Trainee Child Psychotherapist - CAMHS

Job summary

NHS England has confirmed funding for a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Traineeship in Somerset.

Applications are invited from candidates who as a minimum, have been accepted onto a pre-clinical training course beginning September 2025. They will already be working with children and young people in a professional capacity and will have an interest in and some understanding of Psychoanalytical thinking.

The aim is for the trainee's clinical hours to be divided between CAMHS and the Local Authority's Emotional Health and Wellbeing Team, who offer support to our population of children who are care experienced. With this we aim to expand the reach of our local CAPT provision and enrich the development of the trainee.

There will also be the possibility of joining the Taunton CAMHS team as an Assistant Child Psychotherapist (at Band 5) in Year 2 of the pre-clinical training course.

Successful applicants will need to apply independently to and be accepted by a training school accredited by the Association of Child Psychotherapists before being able to proceed to the full clinical training (Years 3 to 6).

Key Dates:

Informal Visit to the Clinic: Weds 30th April 2025 10.30am to 12pm (please ring to confirm attendance - 01823368368)

Closing date for applications: Sunday 11th May 2025

Date of interviews: Thurs 29th May 2025

Main duties of the job

The postholder will be expected to work, under supervision, with children, adolescents, their carers and families who have a high level of co-morbidity and often communicate their disturbance and distress through their behaviour and in the form of emotional disorders and difficulties. Our children and young people often have a history of severe abuse (physical, emotional, social), neglect and deprivation, complex trauma, bereavement and physical illness. They are often living within the context of family break up or dysfunction, and affected by domestic violence, parental mental illness and other adverse life events.

The trainee's clinical work will be supervised by the Training School and by their Service Supervisor(s). Trainees will be expected to take their annual leave alongside school holidays, so as to minimise disruption to the child or young person's sessions.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

Flexible working options to help you balance work and life

NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security

Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax

A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.