Assistant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) are delighted to invite applications for an Assistant Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist. This post is funded by NHS England and offers a unique opportunity for individuals committed to pursuing a career in child and adolescent psychotherapy.

The successful candidate will be supported to complete a recognised pre-clinical training and, if successful in gaining a place on the clinical training, will be employed to continue their development as a Trainee Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist (CAPT) within CFHD. This post is aimed at individuals who are either:

• Already enrolled on a recognised pre-clinical course (such as Working with Children, Young People and Families: A Psychoanalytic Observational Approach (M7) or equivalent recognised by the Association of Child Psychotherapists), or
• In the process of securing a place to begin in September 2025.

You will already be working with children and young people in a professional capacity and have a sound understanding of psychoanalytic thinking. You will be passionate about developing your career as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist and committed to the training pathway required by the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP). Depending on your stage in the pre-clinical journey, there may be an opportunity to join the clinical team in a part-time capacity while completing the required course components.

Main duties of the job include delivering integrated physical and mental health services for children and young people across Devon. CFHD values psychoanalytic thinking as part of its wider therapeutic offer within CAMHS. You will be joining a warm, inclusive, and reflective team committed to high-quality care and professional development.

The Post Includes The Following Funded Support:

• Course fees for a recognised pre-clinical training (e.g. M7 or equivalent)
• Personal psychoanalysis fees and travel expenses (from year 2)
• Employment at Band 6, 1 day per week to complete the course requirements
• Option to move into a full-time Band 6 Assistant CAPT role following successful completion of the first year of pre-clinical training
• Progression to Band 6 Trainee CAPT (WTE) post within Devon CAMHS, subject to successfully gaining a place on the 4-year clinical training

The successful applicant will need to have secured, or be in the process of securing, a place on a pre-clinical course recognised by the ACP for September 2025.

About Us: We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist & secure services for the wider south west region & nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health & wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise & resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe & focused on people's recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families & carers in everything we do. Our values include showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity & compassion.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer & applications are encouraged & welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time & flexible working applications will be considered & supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities.

Job responsibilities: Prior to application, applicants are encouraged to contact Angharad Howell (professional lead for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy) for informal discussion about pre-qualifications and experience before applying.

Person Specification:

Essential:

• An honours degree level qualification giving eligibility to train at Masters level in Child & Adolescent Psychotherapy
• Post graduate qualification in Working with Children, Young People and Families, A psychoanalytic Observational Approach or eligible to apply
• Evidence of relevant CPD.

Desirable:

• Core degree level qualification in e.g. Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, or other equivalent profession.
• Professional registration/accreditation with a recognised body, e.g. NMC, HCPC, Social Work England, UKCP, BABCP

Essential:

• Experience of working with children and young people (0-18)
• Experience of collaborative working with professionals across a range of agencies in health, social care and education.
• Experience that evidences an ability to tend to diversity and work in a way that promotes anti-discriminatory practice.
• Experience of safeguarding children and ensuring the safety of young people in partnership with other agencies as appropriate.

Desirable:

• Experience of engaging/working with children, young people, families and carers with complex mental health needs and undertaking specialist mental health assessments and evidence-based therapeutic interventions in the community, including risk assessments.

Essential:

• Knowledge of mental health presentations and evidence-based clinical interventions.
• Understanding of relevant legislation pertaining to children's mental health.
• Understanding of the use in practice of assessment tools, routine outcome measures and goal-based care.
• Knowledge of child development.
• Aware of child protection and safeguarding procedures.

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.

Applicants must have current UK professional registration.