Job Description

We are currently recruiting a Trainee Cognitive Behavioural Therapist to join our team and undertake the Postgraduate Diploma in CBT at the University of Reading starting in February 2026. The appointed candidate will work as part of Community CAMHS South Team in Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. The training involves teaching blocks as well as weekly teaching and supervision days at the University of Reading. Applicants must be willing to travel to Reading.



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 have a BABCP-recognised professional background in mental health or related areas. This means having a recognised Core Profession.



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).



Please see the BABCP website for guidance and exemplars.



If you have undertaken low-intensity CBT training (e.g., PWP, CWP or EMHP) you must have at least 2 years' experience between the exam board of your previous training (not just coursework completion or a letter from the department) and the start date of any high-intensity training.



This is nationally mandated and there are no exceptions; you will be asked to evidence your exam board date (or date of graduation certificate if no evidence of exam board) prior to invite to interview.



Applicants need to be able to start the Post Graduate training programme academic dates in February 2026 and commit to attendance.



You will work in the service for the remaining days of the week using your newly developed skills to ensure you gain the necessary clinical practice hours to fulfil the academic programme.

Please be advised this is a fixed term:

1 year post as part of a recruit to train post with university expectations, contract runs alongside academic year. There may be opportunities within each team for ongoing employment on successful completion of the course but this will be discussed locally.

NOTE:

Students cannot be accepted onto any training programme if they are currently undertaking studies elsewhere or registered with another university.



Please do not contact the service directly with questions related to the training programme, for further course details please visit: https://www.reading.ac.uk/pcls/cbt-training



#TeamNottsHC comprises over 11,000 dedicated colleagues who #MakeADifference every day. We deliver intellectual disability, mental health, community health, forensic, and offender healthcare services across Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, and South Yorkshire. Our care is provided from over 200 sites, spanning community locations, acute settings, and secure environments, including prisons.



We are one of the largest mental health and community Trusts in the East Midlands and one of Nottinghamshire's biggest employers. We also host national and regional services, such as the National High Secure Deaf Service and the Nottingham Centre for Transgender Health.



We offer a variety of employee-led staff networks, including Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) groups, the Green Champions network, the Freedom to Speak Up network, the Health and Wellbeing Champions network, and the Menopause Champions network. These networks play a vital role in supporting our diverse workforce and promoting a culture of inclusivity.



The health and wellbeing of our colleagues is a top priority. We invest significantly in this through our in-house occupational health and staff counselling services, supported by a dedicated Health and Wellbeing team.



The Trust is committed to reducing its carbon emissions, with a specialised Energy and Environmental team working to ensure compliance with environmental legislation, enhance our environmental performance, and achieve our net-zero commitment

Role Purpose:

An NHS England funded training post as part of the CYP Psychological Trainings (formerly CYP-IAPT) which involves some time working as a Practitioner in Community CAMHS alongside some time studying with The University of Reading undertaking a programme of training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.



This intensive training post will equip the post-holder to provide interventions for children, young people and their families using the core principles of the CYP Psychological Training Programme and consistent with the evidence base of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). The post-holder will work in the service, for at least 2.5 days of the week using the newly developed skills whilst attending the training programme or undertaking self-study days for the remaining days, as required by the education provider.

Role Context:

To work as an integral part of the Community CAMHS service. Providing specialist mental health assessments, formulation, and a wide range of clinical interventions for children, young people, and families (up to the age of 18) who present with significant mental health problems/disorders, and who meet the referral criteria of the core areas of business.



They will work as part of a wider multi-disciplinary CAMHS team to enhance the mental and emotional wellbeing of young people within Nottinghamshire.



The post holder will hold an appropriate training case load and complete the necessary assignments to meet the course requirements.

Key Accountabilities:

Clinical

Assess clients for suitability for the treatment for which modality specific training is provided. Formulate, implement, and evaluate therapeutic intervention for clients in line with their training modality and experience. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate. Offer clinical assessment and evidence-based intervention whilst observing current best practice, legislation, and guidance. Manage a caseload whilst considering and adhering to safeguarding policy and procedure alongside national/local legislation. Plan and successfully manage smooth transitions where they are clinically indicated. Working within the Choice and Partnership Approach (CAPA) and Children and Young People's Improved Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) frameworks and principles. Aim to be innovative and creative in the delivery of therapeutic intervention/care bundle, and offer psychoeducation to children, young people, and families. Involve the system around the child in treatment as appropriate, e.g. parent/carer, school, conveying therapy formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols. Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach. Observe and adhere to the Community CAMHS service specification, vision, aims and objectives

Training & Supervision

Apply learning from the training programme in practice. Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical and case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor and service are delivered. Fulfilling the requirements of and completing a PG diploma at University of Reading including practical, academic, and practice-based assessments, alongside private study. To access and maintain all essential training. Seek support from the Clinical and Operational Lead(s) where needed, as well as accessing regular clinical and managerial supervision as per trust policy and professional registration requirements. To maintain competency, skills and a thorough working knowledge of the safeguarding children's agenda, and to participate in safeguarding children supervision. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, and procedures in relation to children's mental health and social care needs.

Professional

Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional, and accrediting bodies (e.g., NMC, SWE, BPS, HCPC, BABCP), and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health. To maintain professional registration and to act in accordance with professional codes of conduct, practice, and guidelines. Ensure that client confidentiality is always protected and comply with data management systems and processes including submissions to the training provider. Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed,

and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

To maintain expected levels of clinician: client activity. To maintain accurate, timely and relevant clinical records both written and electronic in line with the trusts policies and procedures Work in partnership with other teams within the Nottinghamshire and bordering CAMHS Services. To attend and participate in team meetings, business meetings, supervision and support meetings as required. Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

General

To contribute to the development of best practice within the service. Support colleagues and stakeholders in tackling stigma relating to mental health. To ensure effective multi agency partnership working and increase the accessibility for services that work with children and young people's emotional health and wellbeing needs. Ensure adequate mechanisms for service user involvement to influence service design. To develop an ethos of continuous quality improvement, striving to deliver a higher standard of professional care to the child and family. To value diversity and promote equality of opportunity ensuring that individuals are treated fairly and respected for their contribution in terms of experience, knowledge, and skills. To be mindful to the needs of children, young people, families, and individuals from a wide range of racial, cultural, sexual, religious, and social backgrounds to be inclusive of learning disabilities and to develop with colleagues' innovative ways of meeting these needs. All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients, and the public. All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the GDPR and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

A full UK driving licence and vehicle for business use is required for this post; however reasonable adjustments will be made for disabled individuals in line with the Equality Act 2010.



Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. The cost of the DBS application is 26.40 (standard) or 54.40 (enhanced), this cost will be deducted from your salary over the first 2 months of employment.



You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. An annual fee of 16 per year applies.



Please note that this post does not meet the pay level required for a Skilled worker visa.



Successful applicants with no prior NHS experience would normally be placed at the bottom of the band in line with Agenda for Change. This salary is below the minimum salary required for sponsorship for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa. In these circumstances the Trust would not, therefore, be able to sponsor for a Skilled Worker / Health & Care visa.



Applicants requiring a Skilled Worker Visa can determine the likelihood of obtaining a Certificate of Sponsorship against the relevant criteria here https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa