Job summary
We have an exciting opening for a Band 7, BABCP accredited CBT therapist to join us in Wirral 0-18, Children and Young People's Mental Health Service (CYPMHS) to cover maternity leave. This post will focus on providing high quality CBT to young people presenting with complex needs. The post holder will also join an existing senior therapist leadership group providing supervision, wait list and 'flow' management and facilitating training & special interest group.
This post will commence in January 2026.
If you are looking to be seconded from an existing post please seek permission from your current manager before you apply
Main duties of the job
The post holder will be responsible for supporting the delivery of evidence-based CBT interventions to children and young people up to 18. They would be expected to hold a case load of young people presenting with moderate to severe mental health difficulties, and moderate to high levels of complexity.
The post holder will work closely with other senior members of clinical staff to enhance the quality and effectiveness of individual CBT informed interventions offered. They will support the development of staff through supervision, training and consultation, and support the application of CBT principles to clinical work. Understanding the needs of moderate to severe mental health presentations within the context of complex environment conditions is essential
The post-holder will be based at the Birch Centre, Birkenhead, though may also be required to work from our other bases across Wirral. The post is offered on a temporary basis. The majority of the work is office based however there is an option for a day working from home to undertaking meetings and administrative tasks associated with the role
We anticipate that there will be a high level of applications for this post, and so potential applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
For further information and for informal discussion please contact: Stephanie Ireland Team Manager
About us
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton and Liverpool.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Job description
Job responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post graduate qualification in CBT.
- The postholder will be BABCP accredited or BABCP accreditable and working towards BABCP accreditation within the first year of employment.
- Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BABCP.
Desirable
- Core mental health profession, registered with appropriate regulatory body (e.g. HCPC, NMC)
- Specialist clinical skills for working with children & young people who have experienced complex trauma
- Training in another psychological therapy e.g. EMDR, family intervention
- Post graduate qualification in clinical supervision.
- Demonstrate knowledge and use of research methodology.
- Demonstrate professional activity via conference presentation, teaching experience, publication or similar.
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Expert knowledge of the cognitive behavioural model and disorder specific CBT interventions.
- Expertise in formulating, and applying CBT models to the individual young person and their carers.
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
- Knowledge of, and ability to work with issues of confidentiality and consent
- To work within ethical and professional guidelines
Desirable
- Expert knowledge of evidence based psychological interventions for depression, anxiety, OCD and trauma
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the children and young people and mental health.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for individuals with complex difficulties).
- Knowledge of specific models of cognitive behavioural interventions for working with children and young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties
Experience
Essential
- Experience of utilising specialist cognitive behavioural assessment and treatment for a wide range of presenting problems.
- Experience in a specialist cognitive behavioural therapist clinical role, providing specialist treatment packages.
- Skilled in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management.
- Experience of partnership and cross organisational working
- Experience of working autonomously
- Experience of conducting mental health assessments and risk assessments.
Desirable
- Experience of working with individuals experiencing a first episode psychosis, and/or individuals with at risk mental states
- Experience of running a range of groups/workshops /courses for service users with psychosis and their carers.
- Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
- Experience supervising staff from a range of disciplines, at a range of levels within a mental health setting.
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Post graduate qualification in CBT.
- The postholder will be BABCP accredited or BABCP accreditable and working towards BABCP accreditation within the first year of employment.
- Evidence of continuing professional development as recommended by the BABCP.
Desirable
- Core mental health profession, registered with appropriate regulatory body (e.g. HCPC, NMC)
- Specialist clinical skills for working with children & young people who have experienced complex trauma
- Training in another psychological therapy e.g. EMDR, family intervention
- Post graduate qualification in clinical supervision.
- Demonstrate knowledge and use of research methodology.
- Demonstrate professional activity via conference presentation, teaching experience, publication or similar.
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential
- Expert knowledge of the cognitive behavioural model and disorder specific CBT interventions.
- Expertise in formulating, and applying CBT models to the individual young person and their carers.
- Well-developed skills in the ability to communicate effectively, orally and in writing, complex, highly technical and/or clinically sensitive information to clients, their families, carers and other professional colleagues both within and outside the NHS
- Knowledge of, and ability to work with issues of confidentiality and consent
- To work within ethical and professional guidelines
Desirable
- Expert knowledge of evidence based psychological interventions for depression, anxiety, OCD and trauma
- Knowledge of legislation in relation to the children and young people and mental health.
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of specialised psychological therapies for individuals with complex difficulties).
- Knowledge of specific models of cognitive behavioural interventions for working with children and young people with moderate to severe mental health difficulties
Experience
Essential
- Experience of utilising specialist cognitive behavioural assessment and treatment for a wide range of presenting problems.
- Experience in a specialist cognitive behavioural therapist clinical role, providing specialist treatment packages.
- Skilled in the use of complex methods of psychological assessment, intervention and management.
- Experience of partnership and cross organisational working
- Experience of working autonomously
- Experience of conducting mental health assessments and risk assessments.
Desirable
- Experience of working with individuals experiencing a first episode psychosis, and/or individuals with at risk mental states
- Experience of running a range of groups/workshops /courses for service users with psychosis and their carers.
- Experience of working within a multicultural framework.
- Experience supervising staff from a range of disciplines, at a range of levels within a mental health setting.
- Experience of multidisciplinary team working.
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Additional information
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.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see
NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
