Job summary
NHS Somerset Talking Therapies is looking for passionate and motivated individuals to train as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) within our service. Successful applicants will need to have developed good interpersonal skills, have experience of working in a mental health environment and have completed the relevant level of study.
These are permanent contracts which will be offered as an initial 1-year training to qualification on either PG Cert/Grad Cert Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy on a Band 4 job description and pay scale. Upon completion of training and obtaining PWP registration, you will move to a Band 5 PWP job description and pay scale.
Post holders will study 2 days a week with Exeter University and work 3 days a week offering interventions for depression and anxiety within our service. You must be available on all the advertised training days (see attached timetable - the course requires 100% attendance) and attend work within the service otherwise.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION - You will need to be available for a REMOTE interview on 19/06/2025 or 20/06/2025 with Talking Therapies and then again on 27/06/2025 with Exeter University (remote). As part of the service interview you will be asked to prepare a 10 minute talk/presentation.
You will need to meet the eligibility and enrolment criteria, Qualification certification will be required and you MUST be a UK resident or hold the right to remain/work in the UK - which has been held for the past 3 years.
Main duties of the job
In your role as a Trainee PWP, you will be trained to provide evidence based low-intensity CBT interventions to our patients with low mood and anxiety through a variety of deliveries such as telephone, face to face, online and to support our busy course programme. There are opportunities to be involved in service development initiatives such as Computerised CBT (group webinars & online guided self-help) and expanding Long Term Conditions (LTC) partnerships. We are forming several working partnerships with local hospitals and LTC services such as heart failure, COPD and diabetes.
What can we offer you:
*A supportive preceptorship programme in place for when you qualify
*First year PWP registration fees paid for
*The chance to join a friendly and supportive Talking Therapies service with a strong focus on PWP wellbeing
*Development opportunities - potential to train as a Supervisor and move into management roles in the future
*The chance to join a service with consistently high recovery rates, great staff survey results and no internal waiting lists at Step 2
*CPD Opportunities such as Long Term Conditions (LTC) training
*Opportunity to progress into Champion Roles
*Part face to face / remote working
*Excellent NHS benefits including great pension and annual leave entitlement
*NHS incremental pay rises
Post holders will be based across either our Bridgwater or South Somerset bases but may be required to travel between bases or across the county at times.
About us
WE ARE Somerset NHS Talking Therapies is a busy Countywide Talking Therapies Service that is made up of 4 teams across Somerset. We are passionate about improving access to psychological therapies and pride ourselves on our clinical model that focuses on delivering high-quality care. We boast one of the highest recovery rates in the country alongside no internal waiting lists at step 2.
WE OFFER the opportunity to make a difference to the wellbeing of a diverse population and to work amidst supportive and friendly colleagues and dependable managerial and clinical leaders.
THE TEAM you will be joining is an innovative and friendly team of PWPS, High Intensity CBT Therapists, Psychological Therapists and Assessment Workers. Many in our team have joined us from other parts of the country, not the least because of the countless advantages life in Somerset can offer. Not far from bustling metropolitan areas, such as Bath, Bristol, and Exeter or the beautiful seaside, the county is rich in stunning and tranquil locations. Many appreciate that the cost of living and housing is considerably lower here than in the city and families value the safety of Somerset as well as the multitude of clubs, centres, and cultural venues where they and their children can get involved. Colleges and a number of excellent schools ensure good educational opportunities. We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide a range of information, signposting and support via evidence based, high volume, low-intensity psychological treatments. This support may be offered by telephone, online, face-to-face or via group based interventions.
- Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service
- Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery
- Undertake patient-centered assessments which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and/or recovery and make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others
- Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service's referral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to a more relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or 'step-up' the person's treatment to high intensity psychological therapy, following the service's stepped care model
- Ability to adapt materials for those with additional learning or cultural needs
- Educate and involve family members, carers and others in treatment as necessary
Potential for progression to Band 5 upon training course completion & obtaining registration.
For more details and further information about the role, please see the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills can apply to this post.
Exeter University -
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/psychology/pgcptp_licbt/#entry-requirements
You will need to meet the eligibility and enrolment criteria, Qualification certification will be required and you MUST be a UK resident or hold the right to remain/work in the UK - which has been held for the past 3 years.
Please see the attached Exeter University time table and Uni course content.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Provide a range of information, signposting and support via evidence based, high volume, low-intensity psychological treatments. This support may be offered by telephone, online, face-to-face or via group based interventions.
- Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service
- Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self management of their recovery
- Undertake patient-centered assessments which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and/or recovery and make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others
- Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service's referral protocols, refer unsuitable clients on to a more relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or 'step-up' the person's treatment to high intensity psychological therapy, following the service's stepped care model
- Ability to adapt materials for those with additional learning or cultural needs
- Educate and involve family members, carers and others in treatment as necessary
Potential for progression to Band 5 upon training course completion & obtaining registration.
For more details and further information about the role, please see the attached job description and person specification. When completing your application please ensure your supporting statement reflects the criteria set out in these documents by showing how your experience and skills can apply to this post.
Exeter University -
https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/courses/psychology/pgcptp_licbt/#entry-requirements
You will need to meet the eligibility and enrolment criteria, Qualification certification will be required and you MUST be a UK resident or hold the right to remain/work in the UK - which has been held for the past 3 years.
Please see the attached Exeter University time table and Uni course content.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Undergraduate degree or Evidence of previous successful study at Regulated Qualifications Framework Levels 5 or 6
- Evidence of Qualification certification required
- Note: Must not have completed another HEE funded psychological professions training course in the last 2 years
Experience
Essential
- Commonly, - working experience in settings with high exposure to people with mental health difficulties which can include voluntary work or expertise gained by experience of mental health problems
- Demonstrate high standards in written communication
- Able to write clear reports and letters.
- Able to manage own caseload and time
- Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
- Computer literate
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
- Demonstrate an understanding of anxiety and depression and how they present in Primary Care
- Experience of running courses and/or training
- Experience of assessing and managing risk
- Listen to others' views, respecting and valuing individual needs.
- Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Able to record and retrieve information on paper/electronic records as appropriate.
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
- Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
- Advanced communication skills
- Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience in a service where agreed targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes
- Have received training (either formally or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
- Evidence of providing case management supervision to PWPs
- Demonstrate an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how they relate to this post
Additional Criteria
Essential
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
- Able to work within a team and foster good working relationships
- Able to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Able to work under pressure
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
- Able to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users within own personal and professional development and in supervision
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate), remaining sensitive and empathic.
- Intuitive and caring nature.
- Act in ways that support equality and diversity.
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
- Access to a private car and ability to drive across the county to attend meetings or to any designated venue within the locality to provide treatment or run courses.
- Postholder must show willingness to work one evening shift.
- Willingness to work/study from home or other venue as required via telephone/video call
Desirable
- Fluent in languages other than English
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- Undergraduate degree or Evidence of previous successful study at Regulated Qualifications Framework Levels 5 or 6
- Evidence of Qualification certification required
- Note: Must not have completed another HEE funded psychological professions training course in the last 2 years
Experience
Essential
- Commonly, - working experience in settings with high exposure to people with mental health difficulties which can include voluntary work or expertise gained by experience of mental health problems
- Demonstrate high standards in written communication
- Able to write clear reports and letters.
- Able to manage own caseload and time
- Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
- Computer literate
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
- Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
- Demonstrate an understanding of anxiety and depression and how they present in Primary Care
- Experience of running courses and/or training
- Experience of assessing and managing risk
- Listen to others' views, respecting and valuing individual needs.
- Professional and patient focussed approach with inspirational skills, acting as a role model to colleagues and junior staff members.
- Excellent organisational skills, ability to manage own time and plan timed activities.
- Ability to recognise and manage challenging situations in a calm and professional manner.
- Able to take instruction and direction and work effectively as part of a team.
- Able to record and retrieve information on paper/electronic records as appropriate.
- High standards of written communication skills with the ability to use email and internet.
- Evidence of a good standard of Literacy / English language skills
- Advanced communication skills
- Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the patients
Desirable
- Experience of working in Primary Care Services
- Experience in a service where agreed targets are in place to demonstrate clinical outcomes
- Have received training (either formally or through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
- Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
- Evidence of providing case management supervision to PWPs
- Demonstrate an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how they relate to this post
Additional Criteria
Essential
- High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
- Able to work within a team and foster good working relationships
- Able to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
- Able to work under pressure
- Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
- Able to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users within own personal and professional development and in supervision
- Compassionate - Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively with staff, patients, carers and relatives (as appropriate), remaining sensitive and empathic.
- Intuitive and caring nature.
- Act in ways that support equality and diversity.
- Able to demonstrate an understanding of the impact frequent exposure to distressing circumstances has on care and compassion.
- Willingness to use technology to improve standards of care and support to our patients
- Access to a private car and ability to drive across the county to attend meetings or to any designated venue within the locality to provide treatment or run courses.
- Postholder must show willingness to work one evening shift.
- Willingness to work/study from home or other venue as required via telephone/video call
Desirable
- 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.
