Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Harmonia Careers; Twickenham; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health service provider is seeking a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner in Twickenham. This full-time role involves supporting individuals with mental health issues while receiving training through University College London. The position offers a competitive salary and a structured learning environment. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication skills and experience in psychological support.

Benefits

Fully funded training course fees

Flexibility in working hours

Qualifications

• Evidence of ability to study successfully at postgraduate level.
• Experience supporting people with psychological, interpersonal, or social problems.

Responsibilities

• Accept referrals and assess individuals with mental health issues.
• Conduct patient-centered interviews and assess risk.
• Provide information on low-intensity treatments like guided self-help.

Skills

Strong written communication skills

Ability to support people with psychological issues

Postgraduate study ability

Education

Undergraduate or postgraduate degree in psychology or related field

Job description

Overview

Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. Training post within the NHS Talking Therapies programme. Training provided by University College London (UCL) and is full time. Trainees attend university one day a week and work for Richmond Talking Therapies the remaining 4 days a week. Training course fees are fully funded by the NHS. Salary from the Richmond Talking Therapies service during the 4‑day placement. It is a course condition that all students remain employed by an NHS Talking Therapies employer for the duration of the programme. Based in Twickenham with some home-based work. The role is located with Richmond Borough Mind and partners (RB Mind, South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust).

Job details include Band 4, 32,199 per year, fixed term for 1 year, full-time with flexible working options. Referrals location: Richmond Wellbeing Service, Oak Lane, Twickenham, TW1 3PA.

Responsibilities

• Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service.
• Assess and support people with common mental health problems in self‑management of their recovery.
• Conduct patient-centered interviews to identify areas of change or recovery and assess risk to self and others.
• Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, refer unsuitable clients to the relevant service or escalate to high‑intensity psychological therapy as needed.
• Provide information and support for high‑volume low‑intensity treatments (e.g., guided self‑help, computerised CBT); this may be face‑to‑face, via telephone or other media.
• Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary.
• Adhere to an activity contract to manage client contacts and clinical sessions to minimise waiting times.
• Attend multi‑disciplinary meetings as appropriate.
• Complete data collection and maintain coherent records in line with service protocols and use data to inform clinical decisions.
• Work with team to ensure appropriate step‑up/step‑down within a stepped care model.
• Assess and integrate work and employment issues into the therapy process.
• Operate from an inclusive values base that promotes recovery and respects diversity.

Training and Supervision

• Attend and fulfil all requirements of the training element (practical, academic, practice-based assessments).
• Apply learning from the training programme in practice.
• Receive supervision from educational providers to meet required standards.
• Prepare and present clinical information for patients to clinical case management supervisors for safe practice and governance commitments.
• Respond to supervision feedback and engage in personal development supervision to improve competences and practice.

Professional

• Maintain standards of practice and stay updated with health service guidelines.
• Protect client confidentiality at all times.
• Keep up to date with advances in treatment for common mental health problems.
• Set clear objectives with senior therapists as part of ongoing professional development.
• Participate in performance reviews and maintain CPD records and development plans.
• Attend relevant conferences/workshops aligned with professional objectives.

General

• Contribute to best practice development within the service.
• Maintain knowledge of legislation and policies related to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.
• Maintain health and safety responsibilities for self, colleagues, patients and public.
• Ensure data protection and information security for patients and staff.
• Not misuse official position for personal gain; this job description may be reviewed with service development needs.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential

• Evidence of ability to study successfully at postgraduate level (e.g., through degree-level education or demonstrated academic equivalence).
• Evidence of experience in an employed or formal volunteer role supporting people with psychological, interpersonal or social problems; strong written communication skills.

Desirable

• Experience with people who have experienced a mental health problem; experience in Primary Care Services; ability to manage own caseload and meet targets; undergraduate or postgraduate degree in psychology or related health/social science field; professional training in nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy.

Disclosure and DBS

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a Disclosure to be submitted to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).