Trainee Child and Young Person's Wellbeing Practitioner

Job summary

Lambeth CAMHS are looking to recruitCWPs to continue to improve children and young people's mental health services in Lambeth. The training forms part of the service transformation initiative delivered byNHS Englandas part of the Children and Young People'sPsychological Trainings(CYP-PT)programme.

This is a training positionpost holder will undertake training at Kings College London alongside working in service for[service]. They will be taught to deliver evidence based guided self-help interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. The post holder will use their newly developed skills to support childrenand young people who are referred into the service and trainees will receive supervision to support their professional development.

Applicants will need to be ready to start work inearly/mid-January 2027and posts cannot be offered to candidates unless they can guarantee this start date.

Shortlisted candidates will also need tosubmit an applicationform to KCL for a place on the Diploma inChildWellbeing Practice. The application form details areattached/linked belowand will need to be completed at the same time as your application for a post.

KCL CWP PGDip Cohort 12 Jan 2027- KCL Programme Brochure.pdf

KCL CWP PGDip Cohort 12 Jan 2027 - KCL Application Guidance.pdf

Training commences18thJanuary 2027

Main duties of the job

This is a training role within theChildren and Young People's Psychological Trainings programme (CYP-PT).The post-holder will work within a CYP mental health servicethat is focussed on outreach to the community. Trainees will bedelivering, under supervision, high-quality; brief outcome focused evidence-based interventions and guided self-help for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficultieswithin the community.

The training and service experience will equip the post holder with the necessary knowledge, attitude and capabilities to operate effectively in an inclusive, value driven service.

The post holder will attend all university based teachingand Onsite Protected Learning Time 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.

About us

The CWP Team in Lambeth provides support for mild to moderate difficulties using evidence based guided self-help interventions to both parents and young people. In addition to the low intensity face to face manualised interventions, the post holder will provide psycho education, specific groups and signposting of more complex cases. The team are also embedded within the wider Lambeth CAMHS service and CWP members have the opportunity to join meetings, reflective practice groups and clinical skills training with staff across Lambeth CAMHS.

The CWP team consists of clinical service leads (job share), two CBT Therapists, a Recruit to Train Trainee CBT Therapist, 3 qualified CWPs and 2 Trainee CWPs. The team is part of a friendly and nurturing local CAMHS team, where there are good training opportunities with a supportive leadership team. Lambeth CAMHS has good links to local social care, education, and voluntary services as well as National and Specialist CAMHS and our teaching and research colleagues within KCL.

The London Borough of Lambeth has a population of 317,800 (GLA 2020). Lambeth's population is highly diverse, a characteristic visible in the breadth of ethnic and cultural traditions seen throughout the borough. It is estimated that 63% of the population describe their ethnicity as other than White British; 23% describe their ethnicity as Black (11% Black African, 7% Black Caribbean and 5% Other Black), 22% White Other and 6% as Asian.

Job responsibilities

Therapeutic Skills

• Assess and deliver, under supervision, outcome-focused, evidence-based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties within the community.
• Work in partnership with children, young people and families to support the self-management of presenting difficulties.
• Develop intervention plans and agreed outcomes collaboratively with children, young people and families.
• Support and empower children, young people and families to make informed choices regarding interventions.
• Operate from an inclusive values base that recognises and respects diversity.
• Accept referrals in line with agreed national and local protocols.
• Undertake accurate assessments of risk to self and others.
• Adhere to service referral pathways and, under supervision, signpost unsuitable referrals to appropriate services.
• Escalate cases where needs become more severe or exceed the scope of the service, ensuring safe practice and adherence to service protocols.
• Deliver evidence-based psychological interventions, primarily guided self-help, through face-to-face, telephone and digital methods.
• Maintain agreed activity levels, ensuring timely access to services and minimising waiting times.
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings relating to referrals and children and young people in treatment where appropriate.
• Maintain accurate and timely records in line with service requirements and utilise outcome measures to inform clinical decision-making.
• Complete all required data collection and reporting activities.
• Consider issues relating to education, training, employment and transitions as part of the therapeutic process.
• Work collaboratively with professionals, families and other agencies involved in care.
• Support initiatives that enhance and widen access to services for children, young people and their communities.

Training and Supervision

• Attend and successfully complete all academic, clinical and practice-based elements of the training programme.
• Participate in university teaching and fulfil private study requirements.
• Apply learning from the training programme directly to practice.
• Receive and engage with practice tutoring and academic support to meet required standards.
• Prepare and present caseload information within scheduled supervision sessions.
• Respond positively to supervision and implement recommendations in practice.
• Engage in personal development and reflective supervision to enhance knowledge, skills and competencies.

Professional Responsibilities

• Maintain professional standards of practice in accordance with employer policies and relevant professional guidance.
• Keep up to date with current recommendations, guidance, research and developments within children's mental health services.
• Ensure confidentiality is maintained at all times.
• Agree, review and work towards objectives as part of continuing professional development.
• Participate in appraisal and performance review processes.
• Maintain accurate records of continuing professional development activities.
• Attend relevant training, conferences and workshops in support of professional objectives.

General Responsibilities

• Support the collection and reporting of service and workforce data.
• Contribute to the development and promotion of best practice within the service.
• Maintain a comprehensive understanding of safeguarding legislation, guidance and best practice.
• Keep up to date with national and local policies relating to children and young people's mental health.
• Ensure all information is processed accurately, securely and in accordance with GDPR, information governance and confidentiality requirements.
• Act with honesty, integrity and professionalism, ensuring official positions are not used for personal gain.
• Undertake additional duties appropriate to the role as required by service developments and organisational needs.

Please refer to the attached Job Description for the detailed job description and main responsibilities of the role.