Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Harmonia Careers; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A community support service in Sunderland is seeking a Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. The role offers the opportunity to work full-time or part-time, supporting individuals with low intensity interventions. Ideal candidates should hold a qualification in Low Intensity Psychological Therapies and be registered as a PWP, with the chance for significant professional development and diverse case exposure.

Benefits

30 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Ongoing training and development opportunities

24/7 employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience of working effectively as a PWP in a high-pressured setting.
• Experience managing own PWP clinical caseload.
• Understanding of NICE guidelines for anxiety and depression.

Responsibilities

• Conduct triage screening assessments.
• Provide low intensity interventions and guidance.
• Mentor trainee PWPs.

Skills

Clinical note recording

Building rapport with service users

Low Intensity CBT modalities

Education

PWP Training Course qualification

Psychology or related degree

Job description

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity within Sunderland Talking Therapies to appoint a Qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. The position is for either a qualified PWP who holds a PWP accreditation or a Trainee PWP nearing the end of training and due to be ratified, who wants to develop their skills within our team. The post is full-time (37.5 hours) but we are open to applications for part-time hours. The post holder will work with people from different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary, and should be committed to equal opportunities.

Interviews for this post will take place on 9 October 2025.

The Successful Candidate Should

• Have successfully completed an academic course of study in line with the IAPT Low Intensity National Programme and be qualified as a PWP (e.g. PG Cert Low Intensity Psychological Therapies).
• We are also interested in receiving applications from current Trainee PWPs who are enrolled on a PG Cert in Low Intensity Psychological Therapies and are due to qualify. If you are a current Trainee PWP you would initially be employed at Band 4 and once marks have been ratified by your university examination board, and you have gained PWP registration this would be uplifted to a Band 5.
• Have a current registration with the BABCP or BPS, or be able to immediately apply for this once in post (PWPs will remain at band 4 until registration has been submitted and confirmed).

Main duties of the job

In This Role You Will

• Undertake triage screening assessments and make onward referrals.
• Provide a range of low intensity interventions e.g. guided self-help (telephone, online, and face-to-face), psycho-educational courses and computerised CBT.
• Have the opportunity to contribute to service improvement projects, champion roles and specialist interest groups.
• Liaise with external agencies and services to promote Sunderland Talking Therapies.
• Mentor trainee PWPs.
• Work closely with other PWPs to support one another and utilise skills and knowledge.
• Engage with the wider multidisciplinary team and participate in team huddles.

About Us

What we offer:

• Regular opportunities for ongoing continuing personal development through in-house training workshops or external training events.
• Monthly line management and weekly case management supervision.
• Fortnightly clinical skills supervision and a monthly PWP meeting.
• 30 days annual leave (pro-rata) plus statutory bank holidays.
• Service operates 8-8 weekdays; the post holder will be expected to work flexibly across required shifts.

Details

Date posted: 17 September 2025

Pay scheme: Agenda for Change

Band: Band 5

Salary: £31,049 a year

Contract: Permanent

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: B0330-25-0013

Job locations: 51 John Street, Sunderland, SR1 1QN; Monkwearmouth Hospital, Newcastle Road, Sunderland, SR5 1NB; Ryhope Hospital, Waterworks Road, Ryhope, Sunderland, SR2 0NB

Job Description

Job responsibilities

The salary for this post is NHS comparable. The successful applicant will be employed on Sunderland Counselling Service (SCS) terms and conditions, working within Sunderland Talking Therapies as a sub-contractor. The successful candidate will be entitled to SCS benefits such as access to our 24/7 employee assistance programme to support wellbeing and will be within a 12-month probationary period. Sunderland Talking Therapies comprises a large multidisciplinary team including PWPs, Community Practitioners, High Intensity Therapies and a counsellor. A Senior Management Team oversees the service and staff. Sunderland Talking Therapies also works as a single point of access for patients via Sunderland Counselling Service, Sunderland Mind and Washington Mind.

Our PWP workforce is valued and varied, offering opportunities to participate in service development projects and training (e.g. PWP supervisors course, LTC training, leadership training). We are committed to developing PWPs and maintaining workforce wellbeing.

Person Specification

Experience – Essential

• Experience of working effectively as a PWP in a high-pressured setting (primary care or equivalent).
• Experience of managing own PWP clinical caseload.

Experience – Desirable

• Evidence of communicating with people from diverse backgrounds and using an interpreter.
• Experience of adapting Low Intensity CBT approaches for neurodiversity and for individuals with long-term conditions or medically unexplained symptoms.

Other requirements

• Willingness and ability to work clinically on evenings when required by the service.
• Willingness and ability to travel to various locations for patient appointments.

Qualifications

• Qualification from an accredited PWP Training Course.
• PWP registration with BPS or BABCP or eligibility to apply immediately once in post.

Desirable

• Psychology or other health and care related undergraduate degree.
• Completion of an accredited course relating to working with long-term conditions within Low Intensity therapy.

Knowledge

Essential

• Understanding NICE guidelines for anxiety and depression and how to apply them in practice.
• Importance of building strong working relationships within a multidisciplinary team.
• Understanding clinical risk assessments within PWP work.

Desirable

• Understanding the role and benefits of clinical skills and case management supervision.

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• High quality and timely clinical note recording and ability to write reports and letters.
• Ability to build rapport with service users.

Desirable

• Experience delivering Low Intensity CBT via multiple modalities (face-to-face, telephone guided self-help, online support, psychoeducational classes).

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a DBS disclosure check.

UK Registration: Applicants must have current UK professional registration.

Employer details

Sunderland Counselling Service, 51 John Street, Sunderland, SR1 1QN. Website: http://www.sunderlandcounselling.org.uk/