Apprentice Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Job overview
The Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Talking Therapies Service are excited to offer posts for the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) Apprenticeship to become a Qualified PWP within NHS Talking Therapies.Our service is a creative organisation which embraces staff ideas to constantly seek ways of taking the service forward to adapt to changing expectations and this apprenticeship opportunity provides a route to train and gain experience within NHS Talking Therapies for Anxiety/Depression offering opportunities for applicants without degree qualifications who have relevant work experience in caring for people, particularly within Mental Health services.
Typical applicants are, Healthcare Support Workers, Triage assessors and similar roles and the course is designed to support those with the relevant skills/transferrable skills into employment at as PWP.We have strong links with academic institutions with staff from the service teaching university courses devised in conjunction with MPFT and our senior staff lead professional development sessions locally and nationally offering you an opportunity to develop your practice through our internal and external CPD offer.
The service hours are between 8am-8pm Monday to Friday, and in future on Saturday AM. Candidates are required to work flexibly to meet service needs within these hoursOur central location benefits from free parking, easy travelling distance of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire with direct train links to Derby
Main duties of the job
Whilst undertaking the Apprenticeship Course at Staffordshire University, apprentices will spend 2 days a week at university/self-directed study and 3 days a week in supervised clinical practice at base.Apprentices will work with a high degree of autonomy during this course. The training is demanding and includes clinical placement managing a high-volume caseload of low intensity patients including individual and group work which may include telephone, video sessions and face-to-face work.
The role is well supported with weekly case management and monthly clinical supervision with qualified clinicians. In addition to clinical contact, the role includes data collection/management, analysis, record keeping and community engagement activities.
Following successful completion of the course and achieving satisfactory performance levels, there will be an opportunity to transition into a Permanent Contract within the service. Once qualified you will be required to become a registered practitioner with BABCP or BPS within 1 year of qualification.
Certificate evidence of English and Maths at either GCSE C or above or Level 2 Functional Skills is required.This exciting role has been developed to support patient care and NHS service delivery. It is for this reason that the training and salary are being supported with public funds and we would ask you to apply to only one Trust and one Higher Education Institution (HEI).
The Start Date for role will be 6th of October 2025
Working for our organisation
By joining Team MPFT, you will be helping your communities and in return for this, we will support you by;- Supporting your career development and progression
- Excellent NHS Pension scheme
- Generous maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Options for flexible working
- Up to 27 days annual leave (increasing with service up to 33 days)
- Extensive Health and Wellbeing support and resources
- If you work in our community teams, we pay for your time travelling between patients
- Lease car if you complete more than 500 business miles per annum, fully insured and maintained (including tyres), mileage paid at lease car rate
- Salary sacrifice car - fully insured and maintained (including tyres), your gross pay is reduced by the cost of the vehicle before tax, NI and pension deductions are calculated, mileage paid at business rates
- Salary sacrifice bikes up to £2k
- Free car parking at all trust sites
- Free flu vaccinations every year
- Citizens Advice support linked with a Hardship Fund for one off additional support up to £250 (if the criteria is met)
We are proud to be a diverse and inclusive organisation and there is a choice of staff networks that help you meet like-minded people.
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Key Responsibilities:- Make decisions on the suitability of new referrals, identifying the most suitable service for the patient.
- Assess and support people with a common mental health problem in the self-management of their recovery.
- Undertake patient-centred assessments to identify areas where the person wishes to see change and make an accurately identify any risk to self and others.
- Provide a range of information and support using evidence based high-volume low-intensity psychological treatments.
- 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.
- 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, to ensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker, supervisor and service are delivered.
For full information regarding the role, please see attached the Job Description and Person Specification.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- GCSE Grade C or above in English and Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills
Skills
Essential criteria- Able to develop good theraputic relationships with clients - consider relationships with others