Children Wellbeing Practitioner Trainee (Kent)

South West London and St Georges Mental Health Trust; Maidstone; Hybrid; GBP 27,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health organization based in Maidstone is seeking a trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP). This role offers a unique opportunity to train while working with deaf children facing emotional and behavioral challenges. The successful candidate will receive specialized training and supervision, contributing to a supportive mental health service. Ideal for candidates eager to develop their skills in a collaborative environment with flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Evidence of ability to study at degree level is required.
• Minimum qualifications include a 2:2 degree or A-levels at AAB-BBB.
• Eligible for home fees for university study.

Responsibilities

• Deliver brief, evidence-based interventions under clinical supervision.
• Engage in structured psychological assessments with clients.
• Support formulation and delivery of care plans collaboratively.

Skills

Excellent communication

Teamwork

Ability to learn and adapt

Experience in mental health

Education

Postgraduate Diploma or Graduate Diploma

Job description

Overview

A Vacancy at South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust. This is a unique opportunity to train as a Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP) within National Deaf Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service. The post holder will be working with Deaf Children with emotional/behavioral problems, their parents, schools, and other agencies in the community. This role would suit a deaf or hearing, BSL using and non-BSL using clinician. The post is salaried and fully funded for a one-year qualification in Children’s Wellbeing Practice, through the University of Sussex University and NHS England. Further intensive supervision and on-the-job training will be provided by a Clinical Psychologist in a CWP Lead role. Video link about CWP training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyEus6q7MnA

Responsibilities

• Deliver brief, evidence-based interventions and guided self-help for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties, under clinical supervision.
• Attend university-based teaching activities and progress through assessments to attain an academic and professional qualification (Graduate Diploma or Postgraduate Diploma in CWP).
• Work as a trainee in the service for the remaining part of the week, using newly developed skills.
• Engage in structured psychological assessments, including self-report measures, rating scales, and discussions with clients, families, and others involved in care.
• Support formulation and delivery of care plans and work collaboratively with relevant others to provide early intervention to children and young people.
• Attend and contribute to multi-disciplinary meetings; receive regular clinical supervision and follow professional practice guidelines.
• Work across a variety of sites, including mainstream and specialist schools, community sites, or via virtual meeting technology; work with BSL and/or spoken interpreters as needed.
• Operate under a Job Plan agreed with a Clinical Psychologist and within the framework of the team’s policies and procedures and the Sussex University CWP programme.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Evidence of ability to study at degree level; course available at two levels (graduate diploma or postgraduate diploma).
• Minimum qualifications:
  • Postgraduate Diploma: a 2:2 degree.
  • Graduate Diploma: A-levels at AAB-BBB or eligible for a contextual offer BBB-BBC.
• Ready to start work in the week commencing 5 January 2026.
• Eligible for 'home fees' for university study (fees paid by NHS England); please refer to Sussex University for fee status.
• Excellent communication and teamwork; ability to learn, be challenged, use feedback, and adapt.
• Experience in a mental health setting or school pastoral care; experience with children; understanding of talking with children.
• Commitment to using data and relevant measures to assess clinical outcomes.
• Travel is required; car driver with valid licence and business insurance desirable.

Location and Training Details

The Kent team is a small, friendly, innovative, and bilingual group of deaf and hearing staff with strong links to National Deaf CAMHS teams. The National Deaf CAMHS, South-East of England Service is based in Coxheath Village, Maidstone, Kent. The post holder will work with hybrid/agile arrangements and attend the unit for specific assessments and meetings. The successful candidate will work autonomously and collaboratively with deaf and hearing colleagues to support a therapeutic service for deaf children and young people and their families across the South-East of England, in community settings or via virtual meetings.

Training and Supervision

The post is a training role enrolled in a graduate or postgraduate diploma at the University of Sussex to deliver the national curriculum for CWPs. You will attend all university teaching elements, complete assessments, and progress toward qualification. For the remaining part of the week, you will work as a trainee in the service under supervision, delivering interventions with appropriate scope for your level of training. You will receive high-quality supervision to support your development.

Expectations and Service Model

The trainee CWP will work under the supervision of a qualified Clinical Psychologist to support and enhance psychological care. You will work independently and with colleagues under a Job Plan and Trust policies, with an innovative, flexible, and adaptable approach. You will follow lone working and complete mandatory training. Travel is a requirement of the role.

Additional Information

This advert closes on Tuesday 30 Sep 2025.