About this role
Job summary
We are seeking highly motivated and clinically experienced candidates who are enthusiastic about making a difference to children and young peoples mental health through evidence-based interventions based on NICE Guideline recommended treatment. You will have a registerable professional qualification in a relevant subject with experience working with children, young people and their families in a mental health setting. Please see the job description and specification for more details.
CHUMS has an exciting opportunity for a CYP Psychological Therapies Autism and Learning Disability (ASC / LD) trainee placement as part of NHS England (NHSE) funding.This government-funded initiative promotes the growth and skill of the child mental health workforce to meet much needed demand. NHSE covers salary and training costs for a 1-year position, allowing services to develop trainees to support specialist pathways to bridge the gaps in CYP mental health support.
Main duties of the job
This is a unique opportunity to apply your learning from weekly teaching into practical clinical interventions working with clients in an experienced organisation making a direct impact in the lives of children, young people and their families.
Please note: The position will be part of the Milton Keynes Wellbeing service and will therefore require community working in Milton Keynes. The trainee will also expected to travel to London for teaching during the training year.
The PG Dip in CYP PT course starts in January 2027 and will be completed over 1 year.
Students will study their modality (ASC / LD) Modules alongside Core Skills Modules. Students will be required to attend university regularly each week. The remaining time in role will be spent working clinically within your service with children, young people with symptoms of anxiety or depression, their families, schools and wider systems.
The ideal candidates will have a background in a core profession or extensive experience as a CAMHS practitioner, as well as some experience of working with children and young people up to the age of 18 with a range of mild to moderate mental health difficulties, either individually or in groups.
About us
CHUMS is an innovative, dynamic and employee-owned Social Enterprise. CHUMS left the NHS in 2011 to become an independent Social Enterprise affording more freedom to offer its services in a way that best suits the needs of children, young people and families. As an organisation we now deliver over 10 services across 4 counties.
Job description Job responsibilities
The Children and Young Peoples Psychological Therapies (CYP-PT) is a service transformation programme that aims to improve existing children and young peoples mental health Services (CYP MHS) working in the community.
Job Purpose
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Therapeutic skills
1.1. With the assistance of their clinical supervisor accept appropriate referrals;
1.2. Assess clients for suitability for the treatment for which modality specific training is provided;
1.3. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary;
1.4. Undertakes accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
1.5. Formulate, implement and evaluate therapeutic intervention for clients in line with their training modality and experience;
1.6. Involve the system around the child in treatment as appropriate, e.g. parent/carer, school, conveying therapy formulations and care plans with sensitivity in easily understood language;
1.7. Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education and training/employment into the overall therapeutic process.
1.8. Work in collaboration with children, young people and communities to enhance and widen access.
1.9. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate;
1.10. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service;
1.11. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols;
1.12. Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up, step-down and signposting arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.
1.13. Operate at all times from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.
2. Training and Supervision
2.1. Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic and practice-based assessments.
2.2 As well as attendance at the University for training, fulfil private study requirements to enhance learning and prepare assignments for examination, for at least one day a week.
2.3. Apply learning from the training programme to practice.
2.4. Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical, case management supervisors and practice tutors on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor and service are delivered.
2.5. Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in practice.
2.6. Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and practice.
3. Professional
3.1. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating bodies, and keep up-to-date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the relevant departments.
3.2. Ensure that confidentiality is protected at all times.
3.3 Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of care pathway;
3.4. Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with supervisor and senior colleagues on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.
3.5. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.
3.6. Keep all records up to date in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plans maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.
3.7. Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line with identified professional objectives.
4. General
4.1. Support the collection of data and facilitate data flow to the collaborative.
4.2. Contribute to the development of best practice within the service.
4.3. Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance and best practice.
4.4. Maintain up-to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to children and young peoples mental health
4.5. All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.
4.6. It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.
4.7. This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.
Person Specification
Skills and Competencies Essential
Ability to manage own caseload and time Ability to be flexible and creative in facilitating engagement with children and young people with ASC and/or LD and their families. Ability to adapt communication style according to the varying needs and levels of comprehension of children and young people with ASC and/or LD. Ability to reflect on own practice (in clinical supervision and practice tutor groups with course peers); Professional experience / understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences good clinical practice. Demonstrates high standards in written and verbal communicationAbility to manage own caseload and time Ability to be flexible and creative in facilitating engagement with children and young people with ASC and/or LD and their families. Ability to adapt communication style according to the varying needs and levels of comprehension of children and young people with ASC and/or LD. Ability to reflect on own practice (in clinical supervision and practice tutor groups with course peers Professional experience / understanding of evidence-based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences good clinical practice. Demonstrates high standards in written and verbal communication Team Player Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload. Excellent IT/Computer skills; Ability to follow policy and clinical governance procedures; Ability to maintain accurate records; Ability to complete academic work across different learning environments at postgraduate level and balance the academic demands of the course with clinical placement demands; Demonstrates adaptability and able to work with diverse communities; Excellent time management and organisational abilities with the ability to autonomously manage a complex caseload Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate proficiency at IELTS Band D (or equivalent). More information for international students is available on UCLs website. Full, enhanced and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role. Able to travel to meet post requirements.
Desirable
Ability to adopt a multi-agency working, especially in relation to complex cases with multiple needs, where a more systemic approach is required. Grew-up in, or has experience of living or working in Milton Keynes Speaks another language other than English Identifies as being from an underrepresented group within the profession
Experience Essential
2 or more years of qualified experience working within children and young people and families in a mental health setting; Experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health, development and wellbeing of children and young people with ASC and/or LD and their families. Demonstrates an understanding and appreciation of the unique challenges associated with ASC and/or LD for children, young people and their families. Demonstrates awareness of the significantly increased risk of co-morbid mental health and other neuro-developmental problems in this population. Knowledge and understanding of the key features and symptoms associated with ASC and/or LD. Knowledge and understanding of importance to modify, adapt methods of communication and intervention for this population. Knowledge, understanding and practical experience of issues relating to risk and safeguarding assessment and management of children and young people.
Desirable
Worked in a service where agreed targets in place to demonstrating outcomes Demonstrates an appreciation of the range of factors that can impact on emotional well-being of children and young people with ASC and/or LD and their families. Demonstrates an appreciation of the MDT approach and involving other agencies, such as education and social care in order to ensure that the needs of children and young people with ASC and/or LD are well understood and effectively met.
Qualifications Essential
Evidence of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties A minimum of a second-class Bachelor's degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology) OR Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but have relevant professional experience are still encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis. A registerable professional qualification in a relevant field with therapy experience (e.g. psychology, CWP, EMHP and low intensity therapies, nursing, health visiting, social work, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special needs teaching, psychiatry, psychotherapy, counselling)
Desirable
Extra training related to neurodivergence
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.
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name CHUMS
Address Wrest Park Enterprise Centre
Wrest Park
Silsoe
MK45 4HS
United Kingdom
Employer's website http://chums.uk.com/ (Opens in a new tab)