Job summary
SABP 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). We currently have roles based in both our Surrey MHSTs (base TBC) and North East Hampshire team (based out of Aldershot Centre for Health).

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 support 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.

MHSTs are part of a wider 'School Based Needs Team' who deliver 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. As this is a Postgraduate level training, you will be required to study and perform at academic level. 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 to Reading to attend their lectures.

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!

Details
Date posted: 20 October 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £41,957 a year, incl. 5% Fringe HCAS, pa, pro rata.
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 325-8331084-CYPS

Job responsibilities
Please see attached for the detailed job description and person specification.

The course you will be completing at the University of Reading as part of this role is a Level 2 accredited course with BABCP. This means that upon completion trainees will meet criteria to apply for provisional accreditation as a CBT therapist with the BABCP.

To apply, you must meet the criteria for CBT training and also have a BABCP-recognised professional background in mental health or related areas. This means having a recognised Core Profession. You can find out whether you have a recognised Core Profession here.

If you do not have a Core Profession, you must complete a portfolio of evidence to show that you have equivalent training and experience. This is known as the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes portfolio (KSA). If applying via the KSA route, you must have completed your KSA criteria before interview and, a job offer will be made subject to passing the KSA. Please see the BABCP website for guidance and exemplars.

If you have completed previous Health Education England funded training (e.g. CWP/EMHP training), you cannot attend High Intensity training until 2 full years after your previous trainings exam boards we will require proof of this time period prior to interview if you completed CWP/EMHP training in 2024.

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

Please note post holders must successfully complete the course as a condition of this role.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• BABCP recognised Core Profession OR equivalent training and experience (KSA - Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes portfolio)
• 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 are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Experience
Essential

• Ideally at least 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

Desirable

• Previous experience of working within a CBT framework

Knowledge
Essential

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

Desirable

• 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 case.
• 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
Address: Various Across Surrey and North East Hampshire, 18 Mole Business Park, Leatherhead, KT22 7AD, United Kingdom
Employer's website: https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/working-for-us

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Lead, Michael Fern, michael.fern@sabp.nhs.uk