Job summary
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. Apply through our website.

Benefits

• NHS pension
• A comprehensive in house and external training programme
• 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, IP1 2GA, United Kingdom

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.

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

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. 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.

UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details
Employer name: Norfolk & Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust
Employer's website: https://www.nsft.nhs.uk/Pages/Home.aspx

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Community Team Manager, Luke Croager & Hayley Sykes, luke.croager@nsft.nhs.uk