Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioner

The Link; Tees Valley; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

The Link, a Middlesbrough-based mental health and wellbeing provider, offers a training role for Child Wellbeing Practitioners in Tees Valley. The programme combines university-led study with hands-on practice across CAMHS and school referral delivery, starting January 2027.

Successful candidates will be enrolled in an 12-month training programme, supported to gain a postgraduate-level qualification, with potential employment on completion and a salary aligned to NHS AfC Band 5 scale.

Qualifications

• Training role commencing January 2027 as part of CYP IAPT.
• Must demonstrate degree level or equivalent in child development, wellbeing or mental health.
• Training funded at NHS AfC Band 4 with potential progression to Band 5 on completion.

Responsibilities

• Deliver brief, outcome-focused, evidence-based interventions with supervision.
• Work with children, young people and families across CAMHS settings and schools.
• Attend university-based taught and self-directed study days with Northumbria University; apply learning in school referrals.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience

Job description

Child Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs) are specialist practitioners in assessing and treating mild to moderate depression and anxiety in children and young people. CWPs are highly adaptable; working with children, young people and their families within traditional Child and Adolescent mental health services, local authorities, third sector charities and in schools. This is firstly a training role within CYP IAPT. The post-holder will work within the Tees Valley Getting Help Team as part of a wider team of practitioners, delivering, with supervision, high-quality; brief outcome focused evidence-based interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. These may include psycho-education, self-help and work with presentation such as anxiety, low mood and anger. 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 taught and self-directed study days required by Northumbria University (Higher Education Institute), as specified within the agreed national curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week (3 days) using their newly developed skills as part of schools referral delivery model.

Successful candidates will be offered a full-time educational programme specifically for the role in partnership with Northumbria University. This post will be funded at NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 4 level, gaining credits towards a postgraduate level qualification, there may also be an opportunity for employment on successful completion of training, with a starting salary projected to be based on the NHS AfC Band 5 scale. To enable this, all applicants must demonstrate in their application the ability to work at degree level or have an equivalent level of relevant experience, with a proven record of previous learning or formal study in child development, wellbeing or mental health. The training programme for this post is due to start in January 2027, is 12 months in duration and will consist of academic and supervised practice learning across mental health services. Delivery of the programme will be provided through a combination of taught days within the University, independent self-guided study days and experience gained in mental health services.

The Link is a Middlesbrough based professional mental health and emotional wellbeing provider. We provide therapeutic services to children, young people and families across the North East including Redcar & Cleveland, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Stockton on Tees and Darlington. Our services include a wide range of workshops and training, therapeutic assessments, one to one therapeutic interventions including specialist therapies and Children and Young People Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (CYP IAPT) evidence-based therapies. The Link, along with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust, Alliance Psychology, The Junction, Teesside Mind, and Changing Futures North East formed a partnership to create the Tees Valley Getting Help Service. By pooling our resources and combining our expertise, we offer a range of mental health support, to make it easier for children, young people and their families to find the help that fits their needs. We provide a wide range of support, including working directly with children and young people, offering advice and guidance for families, and providing training and support for parents and carers, school staff, and other professionals.