Main area
Associate Psychological Practitioner
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Permanent
Hours
* Full time
* Part time
37.5 hours per week
Job ref
373-SMH2472
Site
Countess of Chester Health Park
Town
Chester
Salary
£31,049 - £37,796 per annum pro rata
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
14/10/2025 23:59
Job overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen to recruit to our Step 4 Primary Psychological Therapies Service working with adults of working age and older people for two band 5 associate psychological practitioners (we would also consider APP's currently undergoing mental health well-being practitioner training). The successful applicants will be expected to support qualified psychological practitioners in developing formulations and in the delivery of different evidence based psychological interventions (both group and individual). The role requires the ability to liaise clearly and effectively with client's, families, other professionals and to be able to support with audit/research projects.
The Step 4 Psychology Team is part of the stepped care model in Primary Care and is based in Chester and includes clinical and counselling psychologists. We have close working relationships and links with the other steps in the service and team locally. We are a supportive, enthusiastic team who work hard to meet client need and to help fellow colleagues achieve their potential.
Main duties of the job
* To support qualified psychological practitioners in the delivery of evidence based psychological interventions (both group and individuals) and be comfortable with co-facilitating group interventions. The post older would therefore be expected to manage a caseload which includes adults of working age and older adult clients.
* The ability to assess risk and create safety plans with clients and document accordingly is essential.
* To support clients with the opt in process for the service as required.
* To be both involved in the triage process and in communicating the outcome to clients.
* To communicate and liaise with clients, families, and other professionals verbally and in writing and must therefore be able to share complex and sensitive information clearly and concisely.
* To support with audit and research ongoing in the service, as well as helping with clinical administration tasks and database management as appropriate.
* You would be expected to attend team meetings and to contribute appropriately.
* The role requires attendance at weekly supervision sessions held with a clinical psychologist in accordance with professional practice guidelines and CWP policy.
* The post holders would attend CPD sessions as appropriate in line with service needs and personal development.
Working for our organisation
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership (CWP) provides health and care services for a population of over one million people, including mental health, learning disability, community physical health and all-age disability care, as well as the provision of three GP surgeries in Cheshire.
We employ around 4,500 staff across 73 sites and have services across Wirral and Cheshire, as well as Trafford, Warrington, Bolton, Halton, Liverpool and Stockport.
Our aim is to help improve the lives of everyone in our communities, adopting a compassionate, person-centred approach to everything we do. We are rated as Outstanding for Caring by the Care Quality Commission, with a Good rating overall.
As a Disability Confident Employer, Rainbow Badge Scheme member, Veteran Aware organisation and proud holder of the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Gold Award, CWP is committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible and developing a culture that values differences, and welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.
All new starters will commence in post on one fixed start date each month, in line with our Prepare to Care (P2C) induction programme date. P2C offers up to 3 weeks training to support you to meet the induction / initial training requirements of the role.
Whether you are just starting out in your career or looking to use your existing skills and experience in a new role, you'll find something to suit you at CWP.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Please download a copy of the job description (see 'documents to download' section below) for full details of the main responsibilities for this role.
At CWP, our recruitment selection processes are based on both competence (see person specification for details) and values.
CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust's Values in their everyday life and we use a values-based approach in our interviews, which explores not only what you do but how and why you do it.
Before applying, we encourage you to review the Trust's Values and think about how these align with your own personal values. The supporting information section in your application should reflect your understanding of the Trust's Values and associated behaviours and you should provide examples from your work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviours.
An applicant guide to help and support you through your recruitment journey can be accessed at the bottom of this page. Further help and support for completing your application can be accessed via our website. If you need any further guidance to help you complete your application, contact our recruitment team via email at: or by calling
If you have a disability that meets the definition set out in the Equality Act 2010, and you can show that you meet the 'essential' criteria described in the person specification for an available position, please answer 'YES' to the question: 'Do you wish to be considered under the Guaranteed Interview Scheme?'
Please inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.
The trust offers a Guaranteed Interview Scheme to any armed forces community applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post and encourages applications from armed forces reservists or cadet force adult volunteers.
Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £16 per year applies.
New entrants to the NHS will commence on the minimum of the scale stated above.
Applicants are advised to apply early as if a large number of applications are received for this post we reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to the advertised date.
Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
* A minimum of a second class honours degree or higher in psychology.
* Eligibility for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society.
* Successful completion of a postgraduate qualification in applied psychological practice] or equivalent (e.g. UCLan PG diploma)
Knowledge and Expertise
Essential criteria
* A good knowledge of lifespan psychology applied to health care
* An understanding of the needs and difficulties of people with psychological/mental health difficulties or other disabilities
* Able to undertake annual physical health checks
Desirable criteria
* An understanding of the clinical practice of psychological interventions
Experience
Essential criteria
* Experience of working with people with who experience difficulties with mental health and/or physical health
* To have worked as part of a team within a statutory or voluntary care setting.
Desirable criteria
* Experience in conducting research projects or service related audit.
* Experience of delivering training.
* Experience of group work.
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
Further details / informal visits contact
Name
Lisa Hulmes
Job title
Consultant Clinical Psychologist
Email address
Additional information
If you consider yourself Neurodivergent and need help to complete your application form, please contact
or telephone