The CWP Guide to Thriving
The CWP Guide to Thriving
A practical survival guide for Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner trainees
Training as a Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner can feel overwhelming. The academic demands, clinical competencies, recordings, supervision expectations and pressure to perform can quickly lead to self doubt, burnout, and anxiety about “getting it wrong”.
The CWP Guide to Thriving is a comprehensive, honest and practical guide written specifically for CWP trainees, by someone who has completed the role and worked within NHS and school based services. It is designed to help you not just pass the course, but to feel more confident, grounded and capable throughout your training year.
This guide goes beyond theory. It focuses on what trainees actually struggle with, what universities and services really expect, and how to navigate the course in a way that protects your wellbeing while meeting clinical standards.
What’s included
This in depth guide covers:
A clear breakdown of the CWP role and training year
What the course expects academically versus clinically (and how to balance both)
How to approach clinical competencies, including what assessors are really looking for
Understanding video recordings, consent, and common trainee fears around being observed
How to prepare for and use supervision effectively
Managing imposter syndrome, performance anxiety and fear of failure
Practical guidance on case management, formulations and low intensity interventions
Strategies for staying organised, managing workload and avoiding burnout
Navigating feedback, assessments and difficult moments on placement
Realistic advice for surviving university deadlines alongside clinical work
Throughout the guide, complex expectations are explained in plain language, with reassurance, structure and practical tips you can apply immediately.
Who this guide is for
Trainee Children’s Wellbeing Practitioners
Applicants preparing to start CWP training
CWPs in their first year post qualification
Anyone feeling anxious, overwhelmed or unsure about the demands of the course
It is suitable whether you’re training through an NHS service, university partnership, or school based mental health team.
Why this guide is different
This is not a textbook and it’s not a set of competencies copied from course handbooks.
It is a real world survival guide, written with compassion, honesty and an understanding of the emotional impact of training. It acknowledges the pressure trainees are under and offers realistic, supportive guidance to help you succeed without sacrificing your wellbeing.
Format
Digital PDF
Instant download
Use on phone, tablet or computer