Job summary

We have an exciting opportunity for six Trainee Psychological (Cognitive-Behavioural) Therapists to join Berkshire CAMHS Getting Help Services through the NHS England-funded Children and Young People Psychological Training Programme. One 12-month fixed-term post is available in each Berkshire locality: West Berkshire (non-HCAS), Reading (HCAS), Wokingham (HCAS), Bracknell (HCAS), Windsor & Maidenhead (HCAS) and Slough (HCAS).

Trainees will deliver CBT to young people and families under supervision while completing a Postgraduate Diploma in CBT at the University of Reading. On completion, trainees will be eligible to apply for BABCP accreditation and qualified CBT Therapist roles.

Please see the essential criteria to ensure you are eligible to apply. Candidates who have previously completed Health Education England-funded training (e.g. a low-intensity programme) must have completed this at least two full years before the CBT training start date. Evidence of previous training (e.g. a certificate) will be required before interview.

Applicants required to complete a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio must submit this before interview, following instructions provided to shortlisted candidates. Successful completion of the KSA is required for any job offer. KSA feedback cannot be provided to candidates who are unsuccessful at interview.

Main duties of the job

• Clinical Assessments: Under supervision, work towards independently carrying out comprehensive psychological therapy assessments, utilising National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommendations.

• Treatment Planning: Under supervision, and in collaboration with service users and their families and carers, formulate personalised evidence-based CBT treatment plans, in line with level of completed training.

• Individual and Group Therapy: Under supervision, work towards independently conducting individual and/or group therapy sessions using CBT approaches, utilising and tailoring interventions to address a range of mental health concerns.

• Supervision and Training: Participate in a structured training programme, and actively participate in supervision sessions, to ensure high-quality clinical practice, incorporating feedback into clinical practice to improve effectiveness.

About us

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

Details

Date posted

30 September 2026

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

371-CFS848

Job locations

Lower Henwick Farm, Turnpike Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3AP

Turnpike Road

Thatcham

RG18 3AP

United Kingdom

Job description

Job responsibilities

The must haves for this role:

• Graduate qualification and professional registration/accreditation in a core profession as defined by BABCP OR post graduate qualificationand current professional registration (with either BABCP or BPS) in one of the following: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP); Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP); Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP); Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) or Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) AND a completed BABCP KSA portfolio.
• Ability to complete the academic components of the post-graduate training course and a commitment to the full training program and role.
• A car driver with a full licence and access to a car for work purposes.
• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services or social care provision relevant to the post and service area.

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, its 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.

Were 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 dont hesitate to call: Rhona Edwards on 07890 395552 or email: [email protected] wholl 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.

Job description Job responsibilities The must haves for this role: Graduate qualification and professional registration/accreditation in a core profession as defined by BABCP OR post graduate qualificationand current professional registration (with either BABCP or BPS) in one of the following: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP); Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP); Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP); Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) or Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP) AND a completed BABCP KSA portfolio. Ability to complete the academic components of the post-graduate training course and a commitment to the full training program and role. A car driver with a full licence and access to a car for work purposes. Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services or social care provision relevant to the post and service area. 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, its 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. Were 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 dont hesitate to call: Rhona Edwards on 07890 395552 or email: [email protected] wholl 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.

Person Specification

Education/Qualifications/Training

Essential

• EITHER: Graduate qualification and professional registration/accreditation in a core profession as defined by British Association or Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), (e.g. Practitioner Psychologist registered with HCPC, Registered Mental Health Nurse with NMC, Occupational Therapist registered with HCPC, or Social Worker registered with Social Work England). Please see the Core Professions List - BABCP website for more detail of the core professions list and required professional registration/accreditation. OR: A completed BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) portfolio (or proven ability to complete the full KSA portfolio prior to the start of the CBT training programme). In addition to: A post graduate qualificationand current professional registration (with either BABCP or BPS) in one of the following: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP); Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP); Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP); Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) or Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP).
• Basic knowledge and experience of CBT acquired from an introductory program (e.g., a foundation course in CBT) OR Introductory supervised practice experience in CBT interventions

Desirable

• CBT or other relevant Certificate level training

Continuous Professional Development

Essential

• Commitment to ongoing professional development as recommended by BABCP and other relevant professional bodies
• Evidence of specific training, experience and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches relevant to the post and service area

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services or social care provision relevant to the post and service area
• Experience of working with a variety of client groups and presenting problems that reflect a range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse
• Ability to manage competing demands and managing a caseload in a setting relevant to the post and service area
• Demonstrable experience of working with safeguarding and risk management, within scope of practice
• Experience of delivering group interventions
• Experience of working with, and addressing issues of, diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access

Desirable

• Experience of working in a service where agreed /specified targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Essential

• Demonstrable understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies in mental health care
• Evidence of risk training (either formal or through experience) and ability to undertake comprehensive risk assessments within scope of practice
• Ability to use operational and clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team with service users and their families/carers, adapting your approach according to the individual needs of the service user
• Ability to use your own judgement and work independently within scope of practice, whilst having an ability to seek help, supervision and support, when appropriate
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and develop therapeutic relationships with a range of people
• Ability to manage sensitive and difficult conversations, emotional distress and trauma with empathy, compassion, reassurance, resilience and sensitivity
• Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, technical and/or sensitive information to service users, their carers/families and professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS
• Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to support, influence and engage with clinicians, stakeholders and service users to create change and improvement, within scope of practice
• Ability to confidently cope well under pressure, resolve issues and competing demands, with excellent time management skills and an ability to respond constructively to challenge or resistance, applying practical problem-solving skills in everyday and complex situations
• Excellent IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS office/Teams, One Consultation, and the internet)

Desirable

• Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and of completing this in the NHS

Additional Requirements

Essential

• Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required
• Ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position

Person Specification Education/Qualifications/Training Essential EITHER: Graduate qualification and professional registration/accreditation in a core profession as defined by British Association or Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), (e.g. Practitioner Psychologist registered with HCPC, Registered Mental Health Nurse with NMC, Occupational Therapist registered with HCPC, or Social Worker registered with Social Work England). Please see the Core Professions List - BABCP website for more detail of the core professions list and required professional registration/accreditation. OR: A completed BABCP Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) portfolio (or proven ability to complete the full KSA portfolio prior to the start of the CBT training programme). In addition to: A post graduate qualificationand current professional registration (with either BABCP or BPS) in one of the following: Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP); Children's Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP); Education Mental Health Practitioner (EMHP); Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) or Clinical Associate in Psychology (CAP). Basic knowledge and experience of CBT acquired from an introductory program (e.g., a foundation course in CBT) OR Introductory supervised practice experience in CBT interventions Desirable CBT or other relevant Certificate level training Continuous Professional Development Essential Commitment to ongoing professional development as recommended by BABCP and other relevant professional bodies Evidence of specific training, experience and/or interest and knowledge in psychological models and therapeutic approaches relevant to the post and service area Experience Essential Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services or social care provision relevant to the post and service area Experience of working with a variety of client groups and presenting problems that reflect a range of clinical severity including maintaining a high degree of professionalism in the face of highly emotive and distressing problems, verbal abuse and the threat of physical abuse Ability to manage competing demands and managing a caseload in a setting relevant to the post and service area Demonstrable experience of working with safeguarding and risk management, within scope of practice Experience of delivering group interventions Experience of working with, and addressing issues of, diversity, including experience of working with diversity, multiculturalism, and equality of access Desirable Experience of working in a service where agreed /specified targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Essential Demonstrable understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies in mental health care Evidence of risk training (either formal or through experience) and ability to undertake comprehensive risk assessments within scope of practice Ability to use operational and clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team with service users and their families/carers, adapting your approach according to the individual needs of the service user Ability to use your own judgement and work independently within scope of practice, whilst having an ability to seek help, supervision and support, when appropriate Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and develop therapeutic relationships with a range of people Ability to manage sensitive and difficult conversations, emotional distress and trauma with empathy, compassion, reassurance, resilience and sensitivity Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, technical and/or sensitive information to service users, their carers/families and professional colleagues, both within and outside the NHS Well-developed interpersonal skills, with the ability to support, influence and engage with clinicians, stakeholders and service users to create change and improvement, within scope of practice Ability to confidently cope well under pressure, resolve issues and competing demands, with excellent time management skills and an ability to respond constructively to challenge or resistance, applying practical problem-solving skills in everyday and complex situations Excellent IT skills and the ability to navigate various systems and software packages (such as RiO, Outlook, databases, MS office/Teams, One Consultation, and the internet) Desirable Knowledge and understanding of service evaluation, audit and research and of completing this in the NHS Additional Requirements Essential Able to work flexibly around working patterns as required Ability to travel independently between locations in Berkshire to fulfil the requirements and duties of the position

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.

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Lower Henwick Farm, Turnpike Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3AP

Turnpike Road

Thatcham

RG18 3AP

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Berkshire Healthcare Foundation Trust

Address

Lower Henwick Farm, Turnpike Road, Thatcham, Berkshire, RG18 3AP

Turnpike Road

Thatcham

RG18 3AP

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.berkshirehealthcare.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)