Band 4 Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner-Talking Therapies

at  Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust

Wiltshire, Swindon and BaNES Talking Therapies Services
We are recruiting for Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) positions with the Wiltshire, Swindon and BaNES Talking Therapies services, within the AWP Mental Health Trust. Our team have recently been recognised as AWP’s “Team of the Year” at the annual awards ceremony.
The post-holder will work within the Talking Therapies service 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.
This position and the associated training will start in March 2025, Applicants must be able to commit to all training dates.
This role combines two days per week teaching, held either remotely or at the University of Exeter, to study for a PGCert and degree level 6 in Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) with three days of low-intensity clinical practice, based in one of the services in Swindon, Devizes, Salisbury or Bath.
Salary: You will be paid at Band 4 during the training year and, following qualification, you will be appointed as a Band 5 Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) .
The post-holder will work within the Talking Therapies service 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.
Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners in NHS Talking Therapies services provide support to individuals experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems. This role offers a great opportunity to improve the wellbeing of many people, and build a career in NHS mental health services. As an entry-level training opportunity, this role is open to a wide range of candidates, and we particularly welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds.
Study: The PWP training programme is delivered over 45 days of which 30 are delivered at the University of Exeter (or taught online) and 15 are set as university structured and directed learning days that can be undertaken outside of the university.
Other: Y ou will need to be willing and able to travel throughout the locality and to locations outside the organisation.
We are AWP (Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust) a diverse organisation with over 5,000 dedicated staff providing inpatient and community-based mental health care.
We provide services from a range of locations to approximately 1.8 million people living in Bath and North East Somerset (B&NES), Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon, across the county of Wiltshire and in parts of Dorset.
Our outstanding people promote mental health and wellbeing. The expertise and resources within AWP are dedicated to a person-centred approach for those who use our services and for all employees. We recognise that happy and fulfilled employees give better care.
At AWP we actively encourage applicants from all backgrounds; we are particularly keen to encourage applications from people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, those with disabilities and from the LGBTQ+ community. We want people to bring their unique blend of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and knowledge to AWP, as diversity makes us stronger.
Please see job description for full details.

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 centred interviews 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 suitability of new referrals, adhering to referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-up the person’s treatment to high intensity.
Provide a range of information and support for evidence based high volume low intensity psychological treatments. This may include guided self – help computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments. This work may be face to face, telephone or via other media.
Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the 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.
Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post. This will include attending taught university days and engaging with university directed study days, assignments and independent study.
Essential criteria
Undergraduate degree or evidence of previous successful study at Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 6.
Evidence of working with people who have suffered with a mental health problems.
Verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to work under pressure.
Desirable criteria
Volunteer Work.
Experience of working in Primary Care Services.
Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems