Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Job description

Job responsibilities

We have a strong working relationship with the training provider University of Reading, with whom we have worked for our previous cohort of Trainee PWPs.

JOB SUMMARY

This is a training role within the Talking Therapies service (previously IAPT). The post-holder will work within DHC Talking Therapies, providing high-volume low-intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. The training post will equip the post holder to provide a range of low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) based self-management interventions to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression related difficulties. The post holder will attend all taught and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within the National Low Intensity curriculum and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using their newly developed skills. The post holder will work with people from different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equal opportunities. The post holder will be working remotely (from home) and on-site (from one of our hub locations: Oxted, Dorking, Epsom, Guildford, Woking, Walton-on-Thames). The post-holder will work a minimum of 2 days a week on-site.

The post-holder must be available to start the week commencing the 9th February 2026.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST

1. CLINICAL

1.1. Undertake patient-centred assessments which identify areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery, and using supervision, make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.

1.2. Support clients in accessing appropriate services across the care pathway.

1.3. Provide a range of information and support for evidence-based high-volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self-help, computerised CBT, group work, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face-to-face, telephone or via other media.

1.4. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

1.5. Accurate data collection, including coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and requirements.

1.6. Work closely with other members of the team, ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

1.7. Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process. To work alongside the embedded employment support service to provide collaborative care and appropriate signposting opportunities.

1.8. Operate at all times from an inclusive values base which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.

1.9. To work at least one late shift per week (12pm 8pm) to provide accessible treatment to clients.

1.10. To use the service Governance reporting system in line with service policy to ensure safe practice and support team learning.

1.11. Any other reasonable task as directed.

2. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

2.1. Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academic and practice-based assessments, and apply learning from the training programme into practice.

2.2. Prepare and present clinical information for all patients on their caseload to clinical case management supervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor and service are delivered.

2.3. Prepare for and attend regular clinical skills practice.

2.4. Respond to and implement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice.

2.5. Engage in and respond to personal development supervision to improve competences and clinical practice.

2.6. Attend and engage in line management supervision on a monthly basis and set goals for development.

3. WORK SETTING AND REVIEW

3.1. To manage own workload efficiently and effectively on a daily basis. Maintain confidentiality at all times. Make decisions pertaining to the smooth and efficient running of DHC, acting independently but, where necessary, referring problems to management or the appropriate external agency via the quickest route possible.

3.2. Be able to work with a degree of autonomy but be aware of boundaries and seek support as appropriate.

3.3. Work with a continuous improvement mindset.

3.4. Be aware of and keep up to date with advances in the range of treatments for common mental health problems.

3.5. Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

3.6. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

3.7. Keep up to date with all records in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure the personal development plan maintains up-to-date specialist knowledge of the latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

3.8. Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

3.9. To be flexible to travel to different locations of work (in hub or community settings) to provide accessible locations for all clients in Surrey and ensure that professionalism and good working relationships are maintained with these venues.

3.10. To comply with service dress code policy.

3.11. To comply with the service's social media policies.

4. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES

4.1. Adhere to DHC policies and procedures and relevant legislation, including the requirements of any professional bodies attend mandatory training as identified by the DHC.

4.2. Ensure mandatory training is up-to-date at all times.

4.3. Contribute to ongoing projects as required.

4.4. All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health and safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.

4.5. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.

4.6. All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

4.7. It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

5. CONFIDENTIALITY

5.1. The post holder must maintain the confidentiality of information about patients, staff and DHC

business in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018 and Caldicott principles.

This job description represents an outline of the responsibilities of the post and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of duties or tasks. It will change and develop in line with organisational needs and may be amended following consultation with the post-holder.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• -Undergraduate route:
• Level 3 qualifications e.g. 3 A- Levels, Level 3 diplomas, Level 3 NVQs.
• Level 4 qualifications 120 FHEQ credits e.g. Certificate of higher education, Level 4 diplomas, Level 4 NVQs.
• Level 5 qualifications 120 FHEQ credits e.g. Foundation degree, Level 5 diplomas, Level 5 NVQs.
• An academic essay will be required to demonstrate the ability to study at an undergraduate level and apply for recognition of prior experience. Please contact us for more details.
• -Postgraduate route:
• Degree or a Master's degree, or a postgraduate certificate.
• Degree, Level 6 diploma, Level 6 NVQs. An academic essay will be required to demonstrate the ability to study at a postgraduate level.

Desirable

• Training/knowledge in CBT low-intensity interventions.
• Qualifications and training in a healthcare field e.g. nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy.
• A psychology or other health-related undergraduate degree.

CANDIDATES MUST CLEARLY ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IF THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOT CLEARLY ANSWERED.

Essential

• -Why do you want to be a trainee PWP? (Max 250 words).
• -What do you anticipate will be the challenges of the training year and what skills do you have to manage these? (Max 250 words).
• -Write about a time in which you have used skills such as empathy, warmth, effective communication/questioning, or normalising and what you learnt from this experience? (Max 250 words).
• -What experience and other attributes make you an ideal candidate for this role? E.g. training, personal qualities etc. (Max 250 words).

Experience

Essential

• Significant experience working in a caring/helping profession
• e.g. healthcare roles, social care roles.
• Understanding the processes of assessing peoples needs.
• Knowledge and understanding of common mental health problems.
• Capacity to work holistically with clients in a way that promotes recovery and respects diversity.
• Capacity to work effectively with high caseloads.
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.

Desirable

• Experience of working with people who have experienced mental health challenges within mental health settings.
• Trained and experienced in carrying out risk assessments.
• Experience in delivering and treating clients with common mental health problems.
• An understanding of CBT guided self-help.
• Knowledge of medications used in anxiety and depression, and other common mental health problems.
• Experience meeting agreed targets and demonstrating positive clinical outcomes.

Training

Essential

• Able to attend a two-day per week course.
• Able to complete academic components of the course.
• Willingness to study and learn, and apply learning into practice.

Desirable

• Experience of training or studying whilst simultaneously applying learning into practice.

Skills and abilities

Essential

• Demonstrates excellent IT skills, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
• Demonstrates high standards in written and verbal communication, including telephone skills.
• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
• Demonstrates compassion and motivation for a career supporting individuals struggling with their mental health.
• Ability to work as a reliable member of a team and foster good working relationships.
• Ability to write clear reports and letters.
• Ability to organise and prioritise when managing competing/ conflicting demands.
• Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Ability and willingness to travel to locations in Surrey.

Desirable

• Experience of working with electronic record systems in healthcare/caring settings.
• Experience of providing support through different formats e.g. face to face, video or telephone.
• Experience using clinical supervision to aid safe practice and skills development.
• 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.

Employer details

Employer name

Dorking Healthcare Ltd.

Address

Medwyn Centre

Reigate Road

Dorking

Surrey

RH4 1SD

Employer's website

https://dhcclinical.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)