Child And Adolescent Psychotherapist

An exciting opportunity has arisen in the Sunderland Children and Young People's Service (CYPS) for a 0.6 part time Band 7 ACP registered Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist, to join our Mental Health Team. This incorporates work with children and young people who are cared for in partnership with Together for Children.

Our Children and Young People Services are fully integrated and provide specialist mental health assessment and intervention for children and young people 0-18 years and their families and carers, with complex and enduring mental health needs, including those young people with a learning disability.

The multi-disciplinary team works closely together with our multi-agency partners in Social Care and Education.

You would be part of the Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Trust wide support structures.

The post is based at CYPS Monkwearmouth Hospital Sunderland, with some travel across the sites of the CNTW Trust.

Sunderland is a lively city and coastal area, in the North East of England with a rich history.

We would very much welcome your expressions of interest and application.

You would be employed as a Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist within the multidisciplinary team and would be involved in the specialist assessment, care and treatment of infants, children and young people as part of their family. This would be an integral part of the Child Psychotherapy pathway into the service.

Your work would also be with families and carers; and in partnership with our multi-agency partners.

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 2nd October 2026

Closing date : 18th October 2026

We welcome your application.

• Masters level pre- clinical training at a training school / institution recognised by the Association of Child Psychotherapists (ACP) and Post graduate training at doctorate level in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy at a training school accredited by the ACP.
• Maintenance of ACP registration.

• Substantial experience of working within an NHS Children and Young People's Mental Health and Learning Disability Service.
• Advanced knowledge and skills in psychoanalytic psychotherapy and its effective application to the mental health problems of children and adolescents with complex disorders and diagnoses including pervasive and severe emotional and psychological difficulties.
• Experience of working regularly and intensively with children and young people and their family/ carers.

• Communication and relationship skills at the highest level in situations where complex formulations need to be considered.
• Analytic and judgement skills in processing the great complexity of information arising from clinical work. Skill in formulation and forming care plans.
• Advanced skill in supervision. An ability to deliver regular supervision to a range of professionals.
• Highly developed skills in providing consultation to other professionals.
• Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team.
• Sufficient knowledge of other modalities to engage appropriately with colleagues and their work and clients.
• Masters or Doctoral level knowledge of research methodology consistent with psychoanalytic work.
• Well-developed skills to communicate effectively, orally and in writing at an age appropriate level (including use of play, drawing etc) complex, highly technical and / or clinically…