At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children's mental health through practical clinical interventions and training.
- Company: Join Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust, a leader in child mental health services.
- 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 gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Passion for mental health and eligibility to work in the UK required.
- Other info: Unique opportunity to study at UCL while working in a supportive environment.
The predicted salary is between 8000 - 12000 £ per month.
Overview
Child and Young People’s Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee– Infant and Early Years Practitioner Parent-Infant (IEYP – PI).
This is a 1-year fixed term contract. The successful candidate must be able to start the post on 12th January 2026.
About the Programme
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.
We have an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Trainings: Therapy Trainee (IEYP) 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 your 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.
Please note: 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.
Benefits and Recruitment
We offer our staff a number of great benefits, wellbeing initiatives and lifestyle savings which can be easily accessed via our benefits and wellbeing portal. For more detail, please read our ‘HCT Benefits’ document which is attached to our vacancy adverts. The Trust is committed to gold standard recruitment. In support of this, please read our ‘Supplementary Information’ document which is attached to our 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.
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 (shortlisting) 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=
Candidates are advised to avoid use of ChatGPT or similar AI support when completing your application. This vacancy may close early if we received a high volume of applications. This advert closes on Thursday 2 Oct 2025
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee – IEYP-PI | 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 – IEYP-PI | Hertfordshire Community NHS Trust
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to professionals in the mental health field, especially those connected to the NHS. 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 child and adolescent mental health. We recommend role-playing with a friend or using mock interview platforms to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for mental health during interviews. Share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to improving the lives of children and young people.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the resources you need to ace the process right there.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Practitioner Therapy Trainee – IEYP-PI | 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. It’s important to understand what the role entails and how your skills align with the requirements. This will help us tailor your application to highlight the most relevant experiences.
Show Your Passion for Mental Health: Let your enthusiasm for mental health shine through in your application. Share any personal experiences or motivations that led you to pursue this field. We want to see your genuine interest in making a difference in the lives of children and young people.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and overly complex language. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets your message across effectively. Remember, less is often more!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Step2. Good luck!
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 and the specific needs of children and young people. Familiarise yourself with the principles of early intervention and how they apply to mental health. This will show your genuine interest and commitment to the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss any relevant experience you have, whether it's from previous roles, volunteer work, or academic projects. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported children or families in a mental health context, as this will demonstrate your practical understanding of the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the training programme, the team you'll be working with, and the types of cases you might encounter. This not only shows your enthusiasm but also helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Authenticity goes a long way in interviews. Be honest about your motivations for applying and what you hope to achieve in this role. The interviewers want to see the real you and how you would fit into their team, so don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through!