Job summary
Sunderland Talking Therapies has an experienced, dedicated and dynamic team that provides a range of evidence based psychological therapies to support people with common mental health problems within a stepped care model. An exciting opportunity has arisen within the service to appoint a new cohort of Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners. In this training role
the
post-holders will provide Low Intensity CBT interventions whilst undertaking the PGCert in Low Intensity Psychological Therapy at Newcastle University. These are permanent positions with a provisional start date of 6th October 2025. The post-holders will attend all taught and self-study days required by the University and
work in the service for the remainder of the week, being supported to apply their newly developed clinical skills and knowledge.
Progression from a Band 4 to a Band 5 will be dependent on the post holder successfully completing the university course.
Main duties of the job
Our Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) team work closely together to maintain a supportive working environment, along with a well established team of Senior PWPs and 2 Low Intensity Service Leads. The PWP role in our service is varied and will allow you to gain a wide range of clinical experience and skills. PWPs in the service provide telephone triage assessments, guided self-help treatments (face to face, via video call and over the telephone), psycho-educational classes, and computerised CBT. They are also encouraged to be involved with service development projects and become champions in areas of specialist interest.
The following quote is from a previous trainee PWP within our service-
I could not have asked for a better service to work for during my PWP training year. The service provides first class support in terms of supervision, in-house training and opportunities to develop special interests. Direct line managers and supervisors provide a high level of support and the wider team has a wealth of knowledge and experience that has been instrumental in my training and development. An added bonus is that everyone is lovely! I could not recommend the service more highly as a place to complete a trainee year.
About us
Sunderland Talking Therapies is delivered within an integrated model of
Primary Care Mental Health and NHS Talking Therapies (formerly known as Improving Access to Psychological therapy, IAPT) and is provided in partnership between Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and Wear
NHS Trust, Sunderland Counselling Service and Washington Mind. We are recognised as a high
achieving service, well known for providing a supportive and enjoyable
workplace experience, where our staff are valued. We provide high quality
clinical and managerial supervision, as well as regular access to CPD and
personal development opportunities.
Successful applicants will be
employed by Sunderland Counselling Service. They will most likely be based at Monkwearmouth Hospital or Hopewood Park Hospital. Currently, remote working forms part of the working week, however this could change depending on service need and CNTW trust guidance. This is not a remote working contact. In their training year, post-holders will be expected to work 9am-5pm Monday-Friday, however, once qualified, the post-holders will have the opportunity to work
flexibly between the hours of 8am-8pm Monday-Friday and some possible Saturday
mornings in various community bases across the city.
Enquiries regarding the posts can be made to Liz King or Jess Fawcett (Low Intensity Service Leads) on 0191 5665450 (calls will be returned).
Interviews
will be held week commencing 28th July (invites will be sent via email).
Job description
Job responsibilities
Becoming a Trainee PWP offers an exciting opportunity to train in delivering low intensity psychological therapies within a multidisciplinary and innovative team. The post-holders will support individuals aged 16+, from a variety of cultural backgrounds and should be committed to equal opportunities. They must be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal, organisational and communication skills, as well as show initiative, and be committed to developing clinical practice and knowledge within this role.
In this role you will:
- Attend Newcastle University alongside placement in service to gain qualification in delivering Low Intensity CBT interventions (Low Intensity Psychological Therapy PGCert).
- Attend regular line management, case management and clinical skills supervision.
- Complete triage appointments with service users each week and make clinical decisions based on information gathered.
- Carry out evidence based interventions via telephone, video call and face-to-face guided self-help, Computerised CBT and psycho-educational classes.
- Attend CPD events.
- Get involved with service development projects and specialist interest groups.
- Upon qualification, be part of a preceptorship year which is to further support development.
- Work closely with other PWPs to support one another and utilise and share skills and knowledge.
- Work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team.
- Once qualified all PWPs are required to apply for PWP registration, through the BPS or BABCP.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Becoming a Trainee PWP offers an exciting opportunity to train in delivering low intensity psychological therapies within a multidisciplinary and innovative team. The post-holders will support individuals aged 16+, from a variety of cultural backgrounds and should be committed to equal opportunities. They must be able to demonstrate excellent interpersonal, organisational and communication skills, as well as show initiative, and be committed to developing clinical practice and knowledge within this role.
In this role you will:
- Attend Newcastle University alongside placement in service to gain qualification in delivering Low Intensity CBT interventions (Low Intensity Psychological Therapy PGCert).
- Attend regular line management, case management and clinical skills supervision.
- Complete triage appointments with service users each week and make clinical decisions based on information gathered.
- Carry out evidence based interventions via telephone, video call and face-to-face guided self-help, Computerised CBT and psycho-educational classes.
- Attend CPD events.
- Get involved with service development projects and specialist interest groups.
- Upon qualification, be part of a preceptorship year which is to further support development.
- Work closely with other PWPs to support one another and utilise and share skills and knowledge.
- Work closely with the wider multidisciplinary team.
- Once qualified all PWPs are required to apply for PWP registration, through the BPS or BABCP.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
- Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Evidence of working within a team environment.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care settings.
- Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
- Experience of managing own caseload.
- Evidence of working in the local community.
- Experience of working in partnership with other services.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression including the wider impact for the whole person.
- Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and meaningful occupation and the impact it can have on mental health.
Desirable
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the role of clinical risk assessments.
Training
Essential
- Able to meet all the requirements of the PWP training.
- Able to complete academic components of the course.
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of ability to study successfully at undergraduate year 1 level or the equivalent.
Desirable
- Psychology or other Health and Care related undergraduate degree.
Experience Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to apply learning in practice.
- Computer literate.
- Ability to be self-reflective.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills.
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills including ability to manage conflicting demands and work under pressure.
Other Requirements
Essential
- High level of motivation.
- Ability to foster good working relationships.
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
- Willingness and ability to travel to locations throughout the organisation.
- Willingness and ability to work through interpreters.
Desirable
- Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
- Car driver.
- Fluent in languages other than English.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.
- Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Evidence of working within a team environment.
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care settings.
- Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
- Experience of managing own caseload.
- Evidence of working in the local community.
- Experience of working in partnership with other services.
Knowledge
Essential
- Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression including the wider impact for the whole person.
- Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and meaningful occupation and the impact it can have on mental health.
Desirable
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
- Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
- Demonstrates an understanding of the role of clinical risk assessments.
Training
Essential
- Able to meet all the requirements of the PWP training.
- Able to complete academic components of the course.
Qualifications
Essential
- Evidence of ability to study successfully at undergraduate year 1 level or the equivalent.
Desirable
- Psychology or other Health and Care related undergraduate degree.
Experience Skills & Competencies
Essential
- Ability to apply learning in practice.
- Computer literate.
- Ability to be self-reflective.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills.
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries.
- Excellent organisational and time management skills including ability to manage conflicting demands and work under pressure.
Other Requirements
Essential
- High level of motivation.
- Ability to foster good working relationships.
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
- Willingness and ability to travel to locations throughout the organisation.
- Willingness and ability to work through interpreters.
Desirable
- Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively.
- Car driver.
- Fluent in languages other than English.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
