Therapy Trainee – Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents

Anna Freud; Greater London; On-site; GBP 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Perkbox access

Pension scheme

27 days annual leave

Job summary

The Anna Freud Centre in London offers a unique Therapy Trainee post within its IPT-A training programme, combining NHS England-funded placement with UCL/Anna Freud postgraduate education. The role blends teaching, supervised clinical work, and assessment of adolescents with depression, all under robust supervision.

Trainees are employed by Anna Freud for one year and enrolled as UCL/Anna Freud students, with a timetable of teaching, self-study, and practical placements across community and

Qualifications

• A registered or accredited core qualification in a mental health profession and current registration with the relevant professional body.
• A minimum second-class bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, or mental health professional training, with at least two years’ post-qualification experience delivering supervised psychological therapy.
• At least two years’ post-qualification therapeutic experience with young people and/or their families in a mental health setting, including multi-agency working and knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and IPT-A principles.
• Ability to communicate sensitively, reflect on challenging work in supervision, maintain records and manage caseload demands while balancing postgraduate study with clinical practice.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, collaboration and the travel requirements of the role.

Responsibilities

• Assess referrals, including mental health and risk assessment, and deliver supervised, evidence-informed IPT-A interventions for adolescents experiencing depression.
• Work collaboratively with young people, families, the multidisciplinary team, schools, primary care, social care and other services.
• Embed the voice of young people and families, collect routine outcome measures, and maintain accurate, confidential clinical records.
• Attend weekly clinical supervision and regular managerial supervision, complete all postgraduate training requirements, and follow Anna Freud’s safeguarding and clinical governance procedures.

Skills

Communication

Record keeping

Caseload management

Equity inclusion

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant subject

Job description

Therapy Trainee – Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents

Location London Application Deadline Wednesday, November 18, 2026 Deadline Time 12:00 PM Positions Available 1 Vacancy Type Fixed Term/Full Time Working Hours Usually Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00; around 2–3 days per week for academic teaching and study, with at least 2.5 days per week of clinical work Salary £47,951 FTE per annum; 6% contributory pension scheme; Job Documents Application Guidance Job Profile document
Job Summary

About Anna Freud

Anna Freud has an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Trainings: Therapy Trainee (Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents, IPT-A) to join its Specialist Clinical Services as part of the NHS England (NHSE)-funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programmes.

This NHS England-funded initiative supports the development of the child mental health workforce. It combines a one-year, full-time employment post with UCL/Anna Freud postgraduate training, offering the opportunity to put teaching into practice through supervised assessments and brief, outcome-focused IPT-A interventions for adolescents experiencing depression.

Our EDI Commitment

Anna Freud is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, with equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) at the heart of our recruitment practices. We welcome applications from all candidates who meet the job criteria, regardless of ethnic origin, religion or belief, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, socioeconomic background, caring responsibilities or care experience.

As a Disability Confident employer, disabled candidates who meet our criteria are guaranteed an interview. Applications are submitted anonymously and assessed fairly against the criteria outlined in our job profiles. We also invite candidates to share their diversity information to help us identify and address potential bias. This information is held securely by our Recruitment team and is not shared with hiring managers or interview panels or used in selection decisions.

We aim to provide reasonable adjustments where operationally possible to ensure an accessible and inclusive recruitment process. All employees are expected to uphold Anna Freud's safeguarding, confidentiality and information governance policies.

What we offer

We offer a range of staff benefits , including an all-in-one rewards and recognition platform called Perkbox and wellbeing offers such as finishing early on Fridays and free counselling through our Employee Assistance Programme. We are proud to have staff-led Diversity Networks offering unique opportunities for learning, connection and impact.

Training information

The UCL/Anna Freud postgraduate training in IPT-A begins in January 2027. Trainees are Anna Freud employees and enrolled students of UCL/Anna Freud. The programme combines academic teaching, self-study, supervised clinical casework and assignments. Successful completion leads to a UCL Postgraduate Diploma.

Teaching takes place in person at Anna Freud in Central London (4–8 Rodney Street, N1 9JH). Clinical practice takes place within Anna Freud’s Specialist Clinical Services and relevant community and school settings, so trainees must be able to meet the travel requirements of the role.

What you'll do

• Assess referrals, including mental health and risk assessment, and deliver supervised, evidence-informed IPT-A interventions for adolescents experiencing depression.
• Work collaboratively with young people, families, the multidisciplinary team, schools, primary care, social care and other services.
• Embed the voice of young people and families, collect routine outcome measures, and maintain accurate, confidential clinical records.
• Attend weekly clinical supervision and regular managerial supervision, complete all postgraduate training requirements, and follow Anna Freud’s safeguarding and clinical governance procedures.

What we're looking for

We are seeking highly motivated candidates who want to support adolescents experiencing depression through inclusive, evidence-based IPT-A practice. Applicants should be committed to the programme principles of accessibility, accountability, participation, awareness and evidence-based practice.

• A registered or accredited core qualification in a mental health profession and current registration with the relevant professional body.
• A minimum second-class bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, or mental health professional training, with at least two years’ post-qualification experience delivering supervised psychological therapy.
• At least two years’ post-qualification therapeutic experience with young people and/or their families in a mental health setting, including multi-agency working and knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and IPT-A principles.
• Ability to communicate sensitively, reflect on challenging work in supervision, maintain records and manage caseload demands while balancing postgraduate study with clinical practice.
• A commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, collaboration and the travel requirements of the role.

Application process

This is a dual application process. You must apply separately for the Anna Freud employment post and the UCL training course, and be successful in both. The UCL Course Team will review academic eligibility during recruitment. A UCL training place will only be offered if you secure the employment post and meet the university’s requirements.

Apply through the UCL online application portal

Candidates should also read the ‘UCL CYP PT: Therapy – Application Guidance for Candidates’, including NHS England’s two-year post-graduation funding rule, before applying. This guidance should be supplied with the advert.

Before you apply

Please review the Interpersonal Psychotherapy for Adolescents (IPT-A) course information and application guidance.

Further information: UCL/Anna Freud CYP Psychological Trainings: Therapy postgraduate course | Prospective trainee FAQs

The full essential criteria and assessment methods are set out in the accompanying Job Profile.

Closing date and enquiries

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 18 November

For application or reasonable-adjustment queries: [e-mail]

For course teaching or content queries: [e-mail]

Key details

Employer and contract: Anna Freud, Full-time, one-year fixed-term training and employment post

Salary and benefits: £47,951 FTE per annum, plus a 6% contributory pension scheme; 27 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays (FTE)

Location: Anna Freud’s Specialist Clinical Services and community settings; 4–8 Rodney Street, London N1 9JH

Working pattern: Usually Monday to Friday, 09:00–17:00; around 2–3 days per week for teaching/personal study and at least 2.5 days for clinical work

Anticipated employment start date: Monday 4 January 2027 (or Monday 11 January 2027 by agreement), within Anna Freud's Specialist Clinical Services.

Course start date: Monday 18 January 2027, including in-person induction at Anna Freud, King's Cross.

Pre-employment check: Enhanced DBS with Adult and Child checks

Questions?

Please email [e-mail] with any job enquiries, or if you require assistance or experience difficulties when applying. Please note that successful candidate(s) will be asked to evidence their Right to Work in the UK post-job offer – we do not hold a sponsor license therefore we are unable to provide Visa sponsorship.

Data protection

Information submitted in your application (including your name and contact details, qualifications and relevant experience) will be shared with relevant Anna Freud staff as part of the recruitment process to assess eligibility for the training. As this is a joint Anna Freud and UCL programme, your data may also be shared with UCL for the purposes of shortlisting and, if successful, enrolment onto the programme. Please refer to the relevant privacy notices.