Children & Young People’s Wellbeing Practitioner Trainees, CAMHS (training posts) in West and East Berkshire - Fixed Term 1 year

We are looking to recruit to 12 training posts; based across the Getting Help East & West Service, Neurodiversity Team (Autism Assessment Team) and (AnDy) Anxiety and Depression in Young People Research Clinic.

Locations: Reading, Bracknell, Slough, Maidenhead, Wokingham, Thatcham

The Getting Help Teams deliver Initial Assessments, Evidence-based, psychological interventions for children and young people presenting with anxiety, depression, and some behavioural difficulties including neurodivergence. This community-based service is placed within the Getting Advice and Getting Help groups of the THRIVE framework (http://implementingthrive.org/) and therefore works closely works closely with partner agencies in the community including both statutory and charity organisations to support children, young people, and their families.

Candidates will need to be ready to start academic training in February 2027 at the University of Reading (UoR). Interviews will be held jointly with the UoR and successful candidates will be required to complete the application form for a place on the Graduate/Postgraduate Diploma in Brief Evidence-Based Psychological Interventions for CYP with Common Mental Health Problems course.

All successful candidate will be committed to a learning agreement.

HCAS will be dependent on the base allocated.

The role of the trainee Children’s Wellbeing practitioners is to provide brief evidence-based and CBT informed interventions for children and young people who are presenting with mild-moderate anxiety, low mood, and behavioural difficulties in the community or those waiting for an autism assessment or who have already received a diagnosis of Autism.

Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.

Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
Caring for and about you is our top priority

Committed to providing good quality, safe services

Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions

Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:

Flexible working options to support work-life balance

27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell

Generous NHS pension scheme

Excellent learning and career development opportunities

‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles

Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services

Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants

Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality

Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave

Free parking across Trust sites

The “must haves” for this role:
A degree in Psychology minimum or other relevant subject (minimum at 2:2)

Experience of working with children and exposure to holding meaningful conversations with emotional connections at their level.

Some experience of working within a children’s mental health setting, children care setting, local authority children care services or school pastoral care

Strong communication, IT & organisational skills

• Graduate route (level 6): Evidence of ability to study at Level 6 (i.e., previous successful study at level 5; or successful part completion of an Honours degree – level 6)

Postgraduate route (level 7): Hons Degree graded at 2.2 or above

If you have previously applied for a similar post in Berkshire and were not shortlisted, please do not re-apply.

For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.

Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role. We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses given in your supporting statement genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

In addition to explaining how you meet the person specification, you must complete your employment history for at least the last five years. Any experience, skills or responsibilities referenced in your supporting statement should be evidenced within your employment history. Applications that do not include sufficient employment history to support the experience claimed may not be shortlisted.

We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Stonewall Proud Employer, Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.

We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Yani Chocalingum (Team Lead, CAMHS GHT/MHST Team) on 07780673550 or email: yani.chocalingum@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.

Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.