Trainee Childrens Wellbeing Practitioner - Supporting Smiles

Harmonia Careers; Norwich; Hybrid; GBP 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A community mental health service in Norwich seeks a Trainee for a 1-year fixed-term training post. The role involves delivering evidence-based interventions to children and young people facing mental health difficulties, alongside studying for a UCL Postgraduate Diploma. Candidates must be passionate about mental health and prepared to travel across Norfolk and to London for training.

Qualifications

• Degree-level qualification required.
• Flexibility and willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Plan and deliver evidence-based interventions.
• Conduct training sessions and evaluate outcomes.
• Build relationships with community groups.

Skills

Passionate about improving mental health

Evidence-based practice

Ability to study at postgraduate level

Experience working with children/young people

Education

Undergraduate degree in Psychology or related subject

Training in nursing, social work, or related field

Job description

Overview

Location: Norwich Hub (with travel across Norfolk & Waveney and to Anna Freud, London for training)

Salary: £25,147 per annum • Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours • Start date: January 2026 • Contract: 1-year fixed-term training post

About CYP-MH

The Children and Young People's Mental Health Programme (CYP-MH) is a service transformation programme delivered by NHS England that aims to improve existing children and young people\'s mental health services (CYP-MHs) working in the community. This is a training position; the post holder will undertake training at University College London alongside working in service for Supporting Smiles.

About The Role

You will be taught to deliver evidence-based guided self-help interventions for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and how to deliver interventions in the community (e.g., participation activities, training and group delivery). The post holder will use newly developed skills to support children and young people referred into the service and trainees will receive supervision to support professional development, as well as engage local communities.

Applicants should be ready to start work in early/mid-January 2025 and posts cannot be offered unless the start date can be guaranteed. Shortlisted candidates will need to submit an application form to UCL for a place on the Diploma in Child Wellbeing Practice (details in the CWP Recruitment Pack and to be completed alongside the post application).

As a Trainee, you will:

• Assess and deliver, under supervision, outcome-focused, evidence-based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties within the community
• Attend and fulfil all requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic and practice-based assessments
• Gain a UCL Postgraduate Diploma in Child Wellbeing Practice upon successful completion

Responsibilities

• Regularly plan, deliver, and implement participation activities in service and in the community
• Prepare and deliver training sessions to professional groups within the service and in the community and evaluate their impact and outcomes
• Contribute to networking and building relationships with community groups to improve access to psychological support and enhance the impact of the CYP-MH role within the community
• Operate from an inclusive values base, recognising and respecting diversity

About Supporting Smiles

Supporting Smiles provides professional mental health support to children and young people across Norfolk and Waveney through therapeutic pathways and Children\'s Wellbeing Practitioner teams. We are part of Norfolk & Waveney\'s Children and Young Peoples Alliance, guided by THRIVE principles to ensure support is needs-led, accessible, outcome-informed, promotes shared decision-making, partnership, and proactive prevention. We deliver care within the Getting Help quadrant and work with partners to ensure appropriate support is provided.

About You / Qualifications

We are looking for enthusiastic and motivated candidates who are:

• Passionate about improving children and young people\'s mental health
• Committed to evidence-based practice, accessibility, equity, and inclusion
• Able to study and write at postgraduate level (degree-level qualification required)
• Flexible and willing to travel across Norfolk & Waveney and to London for training
• Experienced in working with children/young people in a mental health or related setting (desirable)

Qualifications

Essential

• Undergraduate degree, upper second class or above, in Psychology OR related subject OR relevant professional experience in CYP Mental Health/Education/Mentorship (case-by-case)

Desirable

• Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or related field
• Other relevant postgraduate degree

Experience

Essential

• Previous experience of working with children and young people

Desirable

• Experience of working in mental health or related services; experience with outcome-demonstrated targets; experience with diverse populations

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities

Ormiston Families is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. DBS checks or police vetting will be required for relevant posts. We are an equal opportunities employer and value diversity.

How to Apply / Contact

For more information and to apply, visit our website. Apply separately to UCL for the academic programme. Closing date: 9am, Friday 26th September 2025. DBS checks may be required.

Employer details: Ormiston Families, 11 Prince Of Wales Road, Norwich NR1 1BD. Website: https://www.ormiston.org/work-with-us/