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- Tasks: Support children and young people with mental health needs while gaining practical experience.
- Company: Join Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, dedicated to improving mental health for young people.
- Benefits: Receive a competitive salary, training costs covered, and access to wellbeing initiatives.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of children and families while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Must have a valid UK driving licence and be eligible to work in the UK.
- Other info: Unique opportunity to earn a UCL Postgraduate Diploma while working.
The predicted salary is between 20000 - 30000 £ per year.
Overview
Child and Young People’s Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee – Autism Spectrum Condition or Learning Difficulties (ASC/LD).
This is a 1-year fixed term contract. The successful candidate must be able to start the post on 12th January 2026. Step2 is an Early Intervention Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service working towards improving the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children and young people in Hertfordshire.
Training Programme
We have an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Trainings: Therapy Trainee (ASC/LD) to join our team as part of the NHS England (NHSE) funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programmes. This government-funded initiative promotes the growth and skill of the child mental health workforce to meet much needed demand. NHSE covers salary and training costs for a 1-year position, allowing services to employ trainees to support specialist pathways to bridge the gaps in CYP mental health support. This is a unique opportunity to apply learning from weekly teaching into practical clinical interventions working with clients in the service making a direct impact in the lives of children, young people and their families.
Training Information
Course start date: 19th January 2026. The post holder will be expected to have 2.5 days a week for academic work (teaching and personal study) and 2.5 days based at the service seeing clients (children, young people, and carers) related to training assignments. Trainees will be both an employee of the service and an enrolled student with UCL/Anna Freud. Upon completion, qualified trainees will receive a UCL Postgraduate Diploma. The position will be based at Starfish House, 3 North Road, Stevenage, SG1 4AT/Step2 Early Intervention CAMHS, with travel across the county of Hertfordshire. Successful candidates will also be expected to travel to Anna Freud in Central London (Rodney St, N1 9JH) for teaching during the training year. More information about the course content and the different modalities can be found on the Anna Freud webpage: https://www.annafreud.org/ucl-postgraduate-study/ucl-postgraduate-programmes/child-and-young-person-iapt-therapy-pg-dip/
Role Details
For details of the role please see the attached Job Description & Person Specification document.
Working Arrangements
We offer our staff a number of great benefits, wellbeing initiatives and lifestyle savings accessible via our benefits and wellbeing portal. For more detail, please read our ‘HCT Benefits’ document attached to the vacancy adverts. The Trust is committed to gold standard recruitment. Please read our ‘Supplementary Information’ document attached to the vacancy adverts.
Application Process
This is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with Step2, you must also complete a UCL application for the Course Team to review. The Course Team will liaise with us on whether you meet the academic requirements for the course during the recruitment process. You will only be offered a UCL training place if you are successful in securing this post and you meet the university training requirements. For further information on how to apply, review the attached document ‘UCL CYP PT Therapy – Application Guidance for Candidates’ for the university application link and more information on how to apply. Also review the additional documents for more information on the role, person specification and working for Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust.
Eligibility and Requirements
- Candidates must be eligible to live and work in the UK.
- Candidates must hold a full, valid UK driving licence and have access to a car to use for business purposes (unless you have a disability as defined by the Equality Act 2010).
- Privacy notice: As you also apply for a training course that is delivered by Anna Freud and UCL, your data may be shared with them for the purpose of processing your application and enrolling you onto this Programme.
- Candidates who have not applied to the university by the closing date of this advert will not be eligible for offer of an interview.
- Direct UCL application link: https://evision.ucl.ac.uk/urd/sits.urd/run/siw_ipp_lgn.login_enc?0qhYzuG1h9udTFM8i9sPhtGiUgIR6D6iP0QBDHq24aUE7Anl4FtDGBDmc3LlBtzaVi6cWmaNYWo=
Important notices
Candidates are advised to avoid use of ChatGPT or similar AI support when completing your application. This vacancy may close early if we receive a high volume of applications. This advert closes on Sunday 21 Sep 2025.
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Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee – (ASC/LD) | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust employer: Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Contact Detail:
Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee – (ASC/LD) | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the mental health field, especially those who work with children and young people. Attend local events or online webinars to make connections that could lead to job opportunities.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to mental health practice. Think about your experiences and how they relate to the role of a Mental Health Practitioner. We can help you with mock interviews if you need it!
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for mental health! When you get the chance to speak with potential employers, share why you’re excited about working with children and young people. Your enthusiasm can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we have loads of resources to help you along the way, so take advantage of them!
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee – (ASC/LD) | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, make sure to read the job description thoroughly. We want to see how your skills and experiences align with what they're looking for, so highlight those connections in your application.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! We recommend personalising your cover letter and CV to reflect the specific requirements of the Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee role. Show us why you're the perfect fit!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that get straight to the heart of your qualifications and experiences without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Make sure to apply through our website for the best chance of success! We want to see your application come through our system, so don’t forget to follow the links provided in the job advert.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee, especially in relation to Autism Spectrum Conditions and Learning Difficulties. Familiarise yourself with the key concepts and current practices in child and adolescent mental health. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the field.
✨Showcase Your Passion
During the interview, express your passion for working with children and young people. Share any relevant experiences or volunteer work that highlights your commitment to improving mental health. This personal touch can make a big difference and help you stand out from other candidates.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and ability to handle sensitive situations. Think about potential challenges you might face in the role and how you would approach them. Practising these scenarios with a friend or mentor can boost your confidence.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, you'll likely have the chance to ask questions. Use this opportunity to inquire about the training programme, support available for trainees, or the team culture. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you determine if it's the right fit for you.
