Trainee High Intensity Therapist Leicester University of Lincoln

Vita Health Group; Greater Lincolnshire; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading provider of Talking Therapies is seeking aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists as Trainee High Intensity Therapists. This is a full-time role involving clinical practice and hybrid training at the University of Lincoln, starting from March 2026. Applicants need relevant educational qualifications and mental health experience to apply.

Benefits

Flexible work life balance

Supportive team and management

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in a mental health setting is essential.
• Availability to attend university as required for training.
• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Provide High Intensity CBT interventions to clients.
• Undertake training at University of Lincoln.
• Attend clinical practice and training sessions.

Skills

Mental health professional experience

Core Professional training

Effective communication

Education

Undergraduate degree in mental health or equivalent

Membership of the BABCP

Job description

We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Talking Therapies service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the March cohort at the University of Lincoln. The course you will undertake is the one-year, full-time, PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/course/hipintpd/ This is a one year role with a start date of 2nd March 2026 for induction with Vita Health Group and 4th March 2026 at University of Lincoln. A typical working week includes 3 days of clinical practice with the service and 2 days at University. University days will be hybrid training with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching. Whilst your clinical practice is likely to include some remote working, you will be required to attend one of the service area offices for part of the week. Depending on where you are based, you will be expected to work one late shift per week from 12:00pm-8:00pm. 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. 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.

Key selection criteria

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held on 3rd or 9th December. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role and attend service induction on 2nd March 2026. Following this, the first day of training with the University of Lincoln will be on 4th March 2026. All essential equipment will be provided.
• For those successful candidates completing a KSA, you will need to have these fully completed by early January 2026. For further information on how to complete the KSA please review the attached guidance document.
• A Disclosure and Barring check (DBS) 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. We are committed to being equitable and supporting the wellbeing of all employees.
• We are a Mindful Employer.
• Our status as a Disability Confident Leader dedicated to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. All disabled candidates that meet the minimum essential criteria will be considered for interview.
• Our Ethnicity Matters Scheme where all applicants for senior roles (40,000+) from a minority ethnic group that meet the essential criteria will be considered for interview.
• Our Gender Matters Scheme where all women applicants for senior roles (60,000+) that meet the essential criteria will be considered for interview.
• Our sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Our status as a Menopause Friendly Committed employer.
• Our sign up to the Employer with Heart Charter.
• Our commitment to meet the standards outlined in the NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS). Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) and Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES).
• Access to health and wellbeing services for colleagues including Mental Health Advocates and an Employee Assistance Programme.
• An embedded "speaking up" culture facilitated by Freedom to Speak Up Guardians.
• Treating transgender individuals with dignity and recognising the potential complications that may arise when taking references. We encourage applicants to contact HR at [e-mail] to discuss or amend how we manage reference requests.

Should you wish to discuss any adjustment or assistance you need in the application or interview process please contact [e-mail] and we will facilitate. Please note, all applicants must be legally entitled to accept and perform work in the UK and all positions are subject to a DBS check.

Additional requirements

• 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?
• 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 a mixture of face to face and remote.
• Experience of working in mental health services, including risk management.
• Experience of working in Primary Care/Talking Therapies services.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Willingness to travel, which may include overnight stays on occasion, as and when required.

Desirable requirements

• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.
• Evidence of supervised CBT practice.
• Disability Confident

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to .

About Vita Health Group

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! Vita Health Group celebrates life. Improving lives physically and mentally drives everything we do. Now part of Spire Healthcare Group plc we have been providing physical and mental health services for over 30 years. We work in partnership with the NHS, are engaged by insurers and some of the UK's largest corporate companies to support their workforce and provide a full range of physiotherapy services to private customers. To achieve our mission of Making People Better, we recognise the importance of investing in our staff. We are an award-winning employer recently recognised nationally as "Best Company to Work for" at the Health and Wellbeing Awards 2024.

We are keen to progress your skills and enable career development and provide regular Continued Professional Development opportunities including secondments, management training, a mentoring scheme, apprenticeships and regular events and webinars across a range of clinical disciplines. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer the opportunity of a flexible work life balance and a comprehensive benefits package which you can view here: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/join-us/careers

Benefits

• Supportive team and management
• Positive work environment
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Trust and respect
• Autonomy and flexibility