Trainee High Intensity Therapist - Calderdale

Vita Health Group Ltd; Calderdale; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

Vita Health Group in Calderdale is recruiting for Trainee High Intensity Therapists to join the March 2027 cohort with the University of Sheffield. The role combines clinical practice in Calderdale with university study in a hybrid format, delivering NICE-recommended High Intensity CBT to clients with common mental health disorders.

This fixed-term programme runs 12 months and includes weekly supervision from both university and workplace, with potential progression to a permanent post.

Qualifications

• Core Professional training or qualification, or able to demonstrate at interview that you meet the KSA requirements set by the BABCP.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (or ability to study at third year undergraduate degree level).
• Membership of the BABCP (from the time that the course commences).
• Availability to attend university as required – teaching will be conducted face to face.
• Experience of working in mental health services, including risk management.
• Willingness to travel, which may include overnight stays on occasion, as and when required.
• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.
• Evidence of supervised CBT practice.
• Experience of working in Primary Care/Talking Therapies services.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Provide High Intensity CBT interventions recommended by NICE to clients with moderate to severe common mental health disorders.
• Receive weekly supervision provided by both the university and the workplace.
• Complete the Postgraduate Diploma HIPI over 12 months.
• Attend university 2 days per week with hybrid teaching; work in clinics Calderdale in person.
• There may be opportunity to apply for a permanent post after training.

Skills

CBT knowledge

KSA BABCP

Risk management

Willingness to travel

Supervised CBT practice

Education

Undergraduate degree in mental health

BABCP membership

Tools

NHS Talking Therapies collaboration

University partnership tools

Job description

Trainee High Intensity Therapist - Calderdale

Are you an experienced mental health professional or social care worker with a recognised professional qualification working in a mental health setting? Do you meet the KSA requirements as set out by the BABCP? Have you considered training in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and getting paid to do it?

If so, our Trainee High Intensity Therapist programme could be the role for you!

Getting to know Us

Hello! We are Vita Health Group – we are one of the lead providers of Talking Therapies services within the North East, Midlands, South East and South West. We are super proud of the work we do at Step 3 and see the life-changing impact of our practice every single day!

We really do practice what we preach here at Vita, with a company-wide focus on staff wellbeing, a flexible and creative approach to work and a real culture of openness and support. We love to see our colleagues thrive and achieve their personal goals, so we place a real emphasis on quality supervision, rich CPD and encouraging our CBT Therapists to embrace specialist training and leadership opportunities.

The Role

We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our Calderdale Talking Therapies service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the March 2027 cohort at the University of Sheffield. The course you will undertake is the one-year, full-time, Postgraduate Diploma in High Intensity Psychological Interventions (HIPI).

This is a fixed term position with a start date of 8th March for induction with the University of Sheffield. There will be a service induction with Vita Health Group starting 1st March.

This is a fixed term role for 12 months.

After completing the training and becoming a qualified HIT, there may be an opportunity to apply for a permanent post and contribute to an experienced and innovative service.

A typical working week includes 3 days of clinical practice with the service (one of these days will be a late shift of 12:00-8:00pm, worked remotely) and 2 days attending university. University days will be hybrid teaching and work in clinics will also be hybrid working so you must be able to attend Sheffield University and clinics in Calderdale in person.

Course information can be found here: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/clinicalpsychology/programmes/nhs-talking-therapies-anxiety-and-depression/hipi

You will provide High Intensity CBT interventions recommended by NICE to clients with moderate to severe common mental health disorders and will receive weekly supervision provided by both the university and the workplace.

Getting to know You

The Trainee position is aimed at mental health professionals who have some experience in CBT and who continue to work in a mental health environment.

Applications are invited from qualified Clinical or Counselling Psychological Therapists, Mental Health Nurses, Psychotherapists, Counsellors, Occupational Therapists, Social Workers and PWPs (with two years post qualification experience).

Applicants without a recognised and accredited core mental health professional training (such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners or Psychotherapists and Counsellors without UKCP or BACP accreditation) are eligible to apply but must have a completed KSA at interview.

For more information about Core Professions: https://www.babcp.com/Core-Professions

For more information about the KSA requirements: https://www.babcp.com/Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes

• Core Professional training or qualification, or able to demonstrate at interview that you meet the KSA requirements set by the BABCP.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (or ability to study at third year undergraduate degree level).
• Membership of the BABCP (from the time that the course commences).
• Availability to attend university as required – teaching will be conducted face to face.
• Experience of working in mental health services, including risk management.
• Willingness to travel, which may include overnight stays on occasion, as and when required.
• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.
• Evidence of supervised CBT practice.
• Experience of working in Primary Care/Talking Therapies services.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.

Other Requirements

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held on either 24th or 25th November. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role on 1st March 2027.
• Applicants who apply via the KSA route must be able to submit their portfolio at interview.
• A Disclosure and Barring check (DBS, formerly CRB) will be required by the service for appointment to post.
• Applicants who have completed an NHS or HEE funded psychological professions training programme within the last two years are not eligible to apply.
• Only those with the right to work in the UK without restriction and eligible for Home Fee status can be recruited. These rules are set by the UK government and cannot be changed by individual universities or the NHS. All candidates who hold a visa should ensure that their visapermitsthe right to work and study in the UK.

About Us

As part of Spire Healthcare, we’re proud to build on a legacy of improving lives for over 30 years and continue to deliver primary care physical and mental health services accessed through the NHS, via employer-funded care and at our network of private clinics.

Working here

• Supportive teams and managers
• A positive and inclusive culture
• Strong well‑being and mental health support
• Trust, autonomy and flexibility

We invest in your growth with frequent career progression opportunities and development initiatives including mentoring, secondments, management training and regular clinical CPD webinars. You will enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package – further details here

Equality Diversity & Inclusion

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively support a range of initiatives including:

• Disability Confident Leader
• Positive action through Ethnicity and Gender Matters initiatives
• Employer with Heart and Mindful Employer status
• Menopause Friendly accreditation

  Learn more about our EDI commitments here

  Equality, Diversity & Inclusion - Vita Health Group.

  Additional information

  All applicants must be legally entitled to work in the UK and subject to a DBS check at offer stage.

  Your application data is handled securely in accordance to UK GDPR guidelines.

  We may close jobs to new applications earlier than original stated closing date.

  If you need any adjustments or assistance during the recruitment process we will be happy to help - please get in touch at [e-mail]

  Salary

  £39,227 to £39,227 a year

  Hours

  Full‑time

  Location

  Calderdale, HX1 2EQ

  Job type

  Temporary