Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Associate Psychological Practitioner

The closing date is 14 October 2025

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit to our Step 4 Primary Psychological Therapies Service working with adults of working age and older people for two band 5 associate psychological practitioners (we would also consider APP's currently undergoing mental health well-being practitioner training). The successful applicants will be expected to support qualified psychological practitioners in developing formulations and in the delivery of different evidence based psychological interventions (both group and individual). The role requires the ability to liaise clearly and effectively with client's, families, other professionals and to be able to support with audit/research projects.

The Step 4 Psychology Team is part of the stepped care model in Primary Care and is based in Chester and includes clinical and counselling psychologists. We have close working relationships and links with the other steps in the service and team locally. We are a supportive, enthusiastic team who work hard to meet client need and to help fellow colleagues achieve their potential.

Main duties of the job

To support qualified psychological practitioners in the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions (both group and individuals) and be comfortable with co-facilitating group interventions. The post older would therefore be expected to manage a caseload which includes adults of working age and older adult clients.

The ability to assess risk and create safety plans with clients and document accordingly is essential.

To support clients with the opt in process for the service as required.

To be both involved in the triage process and in communicating the outcome to clients.

To communicate and liaise with clients, families, and other professionals verbally and in writing and must therefore be able to share complex and sensitive information clearly and concisely.

To support with audit and research ongoing in the service, as well as helping with clinical administration tasks and database management as appropriate.

You would be expected to attend team meetings and to contribute appropriately.

The role requires attendance at weekly supervision sessions held with a clinical psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines and CWP policy.

The post holders would attend CPD sessions as appropriate in line with service needs and personal development.

About us

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.

We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.

Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.

As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.

Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

373-SMH2472

Job locations

Countess of Chester Health Park

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH1 2BQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please download a copy of the job description (see documents to download section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.

At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.

CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trusts Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.

Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trusts Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trusts Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.

An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: cwp.recruitment@nhs.net or by calling 01244 393100.

If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the essential criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer YES to the question: Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?

Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.

New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.

Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon!

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A minimum of a second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
  • Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
  • Successful completion of a postgraduate qualification in applied psychological practice] or equivalent (e.g. UCLan PG diploma)

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

  • A good knowledge of lifespan psychology applied to health care
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with psychological/mental health difficulties or other disabilities
  • Able to undertake annual physical health checks

Desirable

  • An understanding of the clinical practice of psychological interventions

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with people with who experience difficulties with mental health and/or physical health
  • To have worked as part of a team within a statutory or voluntary care setting.

Desirable

  • Experience in conducting research projects or service related audit.
  • Experience of delivering training.
  • Experience of group work.
Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • A minimum of a second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
  • Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
  • Successful completion of a postgraduate qualification in applied psychological practice] or equivalent (e.g. UCLan PG diploma)

Knowledge and Expertise

Essential

  • A good knowledge of lifespan psychology applied to health care
  • An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with psychological/mental health difficulties or other disabilities
  • Able to undertake annual physical health checks

Desirable

  • An understanding of the clinical practice of psychological interventions

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with people with who experience difficulties with mental health and/or physical health
  • To have worked as part of a team within a statutory or voluntary care setting.

Desirable

  • Experience in conducting research projects or service related audit.
  • Experience of delivering training.
  • Experience of group work.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Countess of Chester Health Park

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH1 2BQ


Employer's website

https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Countess of Chester Health Park

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH1 2BQ


Employer's website

https://www.cwp.nhs.uk/about-us/working-for-us/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Consultant Clinical Psychologist

Lisa Hulmes

l.hulmes@nhs.net

Details

Date posted

30 September 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 5

Salary

£31,049 to £37,796 a year per annum pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time

Reference number

373-SMH2472

Job locations

Countess of Chester Health Park

Liverpool Road

Chester

CH1 2BQ


Supporting documents

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