Recruit to Train Cognitive Behaviour Therapist CAMHS practitioners

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a CBT Trainee, as part of the NHS England Workforce, Training and Education (NHSE WT&E) funded Recruit to Train Programme, in partnership with the University of Reading, Charlie Waller Institute. The post-holders will be training on the Children & Young People Mental Health (CYP-MH) CBT Course, which is accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). They will be 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.

These are fixed term posts with this training year funded by NHSE WT&E. After successful completion of the course the fixed term training contract will end however applicants would be encouraged to apply for any vacant posts within the service and will be provided support and advice in job applications.

Responsibilities will include direct clinical work and management of complex and sometimes high risk cases with support of your line manager and clinical supervisor. You will be a member of the multidisciplinary team (MDT) and involved in MDT meetings and broader service developments. You will be expected to liaise with other agencies involved in the care of the children and young people on your caseload, including schools, social care or other community agencies.

Main duties of the job include:

• The role will be suited to applicants that are able to balance a very busy work & study schedule.
• You will be an employee by service & also enrolled on a Postgraduate Diploma course.
• As this is a Postgraduate level training, you will be required to study & perform at this 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 2 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 University to attend lectures.

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. 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 a self‑statement for KSA criterion 4 before interview and, if successful at interview, will need to prepare the other required sections ahead of the start of the course (including obtaining references). Please see the BABCP website for guidance and exemplars.

Please send the completed criterion to Admissions-CWI@reading.ac.uk for the course tutors to review at least 2 working days before your interview. Please note, failure to do so could mean the interview cannot proceed and that the KSA criterion 4 for those without a core profession is a pre‑requisite for an offer.

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.

We recommend that you read the details of these rules for this application and if you plan to apply to future trainings.

Please note that when you apply to this role, your details will be shared with the Higher Education Institute (HEI) running the course. The service will usually be the Course Team's main way of contacting you until you have been sent an Offer, and so the Course Team at the HEI may ask for information if it is relevant to deciding course eligibility.

If you apply for this job, you are giving permission that information relevant to establishing eligibility can be shared between the HEI and the Service. No irrelevant information will be disclosed or discussed.

North Bedfordshire CAMHS has well‑established multidisciplinary services that provide a comprehensive stepped model of care for children, young people and their families across the locality.

As these are training positions, please be aware that this is a dual application process where you must be employed in a Recruit to Train funded job to also receive a place on the course, and vice‑versa. If you are ineligible for the University Course, we will be unable to offer the role. If you withdraw from an employment offer but you have accepted a university offer, you will be unable to join the course.

Please note in this instance the course is not optional; the roles are dependent on meeting all course requirements. Applicants for this training at Reading University will need to be available to start by February 2nd 2026.

Person Specification

• Education/ Qualification/ Training: RMN, OT, SW or equivalent professional qualification.
• Evidence of continuing professional development.
• Professional knowledge acquired through degree/diploma.
• Experience: Post qualification experience in a mental health setting, working with young people or adults with mental illness.
• Experience of using Routine Outcome Measures (ROMS).
• Experience of working with children and young people who have serious mental illness and their families and carers in the community.
• Experience of mentoring and clinical supervision of others.

Knowledge & Skills

• Ability to manage case load and act as care coordinator for clients on case list.
• Ability to function as part of multi disciplinary team and liaise with external agencies i.e. primary care, education, social and health care.
• Ability to assess client need, both mental health, health and social needs.
• Ability to reflect on and critically appraise the performance of self and others.
• Ability to organise own time and diary and that of junior staff and learners.
• Ability to follow policy and make proposal for change.
• Understanding of evidence based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice.
• Maintain patient records both written and electronic.
• Understanding of the legal and social policy issues influencing the work environment.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships with relevant parties.
• Knowledge and understanding of the research process.

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.