Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Sunderland GP Alliance; South Shields; Hybrid; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust is offering a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner position. The post supports adults with common mental health problems within primary care, delivering high-volume low-intensity interventions as part of the Talking Therapies pathway.

The successful candidate will commence the Low Intensity Psychological Wellbeing Practice PG Cert at Teesside University in January 2027 and, on successful completion, will be upgraded to Band 5.

Qualifications

• Diploma in Health Education or Foundation Degree (as a prerequisite)
• Willingness to undertake PWP Training (Low Intensity Assessment and Intervention Skills Post Graduate Diploma) starting January 2027
• Experience of supporting adults with mental health needs
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Responsibilities

• Provide high-volume low-intensity interventions within primary care
• Work with adults with common mental health problems such as depression and anxiety
• Collaborate with partners to deliver joint interventions
• Engage in supervision and training as part of the trainee programme

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Therapeutic relationship

Clinical risk assessment

Education

Undergraduate degree in psychology/health

Postgraduate or foundation training in health therapies

Job description

Go back South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

The closing date is 20 October 2026

Do you want to join one of our innovative services which delivers high-quality assessments and treatments to people with common mental health problems?

Do you want to be part of a team described by its current staff as supportive, excellent, and amazing?

If the answer to these questions is yes, this post could be for you.

The successful candidate must be available to commence the Low Intensity Psychological Wellbeing Practice PG Cert at Teesside University January 2027

PWP Trainees will be expected to have

• A commitment to a holistic model of mental health and working with partners to address client need.
• Develop experience of working with people who experience mental health problems especially depression and anxiety.
• Develop skills in assessment and interventions for clients and consultation and supervision with primary care colleagues.

Main duties of the job

You must have:

• Diploma in Health Education or Foundation Degree.
• Willingness to undertake PWP Training (Low Intensity Assessment and Intervention Skills Post Graduate Diploma at Teesside Uni (due to commence January 2027).
• Experience of working to support the mental health needs of adults.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

On completion of the training, you will have:

• A Post Grad Certificate in Low Intensity Interventions.
• Skills in the delivery of relevant therapeutic interventions.
• Comprehensive mental health assessment skills.

Ability to offer advice to a broad range of professionals and work co-operatively to deliver joint interventions with a range of providers.

About us

One Team One Trust - There are many reasons to work at our Trust. From our commitment to putting people first to our accessible services and award winning teams. We have a passion for research, innovation and tackling inequalities. We are committed to respect, fairness and civility and promote a compassionate, caring and positive culture / working environment.

We welcome all applications irrespective of peoples race, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion/belief, age, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity and in particular those from under- represented groups. Looking after our workforces health and wellbeing is a priority for us. We also provide access to high quality education, training, career progression and support. Flexible working is supported via our Flexible Working Policy.

The Trust employs around 8,746 people and provides a range of hospital services to a local community of around 430,000 residents. We also provide a range of more specialised services outside this area. We offer our staff outstanding benefits - Fitness Centre (SRH), libraries at both hospital sites, chaplaincy support and access to a Care Co-ordinator to help staff with childcare arrangements.

Job responsibilities

The post holder(s) will be part of SouthTyneside Lifecycle Service, which incorporates Talking Therapies. They willwork with adults who have a range of common mental health problems in primarycare providing high volume low intensity interventions in a training capacity.They will use traditional and innovative treatment methods.

The post holder will work with peoplewith different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessaryand should be committed to equal opportunities.

To meet targets set nationally andlocally for access, recovery and waiting times in line with trainee PWPexpectations

Once qualified (verification agreed)the Trainee PWP post will be upgraded to a Band 5

Person Specification

Experience

• Evidence of working with Adults who have experienced a mental health problem
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes
• Evidence of managing own clinical caseload and time
• Experience of working in Primary Care Services
• Evidence of working in the local community

Qualifications

• Psychology or other health related undergraduate degree
• Training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy Psychology or other health related postgraduate degree
• Ability to evaluate and put in practice the skills and knowledge obtained through training
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including telephone skills
• Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
• Ability to undertake clinical risk assessments

Knowledge

• Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in PrimaryCare
• Demonstrates a good knowledge of the remit of Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post

Other Requirements

• High level of enthusiasm and motivation
• Advanced communication skills
• Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
• Ability to use clinical supervision to improve clinical care
• personal development positively and effectively
• Ability to work under pressure and manage thedemands of university and clinical caseload
• Positive regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
• Car driver and/or ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation

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.

Employer name

South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust

Address

Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre & Library

Cleadon Park Primary Care Centre & Library