Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust; Sherborne, Shaftesbury, Blandford Forum; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to join their innovative team in Dorset. The role involves providing psychological interventions for individuals with mild to moderate mental health issues. Eligible candidates must have specific qualifications in CBT and possess strong communication skills. This position emphasizes patient support through various mediums. Join a dynamic service focused on recovery and professional development.

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Certificate in Low Intensity CBT with IAPT PWP status or an MSci Applied Psychology required.
• Experience in primary care services preferred.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression.

Responsibilities

• Provide high-volume, low-intensity psychological interventions.
• Accept referrals and assess patients' self-management of their recovery.
• Liaise with other agencies to support patients.

Skills

Experience working with people who have experienced a mental health problem

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Ability to evaluate and implement training effects

Understanding of anxiety and depression presentation in primary care

Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients

Education

Postgraduate Certificate in Low Intensity CBT or equivalent

Psychology or health-related degree

Job description

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

The closing date is 17 December 2025.

Want to join an innovative team with a strong focus on staff wellbeing, achieving good recovery rates, and developing your professional knowledge and skills? Do you want to work in beautiful Dorset with stunning coastal areas, award‑winning beaches, and national parks? Why not join the Dorset Steps 2 Wellbeing Service as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP). This is an exciting opportunity to join a Low‑Intensity Team across Dorset.

Dorset Steps 2 Wellbeing is a dynamic, progressive service with a friendly and supportive team. You will work within NHS Talking Therapies, providing psychological interventions to people with mild to moderate common mental health problems such as anxiety disorders and depression.

You must have either a Postgraduate Certificate in Low Intensity CBT with IAPT PWP status or an MSci Applied Psychology (Clinical) qualification to apply for this post.

This is a fixed term role. For those with current NHS service, the role will be offered on a secondment basis only. Please obtain permission to be released on a secondment before submitting an application.

Main duties of the job

The post-holder will work within the NHS Talking therapy service providing high‑volume, low‑intensity interventions which will be a range of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based self‑management interventions service to patients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression.

• 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.
• Provide a range of information and support for evidence‑based high‑volume low‑intensity psychological treatments, including Guided Self‑Help, Computerised CBT, information about pharmacological treatments and courses. This work may be face‑to‑face, telephone or via other media.
• Carry out safety assessments.
• Provide phone, online, and face‑to‑face Guided Self‑Help sessions.
• Liaise with other agencies and signpost patients to services such as housing and employment.

Employment in this post requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which the Trust will cover the cost of. Applicants who subscribe to the DBS update service can present a valid DBS certificate instead of a new check.

Applications from candidates who require current Skilled Worker sponsorship to work in the UK are unfortunately ineligible to apply for this position.

About us

Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust is on a mission to empower people to make the most of their lives through outstanding, joined‑up healthcare services. We run 12 community hospitals, specialist inpatient facilities and a wide range of integrated community and mental health services for a population of almost 800,000 people. We are rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC and 95 % of patients report a good or very good experience of our services. 89 % of staff feel they can really make a difference.

Our 7,000-strong workforce is at the heart of what we do. We are an inclusive workplace, celebrating diversity and encouraging everyone to be their best.

Job responsibilities

For the main duties and responsibilities for this role please read 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 apply to this post.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Postgraduate Certificate or Level 3 undergraduate course in PWP Training Course (or equivalent).
• Equivalent experience e.g. qualified graduate mental health worker with relevant primary care experience and competencies as required.
• Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy.
• Psychology or other health‑related undergraduate/postgraduate degree.

Skills / Experience

• Experience working with people who have experienced a mental health problem.
• High standards in written communication.
• Ability to evaluate and implement training effects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills including telephone skills.
• Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
• Understanding of anxiety and depression presentation in primary care.
• Experience in primary care services.
• Experience working in a service with agreed targets demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Ability to manage own caseload and time.
• Training (formal or experience based) and carrying out risk assessments within scope of practice.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Understanding of need to use evidence‑based psychological therapies.

Personal Qualities / Aptitudes

• High enthusiasm and motivation.
• Teamwork and fostering good working relationships.
• Use of clinical supervision and personal development positively.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Respect for others’ rights and confidentiality.
• Self‑reflection in working with service users and in supervision.
• Fluency in languages other than English.

Additional requirements

• Demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to a standard enabling the post holder to carry out the full range of duties and responsibilities effectively.
• Subject to Equality Act provisions, able to travel using own vehicle on Trust business.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and a submission for Disclosure will be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.