High Intensity Cbt Trainee - Camhs

Dorset Healthcare University Nhs Foundation Trust; Poole; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is offering a funded CAMHS Community High Intensity CBT Practitioner Trainee role. You will undertake a postgraduate diploma while gaining clinical experience to deliver CBT for children, young people and families.

Successful trainees study two days per week and work three days within CYPMH services with supervision. Post-qualification progression may lead to a Band 7 CBT Therapist role.

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services.
• Evidence of ability to study and apply knowledge in practice.
• Ability to write clear reports and letters to referrers.
• Understanding of anxiety and depression in children and young people.
• Ability to use evidence-based psychological therapies in practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver High Intensity CBT interventions to children, young people and families within CYPMH Dorset.
• Spilt-time week: two days in university teaching, three days in CYPMH services with supervised caseload.
• Engage in regular clinical supervision and apply learning to practice.
• Progress towards BABCP Provisional Accreditation on successful completion.

Skills

CBT knowledge

Caseload management

Risk assessment

Therapeutic relationships

Written communication

Education

First degree in Psychology or related field (or equivalent)

Job description

Job summary

We are seeking enthusiastic, motivated and adaptable clinicians to join us as CAMHS Community High Intensity CBT Practitioner Trainees. This is a unique opportunity to undertake a fully funded Postgraduate Diploma in Evidence Based Psychological Treatment for Children and Young People (CBT Route) while gaining valuable clinical experience within a progressive and forward-thinking mental health service. The role is designed to equip practitioners with the knowledge and skills required to deliver evidence-based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) interventions to children, young people and their families.

CYPMH Dorset: A Service in Transformation

Children and Young People's Mental Health (CYPMH) Dorset is entering an exciting period of growth and transformation. Through significant new investment, we are developing and expanding our services in line with the i-THRIVE Framework, creating more responsive, accessible and needs-led support for children, young people and families across Dorset.

All posts are pan-Dorset, and candidates should be prepared to work flexibly as services continue to expand, including the introduction of extended operational hours in the future.

Main duties of the job

About the Training Programme

Successful candidates will undertake a 12-month Postgraduate Diploma in Evidence-Based Psychological Treatment for Children and Young People (CBT Route) at the University of Exeter. The programme combines academic study with supervised clinical practice, preparing trainees to deliver High Intensity CBT for children and young people experiencing anxiety, depression and related mental health difficulties.

Trainees will usually spend two days per week in university teaching and three days working within CYPMH services, developing a supervised clinical caseload and applying their learning in practice. Some teaching may be delivered online. Throughout the programme, trainees will provide evidence-based interventions within a stepped-care model and receive regular clinical supervision and support.

The course is BABCP Level 2 accredited and, on successful completion, trainees will be eligible to apply for BABCP Provisional Accreditation.

Following qualification, there may be opportunities to progress into a structured Preceptorship Programme, offering enhanced supervision, peer support, protected development opportunities and a managed caseload to support the transition into autonomous practice. Subject to successful completion and organisational requirements, this would typically lead to progression into a permanent Band 7 CBT Therapist role.

About us

At Dorset HealthCare we're on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through our outstanding, joined-up healthcare services. We're a dynamic, forward-looking Trust, running 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people.

We do things differently here - it's one of the reasons the CQC rated us 'outstanding' in 2019. It's also why 95% of patients across our services say they have a good or very good experience of our services and 89% of staff feel they can really make a difference. Whether you're looking to work with us in one of our bustling market towns, vibrant urban locations, thriving seaside spots, or among the rolling hills of Dorset, there are lots of ways you can make a difference in our communities.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do and our success is a testament to our brilliant people. We're all about building a workplace for the future, we believe in equal opportunities and we celebrate diversity. We're an inclusive workplace, where everyone is welcome, everyone can be authentic, and we are all encouraged to be the best version of ourselves.

Working with us you'll be part of a strong team, challenge yourself, build a career, and teach us what we don't know. And you'll be working towards our vision to be better every day through excellence, compassion and expertise in all we do.

Details

Band: Band 6

Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year p.a.

Contract: Fixed term, 12 months

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 152-M225.26A

Closing date: 03 November 2026

Essential Qualifications

• First degree in Psychology, medicine, social work, occupational therapy, nursing of 2:1 standard or above, or an equivalent professional qualification. Evidence of ability to study at third year undergraduate level in a relevant degree will also be considered for those without an undergraduate qualification
• A core mental health profession as defined by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) e.g. social work, OT, MH nurse, clinical or counselling psychologist, psychiatrist and have at least 2 years post qualification experience
• Some knowledge and experience of CBT
• Able to integrate training into practice

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience of working with child young people and families

Essential Skills, Experience and Knowledge

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
• Ability to meet agreed / specified service targets
• Ability to manage own caseload and time
• Demonstrates high standards in written communication
• Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers
• Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
• Computer Literate
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Has received training (either formal or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
• Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in children and young people
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems for children and young people
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post

Desirable Skills, Experience and Knowledge

• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes

Essential Additional Requirements

• Subject to the provisions of the Equality Act, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business
• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard which enables the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities of the role effectively

Essential Personal Qualities

• High levels of enthusiasm and motivation
• Advanced communication skills
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• Robust, flexible and dedicated team members able to operate under pressure at most times to meet the demands of an intensive service
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• Ability to be self reflective whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision

Desirable Personal Qualities

• Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced/Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Please note visa sponsorship for this role is unfortunately not available. Ensure you hold valid right to work in the UK and will not require sponsorship if successful. 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions.