Child & Adolescent Psychotherapist in Castleford

We are looking for a qualified Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist with a committed interest in bringing psychoanalytic thinking to improve outcomes of young people in our multi‑disciplinary CAMHS team. This is a fixed‑term opportunity for one year to cover maternity leave. You must have post‑graduate training at master’s/doctoral level in clinical child psychotherapy at an accredited training school and be a registered member of the ACP. Some experience post‑qualification within a CAMHS setting is desirable. Experience of working independently in the community would be particularly advantageous.

Main duties of the job:

• You will join a small team of child and adolescent psychotherapists within our service, but you will work autonomously within professional guidelines.
• Your responsibilities include providing specialist assessments, interventions, consultations and short and longer‑term psychotherapy.
• You will also contribute to joint working, training and supervision of other professionals.
• Work will span the Wakefield District, requiring a flexible approach to travel and seeing young people in various community settings as well as the CAMHS bases in the area.
• You will receive regular clinical and management supervision and will be appraised yearly to develop your knowledge and skills.

About Us:

We are a specialist NHS Foundation Trust that provides community, mental health and learning disability services for people in Barnsley, Calderdale, Kirklees and Wakefield. Our mission is to help people reach their potential and live well in their communities by providing high‑quality care in the right place at the right time. We value diversity and want our workforce to be reflective of our communities. We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.

Job Details:

• Date posted: 18 February 2026
• Pay scheme: Agenda for Change
• Band: 7
• Salary: £47,810 to £54,710 a year pro rata
• Contract: Fixed term (12 months)
• Working pattern: Part‑time, Flexible working
• Reference number: C9378‑W1431
• Job locations: Airedale Health Centre, The Square, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 3JJ

Responsibilities:

• The post holder will provide specialist psychotherapy skills within a multidisciplinary team and a high‑quality clinical service to the users of the service.
• They will conduct highly specialist assessments and interventions, work collaboratively with other professionals and be clinically responsible to a senior clinical psychologist or psychotherapist.
• Clinical oversight will be held by the clinical lead.
• The post holder will work autonomously within professional guidelines and observe Trust and National policies and procedures.
• They will also utilise research skills in audit, service development and research relevant to the post.

Person Specification – Personal Attributes:

• Caring
• Team player
• Commitment to supervision and support
• Flexible (Desirable)
• Committed to client group (Desirable)

Qualifications (Essential):

• Registered qualification in core mental health/social welfare profession
• Qualifying level course in Clinical Child Psychotherapy or equivalent at Masters/doctorate level at a training school accredited by the ACP
• Registration/Accreditation with the relevant professional/accrediting body for the model of psychotherapy relevant to this post (e.g., ACP)

Qualifications (Desirable):

• Experience in working with service users in the clinical area of the post
• Experience with different theoretical approaches
• Experience working with other disciplines
• Experience working with people who have disabilities

Physical Attributes (Essential):

• Ability to undertake the duties and demands of the post
• Satisfactory sickness record over the previous 2 years (subject to fairness and equality of opportunity, particularly where sickness is related to a disability and/or pregnancy)

Experience (Essential):

• Completion of significant supervised clinical practice
• Ability to carry out assessment, formulation and intervention

Special Knowledge and Skills (Essential):

• Communication skills
• Current driving licence and access to a car during the working day (reasonable adjustments will be considered for applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability)
• IT literate

Special Knowledge and Skills (Desirable):

• Research skills
• Knowledge of adult & child protection legislation
• Awareness of legislation relevant to the clinical area of practice

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer name: South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust

Address: Airedale Health Centre, The Square, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 3JJ

Website: https://www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk