Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Saarthy Travel Solutions; Cheltenham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits within a forward-thinking organization dedicated to mental health care. As a trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, you will gain invaluable skills in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) while supporting individuals facing common mental health challenges. This role combines academic training with practical experience, allowing you to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. Join a compassionate team committed to delivering high-quality care and enjoy a supportive work environment that values professional development. If you are organized, empathetic, and passionate about mental health, this is the perfect role for you.

Benefits

Free parking at many sites

27 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Training and development opportunities

Generous NHS pension

Flexible working options

Wellbeing support line

Discounts and salary sacrifice schemes

Qualifications

• Degree level or equivalent in psychology or social sciences required.
• Experience working with mental health issues is essential.

Responsibilities

• Learn and apply CBT theory in practice.
• Provide mental health treatment and conduct assessments.
• Facilitate psychoeducational courses.

Skills

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Computer Literacy

Education

Degree in Psychology or Social Sciences

Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 5

Job description

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust

About

At Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust (GHC), we provide joined-up mental health, physical health, and learning disability services to people of all ages across Gloucestershire. We run community hospitals and provide care and support in people's own homes and in a range of other locations across the county.

Key details

Location: Various sites - Stroud, Gloucester, Cinderford, or Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Postcode: GL50 4BW

Contract type & working pattern: Permanent. On successful completion of qualification, the post holder will move from Band 4 to Band 5, with expectations to obtain professional registration. Hours: Full-time - 37.5 hours per week, combining university and on-site service days.

Salary: £26,530 - £29,114 per annum (pro rata). Grade: Band 4.

Specialty: NHS Talking Therapies Gloucestershire

We love what we do and think you will, too!

We are committed to providing personalized care focused on what matters to individuals. Our team is passionate about supporting healthy and happy high-quality teams across Gloucestershire.

Our application process values personalized responses that highlight your skills, knowledge, and experience. We discourage over-reliance on AI-generated applications, as they may not effectively demonstrate your suitability for the role.

Job Overview

Are you a hardworking, empathetic, and caring individual interested in a career in mental health? An exciting opportunity is available within NHS Gloucestershire Talking Therapies. The ideal candidate is organized, diligent, and possesses good communication and interpersonal skills.

As a trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP), you will learn cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) skills to support people with common mental health issues like anxiety and depression. You will work in our clinical service while undertaking a Certificate in Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (LI-CBT) delivered by the University of Exeter, involving remote and in-person training in Bristol.

You will be supported with supervision and academic guidance, working in a collaborative and compassionate environment focused on delivering high-quality care.

You must be able to start the PWP training on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, including an induction on 1 September 2025.

Main responsibilities include:

• Learning and applying CBT theory in practice
• Providing mental health treatment
• Facilitating psychoeducational courses
• Conducting initial assessments
• Delivering one-to-one treatments
• Receiving clinical supervision

Most treatments are delivered via telephone and online, with some in-person sessions. You will work closely with GPs and primary care professionals to improve access and develop mental health resources.

Working for our organization

Our dedicated workforce of over 5,000 staff across 55 sites and in people's homes strives to create an inclusive, respectful, and supportive workplace. We regularly seek staff feedback through surveys, with high satisfaction scores indicating strong staff engagement and morale.

Our commitment is to be a Great Place to Work, with ongoing efforts to enhance staff experience and service quality.

Detailed Job Description and Main Responsibilities

Our service offers evidence-based psychological interventions, primarily using NICE-guideline-compliant CBT within a stepped care model. We value the skills and experiences of our staff and provide opportunities for professional development to ensure adherence to best practices.

Gloucestershire Health and Care NHS Foundation Trust is part of the NHS, committed to NHS principles and standards, and works closely with the community to tailor services to local needs.

Our 2023 staff survey results reflect a compassionate and inclusive culture, with high scores in staff engagement and morale. The trust employs over 100 therapists and emphasizes delivering high-quality care exceeding national standards.

The qualification, training, and experience requirements are detailed in the Job Description/Person Specification. Please refer to the Additional Information attachment before applying.

During the 12-month training, the role is office-based, with travel to Bristol and Exeter for in-person lectures. The position involves delivering both face-to-face and remote appointments from one of four bases. Flexible working arrangements are possible depending on service needs.

We will hold a webinar on 13 May at 12:00. To attend, please email the Lead PWP at [email protected] for details and a link. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an in-person interview in Stroud on 10, 11, or 12 June 2025. The application deadline is early, as the vacancy may close once sufficient applications are received.

Additional benefits include:

• Free parking at many sites
• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with service length
• Training and development opportunities, including apprenticeships up to Level 7
• Preceptorship programs for newly qualified and returning practitioners
• Generous NHS pension and enhanced pay for unsocial hours
• Flexible and family-friendly working options
• Recognition and long service awards
• Fast Track physiotherapy
• Wellbeing support line
• Discounts and salary sacrifice schemes (Cycle to Work, travel, leisure, retail)

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as the vacancy may close once sufficient applications are received.

Applicant requirements

This role is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) 2020, requiring a Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Person Specification

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree level or equivalent in psychology, social sciences, health, or evidence of successful study at undergraduate level / Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 5

Desirable: Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy, or psychological therapy; experience with risk assessments within scope of practice.

Experience

• Essential: Significant experience working with individuals experiencing mental health issues; understanding of anxiety and depression in primary care.

Desirable: Experience in primary care services; working in services with clinical outcome targets.

Personal Skills, Abilities, and Attributes

• Excellent communication skills, including on the phone
• Computer literacy
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Openness to learning new skills and knowledge

Other Requirements

• Full driving license and own transport
• Desirable: Fluency in other languages