At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children's mental health through guided self-help and evidence-based interventions.
- Company: Join HCRG Care Group, a leader in transforming health and care services.
- Benefits: Enjoy a salary of £28,500, discounts, and access to mental wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic training programme with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in children's lives while gaining valuable training and experience.
- Qualifications: Degree in relevant field and confidence with IT systems required.
The predicted salary is between 37035 - 45265 £ per year.
HCRG Care Group are looking to recruit Children's Wellbeing Practitioners to continue to improve children and young people's mental health services in Essex. This is a training position where you will undertake training through Anna Freud alongside working in our Essex Child and Family Wellbeing Services.
The Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) role has been developed by NHS England as part of the Children and Young People's Psychological Trainings programme. The course focuses on working within community and primary care settings to increase access to support for children, young people and families. You'll be trained as a CWP to offer evidence-based interventions like low intensity support and guided self-help.
This course enables you to support children and young people with mild to moderate:
- Anxiety (working with primary and secondary school pupils, parents and carers)
- Low mood (adolescents)
- Common behavioural difficulties (working with parents and carers)
Applicants will need to be ready to start work in early-mid January 2027. Positions cannot be offered to candidates unless they are available for the start date.
Please note that applications for this position is a dual process. Prospective candidates must apply to the university course at the same time as application to this role. A standard recruitment process will follow, with our shortlisted candidate information being shared with the university. The university will check their application portal, confirm candidates' course eligibility and report this to the service. The service will create a final shortlist with this information and will offer to the applicant successful at the job interview (subject to final university checks).
You will need a Driving license and use of vehicle for work purposes.
Package Description
You will feel valued as a Children's Wellbeing Practitioner Trainee within HCRG Care Group, receiving access to exclusive rewards and benefits including:
- A salary of £28,500 with access to our group pension
- Free tea, coffee and milk at your base location
- Membership of My Reward Hub, giving you access to discounts on everyday purchases like grocery shopping as well as cashback and voucher offers for treats for you and those special to you
- Access to your wages as you earn them to help cover life's emergencies and avoid overdraft fees or high interest rates
- Online and face to face help with your mental and physical wellbeing – from healthy recipes and activity challenges through to post trauma support, legal, debt and life management help, as well career coaching and counselling
- Access to eLearning, bespoke career pathways and opportunities for continuing professional development through our 'Outstanding' learning and development team, The Learning Enterprise
- An open, just culture where you're encouraged to have and implement ideas which can help us deliver our purpose: changing lives through transforming health and care - backed up by at least £100,000 of ringfenced innovation funding each year
Main Responsibilities
We are seeking to recruit 4 graduate level practitioners to provide guided self-help therapy and parenting interventions. These posts are fully funded for a one year. You will learn:
- Evidence-based and collaborative practice
- Availability and awareness of evidence-based interventions
- Goal-focused, client-centred interventions using feedback tools to facilitate collaboration between professionals, young people and families, leading to more personalised care
- Giving children, young people and families a voice and influence
- Cross-agency collaboration between health, social care, voluntary and independent sectors
- Working with partner organisations to reduce stigma of mental health and improve understanding of the importance of emotional wellbeing
- Making services accountable by monitoring and sharing outcome data with young people, families and commissioners
- Be trained to offer consultations and training to colleagues from partner agencies
- Be introduced to a range of outcome and feedback measures used in CYP Psychological Trainings (PT), and review and interpret them with children, young people, parents and carers
- Develop an understanding of the core principles of participation and collaboration, and learn how to integrate this into your work
Assessment
You’ll be assessed through presentations, reflective analysis, a poster, a case report and video clips of your clinical practice. This programme emphasises putting skills into practice and consolidating learning. You will develop a portfolio of a range of case work over the year, aiming for a minimum of 30 pieces of case work.
The post holder will attend all university based taught and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within the agreed national curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills. The PgDip CWP training programme will take place over 12 months. There are approximately 64 teaching days in the year, split between three terms:
- Term one: three days per week
- Term two: two days per week
- Term three: one day per week
During university holidays, you're expected to work full time in your service. Trainees will have the usual annual leave allocation in line with HCRG Care Group Policy.
The Ideal Candidate
Please note that you will need to submit an application to University for a place on the programme, in addition to the job application that you make with us.
Child and Young Persons Psychological Wellbeing Practice, PG Dip | Anna Freud A Course guide can be found at: Course Guide
Second-class or higher bachelor's degree from a UK university in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, education, childhood development, social work)
An overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject
Degree in any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. teaching, TA, learning support, HCA, youth work, counselling).
You will also need to be confident using IT systems and be able to demonstrate working knowledge of Microsoft Office packages i.e. Outlook, Word, Excel.
You will need a Driving license and use of vehicle for work purposes.
Please read the Job Description and Person Specification for more details before applying for the role.
About the Company
We change lives by transforming health and care. Established in 2006, we are one of the UK's leading independent providers of community health and care services, working with health and care commissioners and communities to transform services with a focus on experience, efficiency and improved outcomes. We deliver and transform adult and children community health services, primary care services including urgent care, sexual health, dermatology and MSK services as well as adult social care and wellbeing services. Across England, we support communities of many millions and directly help more than half a million people each year - guided by our simple values: we care, we think, we do.
We're committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from a broad, diverse range of people who want to join our team. We're a Disability Confident Committed company, so we work to provide facilities, work environment adjustments and technical solutions to be as inclusive of everyone.
While it doesn't happen often, sometimes a role is very popular, and we'll need to close it earlier than the date we've shown here. As you'd expect, safeguarding and protecting the children, young people and vulnerable adults that we work with is of the utmost importance so we have policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices and everyone who joins the team is subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.
Finally, we need to let you know that the company you'll work for is part of HCRG Care Group Holdings Limited and by applying for this job we'll need to process and hold information about you. If you would like to know a little more about how we use your information, please see our website's privacy policy.
Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner Trainee in Basildon employer: HCRG Care Group
HCRG Care Group is an exceptional employer, dedicated to transforming health and care services while prioritising the wellbeing of its employees. As a Children's Wellbeing Practitioner Trainee, you will benefit from a competitive salary, access to professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration. Located in Essex, you'll be part of a team that values diversity and inclusivity, ensuring you feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner Trainee in Basildon
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Join local mental health events, workshops, or awareness campaigns. You’ll not only learn more about the field, but these gatherings are great places to meet professionals already working in therapy or counselling—who knows, they might even have tips for landing a trainee position!
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re in uni, don’t forget about career services—they're goldmines for finding trainee placements in therapy and counselling. They might host job fairs or have connections with local organisations that are looking for trainees. Make the most of it!
✨Show Off Your Passion Online
Create a blog or use social media to share your thoughts on therapy techniques, mental health topics, or your learning journey. This makes you more visible to potential employers like HCRG Care Group, showcasing your enthusiasm for the field.
✨Volunteer for Experience
Look for volunteer opportunities at local mental health charities or organisations. Hands-on experience is invaluable and can sometimes lead directly to trainee roles. Plus, it adds weight to your application when you go for positions like Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner Trainee with HCRG Care Group!
We think you need these skills to ace Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner Trainee in Basildon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Your Empathy Skills:In therapy and counselling, empathy is key. When crafting your CV and cover letter, show how you've developed this skill through your experiences, whether that’s from volunteer work, personal experiences, or relevant coursework. It’s all about demonstrating that you have the ability to connect with and understand others.
Showcase Relevant Academic Credentials:For a trainee role in therapy and counselling, your educational background matters a lot. Make sure to list your degrees, relevant coursework, and any certifications you have (like a certificate in counselling skills). If you’ve done any projects or placements, mention those too as they show you’re serious about your career path.
Express Your Passion for Learning:As a trainee, showing that you’re keen to learn and grow is crucial. Your cover letter should reflect your motivation for the role at HCRG Care Group and your eagerness to develop your skills further. Talk about how you’re dedicated to evolving in the field and contributing to positive outcomes with clients.
Tailor Your Application to HCRG Care Group:Each place has its vibes and focus areas, so take some time to understand what makes HCRG Care Group unique. In your application, highlight why you resonate with their approach to therapy. This not only personalises your application but also shows that you’ve done your homework – something we can totally appreciate!
How to prepare for a job interview at HCRG Care Group
✨Showcase Your Empathy and Listening Skills
In the therapy and counselling world, empathy is key. During your interview for the trainee position at HCRG Care Group, be ready to share examples that demonstrate how you've effectively listened and responded to others' needs. This could be from your studies or any relevant experiences!
✨Prepare for Role-Play Scenarios
Often, interviews for counselling roles include role-play exercises to assess your practical skills. Be ready to engage in a mock counselling session during the interview. Practising a few common scenarios beforehand will help you feel more comfortable and confident!
✨Passion for Learning is Key
As a trainee, they’re likely looking for someone enthusiastic about developing their skills. Be sure to discuss your motivations for entering the therapy field and how you're keen on learning new techniques, therapies, and therapies. This will show that you're committed to your own growth and client care.
✨Discuss Your Theoretical Knowledge
Even as a trainee, they’ll expect a solid foundation in counselling theories. Brush up on key theories and be prepared to discuss how you might apply them practically. This shows you’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable about the framework guiding your future practice at HCRG Care Group.