Job summary
Surrey Mental Health Support Teams in Schools have an exciting opportunity for Recruit to Train Trainee CBT Therapists to join our team as part of the NHS England funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programmes (formerly CYP-IAPT).

The post-holder/s will attend a fully funded one year training, completing a Post Graduate Diploma in CYP-PT therapies, in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) whilst carrying out clinical work in our service to complement their studies and use their newly developed skills.

We are seeking highly motivated and enthusiastic mental health practitioners to work and train within our service. The training post will equip the post-holder to provide interventions for children, young people or families using evidence-based intervention consistent with the course they are attending. The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equity, diversity and inclusion.

We have a number of vacancies based in both our Surrey teams (base TBC) and our Hampshire Team (based in Adlershot Centre for Health).

MHSTs are part of a wider 'School Based Needs Team' who deliver evidence based early intervention mental health support for children and young people, ensuring they receive the right support to meet their needs, at the right time, in alignment with the THRIVE model.

Main duties of the job
This is a permanent post with this training year funded by HEE. After successful completion of the course you will continue your employment within the Mental Health Support Team (MHST) using the new skills you have developed. You will continue in the MHST as a Band 6 Senior Clinician, delivering all 3 functions of MHSTs, including direct work with CYP and families, offering consultation and advice to school and supporting the delivery of Whole School Approach work.

This role will be best suited for applicants that are able to balance a very busy work and study schedule. You will be an employee at the service but also enrolled on a Postgraduate Diploma course. 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 into London to attend their lectures.

HEE are also expecting to implement a new rule regarding beneficiaries of their training year funding. We recommend you read this if you plan to apply to future trainings. Applicants should be aware that individuals who commence an NHSE-funded course listed on the webpage below will normally be required to wait two years from the date of their qualifying exam board before they can start another NHSE-funded training programme.

About us
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of health and social care services for people of all ages with mental ill-health and learning disabilities in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We also provide social care services for people with a learning disability in Croydon and ASD and ADHD assessment services in Hampshire.

We actively seek to engage people who use our services and our communities in improving the mental wellbeing of the local population. We work closely with other NHS and voluntary sector organisations who provide services and support people who use services and carers.

Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast.

Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach.

For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.

Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received.

Working from home contracts do not attract high cost area payments.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Job responsibilities
Please see attached the detailed job description and personal specification document for more information on the requirement for this job.

This full-time training will begin in January 2027 with around 2.5 days a week for academic work (teaching and personal study), and 2.5 days based at the service seeing clients related to training assignments. Trainees will be both an employee of the service and an enrolled student with Kings College London. Upon completion, qualified trainees will receive a KCL Postgraduate Diploma.

Subject to reasonable adjustments in respect of any disability, the post holder must possess a valid driving license and be able to drive and have the unrestricted use of a car or motorcycle for work at all times including community based work.

Application Process
This is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with us, you must also complete a KCL 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 KCL training place if you are successful in securing this post and you meet the university training requirements (such as academic background, relevant experience, visa approval).

Please read the application guidance and course brochure attached for full information and instructions on how to apply and what to include in your application.

Please note: The position will be based in Surrey/NE Hampshire MHSTs but successful candidates will be expected to travel to Denmark Hill Campus of Kings College London for teaching during the training year.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• Qualifications that demonstrate a capacity to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level.
• Minimum second-class Bachelor's Degree from a UK University or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc) OR applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but with relevant professional experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis
• A core profession as recognised by BABCP (for example, mental health nursing, social work) or a level 6 qualification (typically this would be an undergraduate degree) and meet the eligibility criteria for the BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (KSA) route. To be eligible for the KSA route you would need to have a minimum of 2 years' relevant full-time equivalent therapeutic experience in a mental health setting.

Experience
Essential

• A minimum of two years experience of working with children / young people in a mental health setting
• Experience of working with safeguarding issues
• Experience of multi agency working and liaising across internal & external agencies.
• Experience of working with, and addressing issues of, diversity.

Desirable

• Previous experience of working within a CBT framework

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge and understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children and young people

Desirable

• A foundation in or basic knowledge of CBT
• Familiarity with electronic patient management systems such as IAPTus, RIO, SystmOne etc.
• Awareness of relevant initiatives and frameworks, including MHSTs, Thrive and CYP IAPT.
• Awareness of relevant data monitoring requirements
• Experience of assessing/working with complex cases.
• Experience of developing clinical policies/procedures.

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.

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: Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Employer's website: https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/working-for-us

Contact: Kerrie Waller, Clinical Lead, Kerrie.Waller@sabp.nhs.uk

Salary: £41,957 to £50,387 a year Incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.
Band: Band 6
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 325-8330378-CYPS

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice applies.