Trainee Children & Young People Systemic Family Practitioner

NHS; Sunderland; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fitness Centre (SRH)

Libraries at hospital sites

Chaplaincy support

Care Coordinator for staff childcare

Job summary

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is recruiting a Trainee Systemic Family Practitioner to deliver evidence-based therapies to children, young people and families within CYPMHS in Sunderland, South Tyneside or Gateshead. The training pathway includes a Post Graduate Diploma at Northumbria University starting January 2027.

The role requires a professional qualification in a relevant field, a full UK driving licence, and willingness to work flexibly across localities to meet

Qualifications

• Experience of working in assessment and treatment to support the mental health needs of children, young people and their families.
• Knowledge and experience of safeguarding and the promotion of welfare in children and young people.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other IT packages.

Responsibilities

• Deliver evidence-based systemic family interventions.
• Work within CYP mental health service across Sunderland, South Tyneside or Gateshead.
• Support traineeship and complete Post Graduate Diploma training within 12 months.

Skills

CYP mental health

Microsoft Office

Time & caseload management

Report writing

Safeguarding

Interdisciplinary teamwork

Flexible working

Education

Post Graduate Diploma in Evidence Based Psychological Therapy (Systemic Family Practice)

Professional qualification in teaching/nursing/SW/AHP/psychological therapy

CYP-PT funded training eligibility (last 2 years)

Job description

Trainee Children & Young People Systemic Family Practitioner

The closing date is 30 September 2026

In an exciting development, South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust (STSFT) are seeking to recruit a Trainee Systemic Family Practitioner. The post holder will be supported to deliver evidence-based psychological treatment to children and young people and their families in one of our established Children and Young People's Mental Health Services (CYPMHS) in Sunderland, South Tyneside or Gateshead.

Successful applicant will gain experience of providing psychological therapies for children and young people using NICE-recommended and evidence-based mental health treatments. As a trainee, they will also be expected to attend and complete a Post Graduate Diploma in Systemic Family Practice, training programme at Northumbria University (Newcastle) and gain the skills and knowledge to enable them to deliver systemic interventions. The training course with the university commences in January 2027, therefore it is essential that the trainees will be available for employment January 2027.

Main duties of the job

• The trainee will undertake and successfully complete training in the Post Graduate Diploma in Evidence Based Psychological Therapy (Systemic Family Practice) at Northumbria University within 12 months.
• They will be eligible for training if they have not accessed an CYP-PT funded training programme within the last 2 years of qualifying.
• They will need to have a professional qualification in teaching, nursing, SW, AHP, counselling or within a psychological therapy.
• Experience of working in assessment and treatment to support the mental health needs of children, young people and their families.
• Experience of working within the community.
• Ability to engage vulnerable and underserved populations.
• Knowledge and experience of safeguarding and the promotion of welfare in children and young people.
• Knowledge of universal and specialist children’s mental health service provision.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Proven time and caseload management skills.
• Ability to work flexibly in a variety of environments.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other associated IT packages.
• Proven organisational skills.
• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.

About us

One Team One Trust – There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award-winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture/working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under-represented groups. Looking after our workforce's health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits –

• Fitness Centre (SRH)
• Libraries at both hospital sites
• Chaplaincy support
• Access to a Care Coordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements

Job responsibilities

For the post holder to work as a member of the Children and Young People's mental Health Service (CYPMHS).

For the post holder to be part of one of the localities of Sunderland, South Tyneside or Gateshead. To be identified on appointment.

For the post holder to work with children and young people and their families who have a range of mental health problems that can benefit from a systemic family intervention. The post holder will deliver this in a training capacity.

For the post holder to use evidence-based interventions as per clinical training (Systemic Family Practice), and deliver training where appropriate.

For the post holder to work with children and young people and families from different cultural backgrounds and underserved populations, using interpreters when necessary and be committed to providing equal opportunities.

For the post holder to meet targets that are set within the service.

For the post holder to successfully undertake training on the Post Graduate Diploma in Evidence Based Psychological Therapies (Systemic Family Practice) course at Northumbria University and complete within 12 months.

Person Specification

Knowledge & Skills

• Working Knowledge of universal and specialist childrens mental health service provision.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office and other associated IT packages.
• Proven organisational skills.
• Proven time and caseload management skills.
• Able to write clear reports and letters. Demonstrates a high standard in both written and oral communication.
• Ability to engage vulnerable and underserved populations.
• Ability to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Ability to work flexibly in a variety of environments.
• Ability to work under supervision and make good use of the supervisory process for personal and clinical development.
• Experience of and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
• Demonstrates an understanding of the need for evidence based psychological therapies.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of child development and the links with childhood mental health.

Qualifications

• Willingness to Undertake and successfully complete Post Graduate Diploma in Evidence Based Psychological Therapy (Systemic Family Practice) training at Northumbria University, within 12 months.
• Professional qualification teaching, nursing, SW, AHP, Counselling or within a psychological therapy.
• Trainees are eligible for training if they have not accessed an CYP-PT funded training programme within the last 2 years of qualifying.

Experience

• Experience of working in a children and young peoples mental health service.
• Experience of offering assessments and treatments to children, young people and their families.
• Experience of working within the community or education setting.
• Knowledge and experience of safeguarding and the promotion of welfare in children and young people.
• Working in a service where agreed service targets are in place that demonstrates clinical outcomes.

Physical Skills

• Hold a full UK driving licence and have access to a vehicle.
• Ability to manage own time and diary and to manage demands of both training course and work in service.
• Ability to sit, stand, and walk is across the full duration of the working day.
• Ability to on occasion, move and handle objects in line with Trust guidelines using appropriate aids.
• Ability to work flexibly sometimes working additional or unsocial hours as necessary to meet the needs of the service and ensure a complete understanding is had in relation to care delivery.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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 (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust