Are you a graduate with an interest or experience of working to improve the mental health of children and young people? Are you interested in training to deliver evidence-based interventions to children and young people in Kent? If the answer is ‘yes!’ you may be interested to hear that Salus are working with Health Education England and Kent and Medway ICB, to offer 6 salaried training posts in partnership with the University of Sussex as Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs).

You will work within the Kent Therapeutic Alliance and Therapeutic Support Service providing evidence-based interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training at the University of Sussex. You will have access to clinical supervision and be paid a full-time salary with no training costs to you.

This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated and talented individual looking to develop their career!

Fixed 1 year term contract starting January 2027.

CYP IAPT

The Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (CYP IAPT) is a service transformation programme delivered by Health Education England and partners that aims to improve existing children and young people’s mental health services working in the community.

Job Purpose

This is a CYP IAPT training role within the Kent Therapeutic Alliance and Therapeutic Support Service delivering, under supervision, high-quality; brief outcome focused evidence-based interventions and guided self-help for children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

The training and service experience will equip the post holder with the necessary knowledge, attitude, and capabilities to operate effectively in an inclusive, value driven service.

The post holder will attend all university based taught and self-study days required by the University of Sussex and work in service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills.

For more information, please contact Jody Brown on 07725 595 745

Closing Date: 12pm 5th October 2026
Interview Dates: 26th and 27th October 2026  

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Therapeutic skills

• Assess and deliver, under supervision, outcome focused, evidence-based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

• Working in partnership, support children, young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and their families in the self-management of presenting difficulties.

• Work in partnership with children, young people, and families in the development of plans for   the intervention and agreed outcomes.

• Support and empower children, young people, and families to make informed choices about the intervention.

• Always operate from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.

• Accept referrals within agreed national and local protocols.

• Undertakes accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

• Adhere to the service referral protocols. Under supervision signpost unsuitable referrals to the relevant service, as necessary.

• Through close case management and supervision, escalate cases here the level of need becomes beyond scope, or more severe ensuring adherence to other relevant elements of service delivery.

• Provide a range of information and support for evidence based psychological treatments, primarily guided self-help. This work may be face-to-face, by telephone or via other media.

• Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of children and young people contacts offered, and sessions carried out per week to improve timely access and minimise waiting times.

• Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or CYP in treatment, where appropriate.

• Keep coherent records of all activity in line with service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making. Complete all requirements relating to data collection.

• Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education, and training/employment into the overall therapeutic process.

• Work within a collaborative approach involving a range of relevant others when indicated.

• Work in collaboration with children, young people, and communities to enhance and widen access.

TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

• Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic, and practice-based assessments.

• As well as attendance at the University of Sussex for training, fulfil private study requirements to enhance learning and prepare assignments for examination, for at least one day a week.

• Apply learning from the training programme to practice.

• Receive practice tutoring from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

• Prepare and present case load information to supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, to ensure safe practice and the governance obligations of the trainee, supervisor and service are delivered.

• Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in practice.

• Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and practice.

PROFESSIONAL

• 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.

• Ensure that confidentiality is always protected.

• Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed, and reviewed with supervisor and senior colleagues on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

• Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

• 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.

• Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

GENERAL

1. Support the collection of data and facilitate data flow to the Workforce Development team.

• Contribute to the development of best practice within the service.

• Ensure a comprehensive understanding of the relevant safeguarding legislation, guidance, and best practice.

• Maintain up-to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies, and procedures in relation to children and young people’s mental health.
• 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.

• 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.

This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder considering service development.