Cognitive Behavioural Therapist – Kent Therapeutic Support Service – Maternity cover
Job vacancy

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist – Kent Therapeutic Support Service – Maternity cover

Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
Salary

£50,000 (FTE)

Location:

West Kent

Hours:

All variations of full and part-time considered

Contract details:

Maternity Cover until April 2026

Application closing date:

24/10/2025

Interview date:

6th November 2025

BABCP Accredited (or eligibility and a commitment to complete accreditation)

Kent Therapeutic Support Service

Background and Job purpose

Kent Therapeutic Support Service 

Salus have been commissioned by Kent County Council to deliver a Therapeutic Support Service (TSS) to support children and young people (CYP) aged 4-19 years who have mild to moderate emotional well-being needs.

Children and young people accessing the Service will be those who are ‘getting advice and signposting’ and ‘getting help’, in line with the definitions of the i-THRIVE model. More information can be found here https://kentresiliencehub.org.uk/i-thrive/   

Our aim is to develop and deliver an accessible, needs-led, co-produced, dynamic, proactive and outcome focused service that offers flexibility and choice to children and families in need of support. This will be achieved through a combination of 1-1, group-based, self-help and family based interventions.

This postholder will work within a newly formed multi-disciplinary team and will have the opportunity to influence the development of the service.

Key responsibilities will include assessing the suitability of children and young people for Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Li-CBT), primarily for those experiencing anxiety, low mood/depression, OCD, low self-esteem, trauma-related difficulties, and other presentations where CBT has proven clinical effectiveness.

Clinical supervision will be provided.

Contact

For more information, please contact Sally Williamson on 07725 595722 or Peter Heckel on 07725 595719.

Closing date: 9am on 24th October 2025

Interview date: 6th November 2025

Job Description/Principal Accountabilities

Therapeutic skills

  • Assess and deliver, under supervision, outcome focused, CBT-based interventions to  CYP (and parents of those) experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties and for which CBT is clinically effective.
  • Work in partnership, support CYP 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 support they need.
  • Always operate from an inclusive values base, which recognises and respects diversity.
  • Accept referrals within the locally agreed protocols.
  • Undertake accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
  • Through close case management and supervision, escalate cases where the level of need becomes beyond scope or more severe, ensuring adherence to other relevant elements of service delivery.
  • 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.

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

  • Support the collection of data and facilitate data flow.
  • 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.

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

ESSENTIALDESIRABLE
QUALIFICATIONSA post graduate diploma in CBT and Accreditation with BABCP (or eligibility and a commitment to complete accreditation)Psychology or other health /social care/youth related undergraduate degree

Clinical supervision training
EXPERIENCEEvidence of working with children and young people with mental health difficulties

Experience in providing CBT based interventions focused on Anxiety, Depression, OCD, low self-esteem and Trauma related difficulties for which CBT is demonstrated to be clinically effective

Experience of working with other agencies outside of the NHS
Worked in a service where agreed targets in place to demonstrate outcomes

Worked in school and college settings
Skills & CompetenciesDemonstrates an understanding of children and young people’s mental health and how it may present

Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence-based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post

Knowledge of child and adolescent development and the role of the family in supporting children and young people’s emotional well-being

Understanding of systems and contexts in which children and young people are likely to live

Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues relating to children and young people and the impact it can have on mental health

Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients

Demonstrates high standards in written and verbal communication

To work effectively as part of a team

Ability to personally manage a sensitive, traumatic and potentially emotionally distressing caseload.
Ability to manage own caseload and time
OtherWillingness to take an active part in developing the role of CBTs within the organisation

Full, enhanced and current satisfactory DBS disclosure for the role.

Car owner/driver essential due to the geographical area.