About this role
Job summary
CYP IAPT ASC-LD Training Role (Recruit To Train Therapist)
We are advertising 1 post in Gloucester House, Tavistock Centre's Children's Day Unit at the North London NHS Foundation Trust.
Further information about the service is available through the links below:
Gloucester House School Gloucester House School, Camden - Working together for learning and development
Job overviewThe Tavistock Centre at North London NHS Foundation Trust has an exciting opportunity for a Recruit to Train Trainees (ASC-LD) to join one of our teams as part of the NHS England (NHSE) funded Children and Young People (CYP) Psychological Training Programmes.
We are looking for a dynamic clinicians with a passion for working innovatively to promote the well-being of Children, Young People and their Families to apply for these fully funded posts. This is an exciting opportunity to combine clinical experience and training and to work within a multidisciplinary team to offer therapeutic services to autistic children and young people and with ASC and/or learning disabilities.
The post holders will provide assessment and interventions and evidence-based interventions, whilst undertaking a programme of training. Applicants will be able to balance a busy work and study schedule, and to study and write academic material at postgraduate diploma level. Applicants must be prepared to study and complete assignments outside of protected study time (such as on weekends and after work).
Main duties of the job
This full-time training will begin in January 2027 with around 2.5 days a week for academic work (teaching and personal study), and 2.5 days based at the service seeing clients related to training assignments. Trainees will be both an employee of the service and an enrolled student with UCL. Upon completion, qualified trainees will receive a UCL Postgraduate Diploma.
Application ProcessThis is a dual application process. In addition to applying for this position with us, you must also complete a UCL application for the Course Team to review. The Course Team will liaise with us on whether you meet the academic requirements for the course during the recruitment process. You will only be offered a UCL training place if you are successful in securing this post and you meet the university training requirements (such as academic background, relevant experience, visa approval). Please note due to a change in process for this recruitment cycle, only shortlisted candidates will receive information on applying to UCL. Please be aware the information on your application form (name and contact details, qualifications and prior relevant experience) will be shared with the Anna Freud staff team as part of the recruitment process.
By submitting your application to this role, you are agreeing to your details being shared with Anna Freud
https://www.annafreud.org/ucl-postgraduate-study/ucl-postgraduate-programmes/child-and-young-person-iapt-therapy-pg-dip/
About us
Thank you for your interest in North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT).
As of 1 April 2026, NLFT has formally merged with Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust--marking the start of an exciting new chapter. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at a time of transformation, where we are strengthening access to mental health services, responding more effectively to complex and specialist needs, and advancing our work in education, research and innovation.
By bringing together our combined expertise, we are building a stronger, more collaborative Trust--one that delivers consistent, high-quality care and improved outcomes for the diverse communities we serve.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please see the attached Job Description and Person specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Qualifications that demonstrate a capacity to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level
Desirable
- Minimum second-class Bachelor's Degree from a UK University or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant subject (e.g. psychology, social work etc).
- OR Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria but with relevant professional experience are encouraged to apply and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- A training in a mental-health related profession (e.g. psychology, nursing, health visiting; socialwork, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, special needs teaching, psychiatry, other psychotherapy, counselling)
Knowledge
Essential
- 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 and understanding of issues relating to safeguarding children
Desirable
- 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.
Experience
Essential
- Two years' experience of working within a professional setting concerned with the mental health of children and young people or families (e.g. as a mental health worker, nurse, Child Wellbeing Practitioner, social worker)
- Basic level of clinical competence and experience of having worked with this clinical group for at least one year (e.g., as an OT, Assistant Psychologist, teaching assistant, learning support assistant/mentor within an SEN setting).
Desirable
- Experience of working as part of the multidisciplinary team with children and young people with ASC and/or LD and their families.
- 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.
Skills & Abilities
Essential
- 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 maintain a reflective stance in emotive/challenging interactions with children and their carers.
- Ability to use supervision to reflect on practice
- Ability to organise own time and diary
- Ability to follow policy and make proposal for change
- Ability to maintain accurate records
- Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (Level: GOOD) https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospectivestudents/graduate/english-languagerequirements
Desirable
- Ability to adopt a multi-agency working, especially in relation to complex cases with multiple needs, where a more systemic approach is required.
- Ability to advocate for the needs for children and young people with ASC and/or LD and their families
- Ability to maintain an observational stance, particularly in relation to children and young people with ASC and/or LD who do not express themselves verbally.
- Understanding of evidence based practice and the ability to demonstrate how this influences clinical practice
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Employer details
Employer name
North London NHS Foundation Trust
Address
North London Foundation Trust - Gloucester House Tavistock Centre's Children's Day Unit
33 Daleham Gardens
London
NW3 5BU
United Kingdom
Employer's website
https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)