Trainee Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner

About the role

Our mission is to provide opportunities for people to develop to their full potential, with a focus on children and young people and those who are vulnerable, have a disability or face disadvantage. We are recruiting for 2 x Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioners to join our Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Team at YMCA East Surrey.

Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioners (CWPs) will be expected to integrate into YMCA East Surrey's Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health (EWMH) team and to support all early intervention work. You will assess and deliver (under supervision), outcome focused, evidence-based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties.

The Trainee Children's Wellbeing Practitioner role includes completion of the Child Wellbeing Practice Postgraduate or Graduate level Diploma run by the University of Sussex, which follows the nationally agreed curriculum to qualify as a Children's Wellbeing Practitioner.

Requirements

• To apply for this 1 year, fully funded, training role, you will need to meet the criteria to be eligible for 'home fees' at a university. Please check your fee status via this link: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/tuition-fees/fee-status
• For the Level 6 (Graduate Diploma) the minimum level would be 3 x A-levels with grades of AAB - BBB (BBC if meet the criteria for contextual offer), or an equivalent qualification such as NVQ level 3 or above, or equivalent experience (and proven ability to work at graduate level)
• For the Level 7 (Post-graduate Diploma) the minimum requirement is a Graduate Degree at 2:2, NVQ level 6 or above in Health Care or equivalent experience (and proven ability to work at post-graduate level)
• The post holder must have experience of working with children, young people and families and knowledge of emotional and mental health issues which affect children and young people
• Excellent knowledge of safeguarding and child protection practices, and the ability to communicate effectively with a diverse range of people is required for this role
• Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role
• Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children's and Adult's barred lists) check, along with reference checks

Responsibilities

• To learn therapeutic interventions to use 1:1 with children and young people (CYP) and in group settings
• Assess and deliver (under supervision), outcome focused, evidence-based interventions to children and young people experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties
• Adhering the service referral protocols
• Under supervision, signpost unsuitable referrals to the relevant service as necessary
• 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
• Assess and integrate issues relating to transitions, education and training/employment into the overall therapeutic process
• Keep coherent records of all activity in line with service protocols and use these records and outcome data to inform decision making
• As well as attendance at the University for training, fulfil private study requirements to enhance learning and prepare assignments for examination - recommendation is 150 hours of study for each of the 6 x 15 credit modules, and 300 hours of study for the 1 x 30 credit module. This study time includes the teaching days
• Maintain up to date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to children and young people's mental health
• To undertake accurate assessment of risk to self and others

Pay and schedule

• Salary: £28,392 per annum
• Working hours: 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday 9am to 5pm. Includes attendance at the University of Sussex 2 days per week from January to October
• Type of contract: Fixed Term Training Contract (dependent on completion of the course)
• Location: YMCA Phoenix Youth Centre, Tadworth, but working across various locations in East Surrey, as necessary and attendance at University of Sussex
• Holidays: 5 weeks per annum plus bank holidays. The holiday year runs from 1 April to 31 March each year (pro-rata for fixed term contract)

Benefits

• Be part of a long-standing and well-respected charity
• Discounted childcare for permanent employees
• Gym membership and free access to all leisure facilities for permanent employees
• Eligibility for Blue Light Discount Retail Card
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• 6.6 weeks annual leave which increases after 2 years continuous service
• Free access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• On site parking

We are seeking candidates who are passionate about working for a charity and making a difference to the lives of the children and young people in our community. If you're enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate.

For further information about the training course and experience at the University of Sussex, here is a link to a short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CyEus6q7MnA

Advert Closing date: 30/09/2026

Interview date: 19/10/2026

TO APPLY: Please scroll down the page to the application form.

If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us at HR@ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk