role, person specification other employment documents.

As you also apply for a training course that is delivered by Anna Freud and UCL, your data may be shared with them for the purpose of processing your application (shortlisting) and enrolling you onto this Programme.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Undergraduate degree (or equivalent overseas qualification). Other academic qualifications of an equivalent standard can be taken into account
• A core mental health practitioner qualification or KSA route

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of working in mental health services Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets

Desirable

• Experience in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other mental health problems

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• Undergraduate degree (or equivalent overseas qualification). Other academic qualifications of an equivalent standard can be taken into account
• A core mental health practitioner qualification or KSA route

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience of working in mental health services Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets

Desirable

• Experience in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes

Knowledge

Essential

• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other mental health problems

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address

Ipswich

Ipswich

IP1 2GA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust

Address

Ipswich

Ipswich

IP1 2GA

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Community Team Manager

Luke Croager & Hayley Sykes

[email protected]

Details

Date posted

27 October 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year pa/ pro rata

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

246-WSU8378615

Job locations

Ipswich

Ipswich

IP1 2GA

United Kingdom

Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)

Support links

• Privacy policy
• Terms and conditions
• Accessibility Statement
• Cookies
• Help and guidance

© Crown copyright