It has made me think more thoroughly about all of the elements required to transform a service.
Children and Young People’s Psychological Trainings: Leadership in CYP Mental Health Services, PG Cert
This NHS England-funded PG Cert equips leaders in children and young people's mental health with the skills to drive service improvement through academic learning and real-world projects.
Key dates
Student application deadline: November 2026.
Teaching begins: January 2027.
Programme overview
The Leadership in Children and Young People's Mental Health Services, PG Cert Leadership Programme is a one-year course jointly delivered by University College London (UCL) and King’s College London (KCL). It is designed for current leaders and managers working in children and young people’s mental health services across London and the South-East of England.
Developed by experienced children and young people’s mental health service leads in the NHS, local authority, and voluntary, community and faith sectors, with input from higher education institutions (HEIs), the programme reflects the current context for children and young people’s mental health provision. It draws on national policy, principles, theory and research, while encouraging critical thinking, reflexive practice and the application of an equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) perspective.
Children and young people's mental health service managers can find out more about nominating a candidate for this course.
Course details
The 2015 Leadership programme curriculum was revised in 2024 by experienced children and young people's mental health service leads in NHS with input from HEIs, to bring it in line with the current context for children and young people's mental health provision.
The course draws on relevant policy, principles, theory and research that shape and inform children and young people's mental health service delivery. It fosters critical thinking and reflexive practice, encouraging participants to consider the needs of both service users and the workforce through an EDI lens.
Designed as a practical resource, the programme supports participants in developing their leadership skills, identifying needs and implementing service changes in their local area. The programme assignments and learning activities address real-world challenges faced by those managing high levels of demand, with input from programme teams and leaders who are highly experienced in children and young people's mental health services.
Recognising that many of these challenges are long-standing, the programme offers a supportive space to explore current ideas, reflect on existing expertise, share experiences, and collaboratively find solutions. It is suitable for anyone in a leadership role seeking to implement change in children and young people's mental health and wellbeing provision.
For full details on content, structure, fees, qualifications and how to apply, visit the UCL programme webpage.
Programme delivery
The programme is delivered in 12 teaching days across the year, with 3 additional study days to facilitate learning and support participants in meeting the programme requirements. In some areas it is also available as a continuing professional development programme. It includes a mix of lectures, academic teaching and smaller group sessions.
These smaller group sessions help participants link the content of the larger sessions to their own work context, facilitate reflective practice and personal leadership development, and support participants with a service transformation project that they engage in during the year.
Who can apply?
The programme is for children and young people's mental health and wellbeing leaders and managers across health, social care, education and the third sector:
Senior school staff involved in the Educational Mental Health Practitioners programme and mental health teams in schools.
Clinical leads in NHS children and young people's mental health services implementing Children and Young People's Psychological Trainings (formerly Children and Young People’s Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) and/or the Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Practitioners programme.
Commissioners and social care leads driving service transformation.
Managers and senior clinicians in children and young people's mental health and wellbeing charities and third sector organisations.
How to apply
Applications can only be made via selected children and young people's mental health services.
Prospective services can find out more about our Leading Transformation and Change course.
Please contact the Programme Officer for further details.
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UCL course guide
Download
Take a closer look at the UCL programme, including course content, teaching structure and entry requirements.
In collaboration with:
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