Trainee High Intensity Therapist - Leicestershire or Derbyshire

NHS; Derby; On-site; GBP 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Join the NHS Trainee High Intensity Therapist program to develop your career in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. This role offers the chance to work in mental health services while receiving training from the University of Nottingham. You will gain experience in delivering evidence-based therapies in a supportive environment with focus on professional development.

Benefits

Quality supervision and CPD opportunities

Flexible working arrangements

Qualifications

• Experience in a mental health setting is preferred.
• Membership of the BABCP required after course commencement.
• Ability to complete a KSA portfolio by 31st August 2025.

Responsibilities

• Provide High Intensity CBT interventions to clients.
• Participate in clinical practice and university training.
• Engage in reflective learning with supervisors.

Skills

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Mental health assessment

Risk management

Clinical practice

Education

Undergraduate degree in a mental health discipline

Job description

Job summary

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!

Main duties of the job

We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Talking Therapies service or, with a NHS Talking Therapies partnership, our Derby and Everyturn Service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists.

About us

Vita Health Group celebrates life. Improving lives physically and mentally drives everything we do. To find out more about Vita Health Group and the services we provide, please click here: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/

Details Date posted

06 June 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£37,338 a year

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

VPA792EFBF

Job locations

Derby

Derby

DE1 1BS

Leicester

Leicester

LE1 5WW

Job description Job responsibilities

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 Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Talking Therapies service or, with a NHS Talking Therapies partnership, our Derby and Everyturn Service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the September 2025 cohort at the University of Nottingham. The course you will undertake is the one-year, full-time, PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For further information on the course please visit: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/course/taught/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-msc#overview

These are permanent positions with a start date of 22nd September for induction with the University of Nottingham. There will be a service induction prior to this which begins on 15th September 2025.

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 may 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.

How we support you:

Close liaison with the University and the workplace -During your training you will receive weekly supervision by both the workplace and by the University.

Hybrid working -Your days working in the service will be a combination of remote working and face to face clinics in one of the LLR or Derby offices for part of the week. This may include one late shift per week. University days will be hybrid training with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching.

Preceptorship Period Post-Training -Following successful completion of training, newly qualified therapists are offered a six-month preceptorship period. The preceptorship package provides opportunity to consolidate knowledge and build confidence through reflective learning with an allocated mentor.

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 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 be able to complete a KSA portfolio by 31st August 2025.

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

Essential Requirements:

• 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/IAPT services.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.

Desirable Requirements:

• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.

Other Requirements:

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held in July. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role and attend service induction on 15th September 2025.Following this, the first day of training with the University of Nottingham will be on 22nd September 2025. All essential equipment will be provided.
• For those successful candidates completing a KSA, you will need to have these fully completed by 31st August. For further guidance on how to complete the KSA please email us at [e-mail].
• 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.

Why Vita Health Group?

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 UKs 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.

This is also recognised by current employees our most recent Employee Survey results showed the top 5 reasons to work here as being:

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

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/

Vita Health Group is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and is seeking to improve the diversity of its workforce. We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion best practice and positively encourage applications from candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/belief, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity. For further information on our EDI commitments please view here: Vita Health Groups commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Any data which you share with us throughout the hiring process will be stored securely within the UK and is accessible only by staff who require it. Should your application be unsuccessful, your data will be securely destroyed after 6 months.

Vita Health Group reserves the right to close this job when sufficient applications have been received.

Job description Job responsibilities

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 Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (LLR) Talking Therapies service or, with a NHS Talking Therapies partnership, our Derby and Everyturn Service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the September 2025 cohort at the University of Nottingham. The course you will undertake is the one-year, full-time, PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. For further information on the course please visit: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/pgstudy/course/taught/cognitive-behavioural-therapy-msc#overview

These are permanent positions with a start date of 22nd September for induction with the University of Nottingham. There will be a service induction prior to this which begins on 15th September 2025.

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 may 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.

How we support you:

Close liaison with the University and the workplace -During your training you will receive weekly supervision by both the workplace and by the University.

Hybrid working -Your days working in the service will be a combination of remote working and face to face clinics in one of the LLR or Derby offices for part of the week. This may include one late shift per week. University days will be hybrid training with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching.

Preceptorship Period Post-Training -Following successful completion of training, newly qualified therapists are offered a six-month preceptorship period. The preceptorship package provides opportunity to consolidate knowledge and build confidence through reflective learning with an allocated mentor.

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 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 be able to complete a KSA portfolio by 31st August 2025.

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

Essential Requirements:

• 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/IAPT services.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets are in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.

Desirable Requirements:

• Evidence of foundation level or sustained CPD in CBT.

Other Requirements:

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held in July. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role and attend service induction on 15th September 2025.Following this, the first day of training with the University of Nottingham will be on 22nd September 2025. All essential equipment will be provided.
• For those successful candidates completing a KSA, you will need to have these fully completed by 31st August. For further guidance on how to complete the KSA please email us at [e-mail].
• 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.

Why Vita Health Group?

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 UKs 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.

This is also recognised by current employees our most recent Employee Survey results showed the top 5 reasons to work here as being:

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

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/

Vita Health Group is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and is seeking to improve the diversity of its workforce. We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion best practice and positively encourage applications from candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/belief, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity. For further information on our EDI commitments please view here: Vita Health Groups commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

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.

Any data which you share with us throughout the hiring process will be stored securely within the UK and is accessible only by staff who require it. Should your application be unsuccessful, your data will be securely destroyed after 6 months.

Vita Health Group reserves the right to close this job when sufficient applications have been received.

Person Specification General Requirements Essential

• Please refer to job description above

Desirable

• Please refer to job description above

Person Specification General Requirements Essential

• Please refer to job description above

Desirable

• Please refer to job description above

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Additional information Disclosure and Barring Service Check

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

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).

Employer details Employer name

Vita Health Group

Address

Derby

Derby

DE1 1BS

Employer's website

https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

Vita Health Group

Address

Derby

Derby

DE1 1BS

Employer's website

https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)