King's CYP Mental Health Manuals
Child Wellbeing Practice PGDip (CWP)
Please note: Recruitment for 2024 has now concluded. This page is in the process of being updated for 2025
About the Course
The new Diploma level training curriculum is worth 120 credits and will be delivered at level 7, across a structure of 6 modules, aligning it to the Education Mental Health Practitioner Diploma level training qualification. The CWP diploma delivery will consist of approximately 64 taught days in addition to service-based learning (including service supervision and observation / shadowing) and private study. The taught days will be face to face on the Denmark Hill campus.
This programme, a Department of Health initiative, aims to train a new workforce for CAMHS: Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners. Graduates will complement the work of existing practitioners by building better links with communities and offering rapid access to brief treatment interventions for children and young people with mild to moderate mental health difficulties, as part of a stepped care model of service delivery.
The specific aims for the programme are to equip students with the following:
- Knowledge, attitude and competence to operate effectively in an inclusive, values driven service.
- Fundamental skills to assess cases using appropriate and effective assessment tools and engage with young people and their families.
- Knowledge and skills in effective brief (low-intensity) interventions for children, young people and family systems based on the most up to date evidence.
- Knowledge of a range of interventions (including written and computerised interventions) and knowledge of services available to Children and Young Person (CYP) & families across CYP agencies.
Trainee CWPs will undertake postgraduate certificate level training for 1 year, hosted by either University College London (UCL) or Kings College London (KCL) whilst being based within a service and will be trained over the course of a year to offer brief, focused evidence- based interventions in the form of low intensity support and guided self-help to children and young people who demonstrate mild to moderate:
- Anxiety (primary and secondary school age)
- Low mood (adolescents)
- Common behavioural difficulties (working with parents for under 8s)
If you would like further information about the CWP programme at King’s, please refer to our course brochure:
KCL CWP Cohort 9 Jan 2024 - KCL Programme Brochure.pdf
For more information about CYP-MH courses at KCL, please contact cyp-mh@kcl.ac.uk.
For information about the CWP programme based at UCL (Anna Freud Centre), please visit the AFC webpage.
How to apply
The CWP programme is not a standalone CYP MH training course. The programme requires potential candidates to apply for both the University-led training course and the role with a participating mental health service.
Please sign up to our mailing list to be informed of any new developments or advertised roles.
Service application process
We expect services to begin advertising from mid-late August 2023. Services will often advertise through sites such as jobs.nhs.uk and healthjobsuk.com so we recommend setting up automatic job searches/notifications with the following terms:
- ‘Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner’
- ‘Child Wellbeing Practitioner’
- ‘Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner for Children and Young People’
KCL application process
It is essential that you read the information below carefully prior to completing the application.
- Please be sure to complete all the sections of the form with all relevant information (all questions with a red asterisk next to them are mandatory and you will not be able to submit without answering these).
- You must submit a completed application form – we cannot process any incomplete applications.
To apply: click on the following link to apply to KCL online: https://apply.kcl.ac.uk/ (Please use either Google Chrome or Firefox as your browser. The application portal is not optimised for Internet Explorer).
For information on how to apply to KCL online, please refer to the application guidance:
KCL CWP Cohort 9 Jan 2024 - KCL Application Guidance.pdf
When to apply
The KCL application portal will open on the 31st of July 2023. The deadline for applications is Monday 20th November 2023.
Services will begin advertising in roles between Aug/Sep 2023 and Nov/Dec 2023. Teaching for the CWP course will start on Monday 22nd January 2024.
Entry requirements
- Qualifications: Normally, a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK university or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in a relevant academic subject (e.g. Psychology, Education, Childhood Development, Social Work, etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g. Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; Counselling, etc)*
*Applicants who do not fulfil the academic criteria are encouraged to apply and may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Please contact us for further queries.
- Experience: Evidence of prior experience working with children and young people is preferred.
- English language requirements: Capability to complete academic work at postgraduate diploma level, including IELTS or equivalent to the appropriate level for students with English as a foreign language (BAND D). https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/stgraduate/apply/entry-requirements/english-language.aspx
- Motivation to undertake the course
Recruitment updates
Please find below a list of trainee roles currently being advertised by available services. Please note: this list is updated when roles become available.
| Service | Recruiting for: | Application deadline: | Recruitment link: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent & Medway | CWP and EMHP | 21 August 2023 23:59 | Link |
| Croydon CAMHS | CWP | 01 October 2023 23:59 | Link |
| Central North West London Early Interventions | CWP | TBC | TBC |
| Hammersmith and Fulham CAMHS | CWP | 15 September 2023 23:59 | Link |
| Hounslow CAMHS | CWP | 15 September 2023 23:59 | Link |
| Lambeth CAMHS | CWP | 1 October 2023 23:59 | Link |
| Lewisham CAMHS | CWP | 24 September 2023 23:59 | Link |
| London ONEL | CWP | TBC | TBC |
| SWL and St George’s Mental Health Trust | CWP | TBC | TBC |
| Southwark CAMHS | CWP | 15 October 2023 23:59 | Link |
| Newham CAMHS | CWP | TBC | TBC |
| Ealing MHST | CWP | 15 September 2023 23:59 | Link |
| Hounslow MHST | CWP | 15 September 2023 23:59 | Link |
| Central London MHST (Brent, Wandesworth, Westminster) | CWP | 10 October 2023 23:59 | Link |
FAQs and mailing list
If you would like to receive updates on the application process and deadlines, please subscribe to our mailing list below.
I don’t meet the academic requirements, can I still apply?
While candidates are advised that they must meet the entrance criteria we do often receive applications that do not meet this and will always discuss and review these on a case by case basis with the course team and site. We can’t confirm for certain at this stage whether your application would be deemed eligible but would encourage you to apply, please do include as much detail and evidence RE qualifications and work experience as you can in your application.
Should I apply to KCL or sites first?
As there is sometimes a cap on applications received on NHS Jobs, we would recommend applying for the sites first, in order to avoid any disappointment should an advert be taken down early. Our KCL application portal for the January 2024 intake will open on 31st July 2023 remain open until 23.59 on 20th November 2023. However, please note that a KCL application should be submitted in tandem with an application to a site or trust - the site/trust shortlisting process involves cross-checking the NHS Jobs application against the university application. Applicants will not be invited to interview unless both applications have been checked.
How is the programme funded/How much will I get paid?
Training and university teaching is funded by Health Education England. Successfully appointed CWP students will be paid at rate equivalent to the NHS Agenda for Change Band 4 for the duration of their training.
Is the site/Trust vacancy I am appointed to permanent/guaranteed?
Unfortunately, we are unable to confirm if the post held during training is ongoing or guaranteed once the course is complete - this varies depending on the site. We would advise that students contact the site or trust directly for further information.