Job Description

Children & Young Person's ASC-LD Trainee Therapist (Recruit to Train)

Base: Dartford (with travel across North Kent and Medway)

Fixed-term: 12 months from January 2026 to January 2027

Salary: 32,700.18 - 35,162.46 + travel expenses

North Kent Mind has been funded by NHS England to deliver 'Recruit to Train' placements to grow the children and young people's (CYP) mental health workforce. We are offering an exciting opportunity for an ASC/LD Trainee Therapist, who will study on the Postgraduate Diploma in ASC/LD Psychological Therapies at University College London while gaining supervised clinical experience in our CYP services.

This is a funded training role. The post is fixed-term for 12 months from January 2026 and combines 2 days per week university study with 3 days per week in-service delivery. You will complete at least 80 hours of clinical practice across the year and work with 8-12 cases involving children and young people with autism and/or learning disabilities, supported by weekly supervision.

You will develop specialist skills to adapt evidence-based interventions for autistic children and those with learning disabilities, working with families, schools and wider systems. North Kent Mind will provide referrals, triage and structured support, and ensure you are embedded in our ethos and values. For more information, please see attached the course brochure and application guidance.

If you are passionate about supporting children and young people and ready to take the next step in your career, please apply

to both North Kent Mind and the University today!

These are funded training places with limited availability, and applications will be considered as they are received. Early application is strongly encouraged!

Applicants must:

Apply to

North Kent Mind

for the trainee post. Apply to

University College London

for the Postgraduate Diploma in ASC/LD Psychological Therapies (CYP-PT programme). https://evision.ucl.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login_enc?0qhYzuG1h9udTFM8i9sPhtGiUgIR6D6iP0QBDHq24aUE7Anl4FtDGBDmc3LlBtzaVi6cWmaNYWo
Both applications must be successful for a place to be confirmed.

Purpose of Post

North Kent Mind has been funded by NHS England to deliver a range of 'Recruit to Train' placements to expand the children and young people's (CYP) mental health workforce. This role is a 12-month training post linked to University College London's Postgraduate Diploma in Child and Young Person's Psychological Therapies: Autism Spectrum Conditions and Learning Disabilities (ASC/LD) pathway.

The post holder will undertake academic training (Mondays-Tuesdays) and provide therapeutic interventions in service (Wednesdays-Fridays), working towards completing at least 80 hours of clinical practice across the year and treatment with 8-12 substantial cases, each seen for a minimum of six sessions.

The role will focus on delivering assessment and evidence-based interventions recommended by NICE guidelines to improve mental health, adaptive functioning and emotional wellbeing for autistic children and young people and/or those with learning disabilities. This includes individual interventions, parent/carer support, and school-based/systemic work.

North Kent Mind will support trainees by providing access to appropriate referrals through our established local connections and pathways. This placement forms part of the national strategy to expand access to timely, evidence-based support for CYP and to strengthen the local mental health workforce.

Structure of the Post

The ASC-LD Trainee Therapist will be based at North Kent Mind's Dartford office and will be employed by and fully embedded within North Kent Mind, working in line with the organisation's ethos, vision and values as well as the academic and clinical requirements of the UCL ASC/LD training programme.

The post holder will report to the CYP NHSE Placement Coordinator, who provides line management and day-to-day support, with overall accountability resting with the CYP Manager.

The role involves close collaboration with training providers (KCL), North Kent Mind supervisors, and local partners.

Trainees will attend teaching days on Mondays and Tuesdays, with the remainder of the week focused on delivering clinical practice, supervision, and service integration activities.

Travel beyond the contractual base will be claimable in line with North Kent Mind's policies. Flexibility will be essential, as the role combines academic study, placement requirements, and service delivery.

A: DUTIES OF THE POST: GENERAL

These duties apply to all North Kent Mind Staff:

1. To work within a framework which:

i. Abides by all the policies of North Kent Mind, including Equal Opportunities, Confidentiality, Health and Safety, Information Governance, GDPR.

ii. Promotes Social Inclusion, Empowerment, Well-being and the Recovery Model

iii. Respects, encourages and builds on individual clients' coping strategies, skills and autonomy.

iv. Maintains good liaison with any other outside agencies as is necessary

v. Promotes good joint working, links and cross-referral with all North Kent Mind colleagues.

2. To participate in supervision and appraisal.

3. To attend staff meeting and service team meetings.

4. To attend training/meetings and some annual events as required.

5. To undertake any other duties which the CEO or Board of Trustees may, from time to time, reasonably delegate or assign.

B. DUTIES OF THE POSTS: SPECIFIC

The ASC-LD Trainee Therapist will be responsible for balancing academic study with supervised clinical practice, ensuring that all duties are carried out in line with North Kent Mind's policies, vision and values. The post holder will:

Clinical Practice and Training

Deliver a minimum of 80 hours of clinical work across the year under supervision. Complete treatment with 8-12 substantial cases, each seen for a minimum of six sessions, ensuring cases meet course requirements (ASC and/or LD diagnosis). Provide evidence-based interventions adapted for autism and learning disability, addressing co-occurring difficulties such as anxiety and depression. Deliver interventions through a mix of direct work, parent/carer involvement and school/system-level support. Maintain accurate and timely records of interventions, in line with service and university requirements.

Supervision and Learning

Engage in a minimum of 1 hour per week of clinical supervision, with a focus on case identification, assessment, risk management and outcomes monitoring. Participate fully in UCL teaching, intensive weeks, practice tutor groups and role-play sessions. Reflect on practice through supervision, tutor groups and academic assignments, including written reports, reflective video work and clinical logs.

Service Integration

Contribute to North Kent Mind's CYP services, aligning practice with i-THRIVE principles, local care pathways and the organisation's ethos. Ensure North Kent Mind's values of being

Open, Together, Responsive, Independent and Unstoppable

are reflected in daily practice. Work with the service to identify and accept appropriate referrals to meet placement requirements. Liaise with multi-disciplinary and multi-agency professionals to ensure joined-up support. Uphold safeguarding responsibilities, recognising and escalating concerns in line with organisational and statutory requirements.

Performance and Development

Balance academic study with clinical workload to meet all course requirements. Complete academic assignments, including case reports, reflective video work and clinical logs. Contribute to monitoring of outcomes, waiting times and service reach through accurate use of data systems. Actively participate in service improvement, feedback and reflective learning processes.

C. QUALIFICATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

The post holder must meet the entry requirements for the University College London Postgraduate Diploma in ASC/LD and demonstrate the professional knowledge, skills and experience needed to train and practise safely within North Kent Mind's CYP services.

This relates to the following:

Minimum second-class Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work, education), proof will be required. Applicants without academic criteria but with relevant professional experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis. At least 2 years' experience working with children and young people in a mental health setting. At least 1 year of experience working with autistic and/or LD individuals. Ability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level. Commitment to completing the UCL ASC/LD Recruit to Train programme alongside clinical placement.
Job Types: Full-time, Fixed term contract
Contract length: 12 months

Pay: 32,700.18-35,162.46 per year

Benefits:

Company pension Health & wellbeing programme Sick pay
Work Location: In person