Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
This is youropportunity to develop your skills to improve the lives of people withinSurrey. We are looking for up to 3 hardworking, caring and committedTrainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners to join our team.
Successful applicants will start the courseby attending the Universityof Reading two days per week (a hybrid of online and face-to-face teachingdays) and will have a number of self-guided studydays. The remaining days are spent in-service completing client work. As thecourse progresses, trainees work towards five days a week in service.
The post-holder will work withinthe DHC Talking Therapies Step 2 Team, conducting assessments andproviding high-volume, low-intensity CBT interventions to clients with mild to moderate anxietyand depression via face-to-face, telephone and video, as well asworkshops and CBT.
Following successful completion of your training, you will receive a Postgraduate or Undergraduatecertificate of Advance Practice in Psychological Wellbeing and will be able towork as a qualified
PWP. You will also be able to apply for PWP registrationwith the BABCP or BPS. You will be unable toapply for another HEE-funded course until you are two years'post-qualification.
The role is likely to startaround 9th February 2026. Interviews will be held between 18th and 21stNovember 2025. Representatives from DHC Talking Therapies and ReadingUniversity will be present.
Main duties of the job
We would like to hear from you if you are able to demonstrate the following:
* Evidence of working with peoplewho have suffered from a mental healthproblem, or any otherhealth and social care needs
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to work collaboratively
* Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in your own personaland professional development and in supervision
* Drive to develop your knowledge and skills and build upon your careexperiences
* Ability to manage your own workloadunder pressure and at a fast pace, and meet agreedtargets
* Ability to work a combination of remote days (from home) and travelfor on-site days (from a hub location: Redhill, Oxted, Dorking,Epsom, Guildford, Woking, Weybridge)
* Enthusiasmand commitment to supporting the mental healthwellbeing of Surreyresidents in our catchment area and work as a dependable team member
Applicationsare open for those with or without an undergraduate degree, but applicants willneed a minimum of 3 A-Levels(or equivalent) and relevant experience workingin a health care role. Applicants will be keen to pursue acareer in the treatment of common mental health concerns. Please note that applicants without a degreewill have to provide evidenceof prior learningto the University of Reading to demonstratethat they are able to meet the academic demands of the course.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy is we receive sufficient number of suitable candidates.
About us
DHCis a GP Federation dedicated to supporting general practice in Surrey byproviding high-quality healthcare. By working together, we develop healthservices that help our patients stay well, are efficient and meet the needs ofour local stakeholders. We place people at the centre of everything we do. Weprovide a wide range of quality healthcare services, including elective care,Talking Therapies, and community healthcare, which we integrate and coordinatewith primary care. We are registered with the CQC (Care Quality Commission) and an accredited AQP (Any Qualified Provider). DHC is working at the centre of the local health system and Neighbourhoods to evolve and deliver integratedcare that requires strong partnerships with many organisations. In all of ourservices, we aim to put the patient at the centre of their care, make sure ourservices are easy to access by local patients and reduce waiting times forpatients. We are well placed to influence the wider system in making goodchoices for our population.
* 27 to 33 days Annual Leave plus bank holidays(dependent on NHS-related experience)
* Opportunity to buy or sell annualleave days
* Opportunities for training and career development
* Membership of the NHS pension scheme
* A mix of virtualand on-site work, with the potential for flexible workinghours
Job responsibilities
We have a strongworking relationship with the training providerUniversity of Reading,with whom we have worked for our previous cohort ofTrainee PWPs.
JOB SUMMARY
This is a trainingrole within the Talking Therapies service(previously IAPT). The post-holder will work within DHC Talking Therapies, providing high-volume low-intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. The training post will equip the post holder to provide a range of low-intensityCognitive Behavioural Therapy(CBT) based self-management interventions to clients with mild to moderateanxiety and depression relateddifficulties. The post holder will attend all taught and self-study daysrequired by the education provider, as specifiedwithin the National Low Intensity curriculumand work in the service for the remaining days of the week usingtheir newly developed skills. The post holder will work with people fromdifferent cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary andshould be committed to equal opportunities.The post holder will be working remotely (from home) and on-site(from one of our hub locations: Oxted, Dorking, Epsom,Guildford, Woking, Walton-on-Thames). The post-holder will work a minimum of 2days a week on-site.
The post-holder must beavailable to start the week commencing the 9thFebruary 2026.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST
1. CLINICAL
1.1. Undertake patient-centred assessments which identify areaswhere the person wishes to see change and or recovery, and usingsupervision, make an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.
1.2. Support clients in accessing appropriate services across the care pathway.
1.3. Provide a range of information and support for evidence-basedhigh-volume low-intensity psychological treatments. This may include guidedself-help, computerised CBT, group work, information about pharmacological treatments. This work maybe face-to-face, telephone or via other media.
1.4. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the overall number of clientcontacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out perweek in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remainsaccessible and convenient.
1.5. Accurate data collection, including coherent records of allclinical activity in line withservice protocols andrequirements.
1.6. Work closely withother members of the team,ensuring appropriate step-upand step-down arrangementsare in place to maintain a stepped care approach.
1.7. Assess and integrate issues surroundingwork and employment into the overall therapy process. To work alongside the embedded employment supportservice to provide collaborative care and appropriate signpostingopportunities.
1.8. Operate at alltimes from an inclusive valuesbase which promotes recovery and recognises and respects diversity.
1.9. To work at leastone late shift per week(12pm 8pm) to provide accessible treatment to clients.
1.10.To use the serviceGovernance reporting systemin line withservice policy to ensure safe practice and support team learning.
1.11.Any other reasonable taskas directed.
2. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION
2.1. Attend and fulfilall the requirements of the training element of the post including practical, academicand practice-based assessments, and apply learning from the trainingprogramme into practice.
2.2. Prepare and presentclinical information for allpatients on theircaseload to clinical case managementsupervisors within the service on an agreed and scheduled basis, in order toensure safe practice and the clinical governance obligations of the worker,supervisor and service are delivered.
2.3. Prepare for and attend regular clinical skills practice.
2.4. Respond to andimplement supervision suggestions by supervisors in clinical practice.
2.5. Engage in andrespond to personal development supervision to improve competences and clinical practice.
2.6. Attend and engagein line management supervision on a monthly basis and set goals for development.
3. WORK SETTING AND REVIEW
3.1. To manage own workload efficiently and effectively on a dailybasis. Maintain confidentiality atall times. Make decisions pertaining to the smooth and efficient running of DHC, actingindependently but, where necessary, referring problems to managementor the appropriate external agency via thequickest route possible.
3.2. Be able to work with a degreeof autonomy but be awareof boundaries andseek support as appropriate.
3.3. Work with a continuous improvement mindset.
3.4. Be aware of and keepup to datewith advances in the rangeof treatments for commonmental health problems.
3.5. Ensure clear objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basisas part of continuing professional development.
3.6. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.
3.7. Keep up to date with all records in relation to ContinuousProfessional Development and ensure the personal development plan maintains up-to-date specialist knowledge of the latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.
3.8. Attend relevant conferences/workshops in line withidentified professional objectives.
3.9. To be flexible to travel to different locations of work (in hub or community settings) to provideaccessible locations for all clients in Surrey and ensurethat professionalism and goodworking relationships are maintained with these venues.
3.10. To comply with servicedress code policy.
3.11. To comply with the service's social media policies.
4. INDIVIDUAL RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1. Adhere to DHCpolicies and procedures and relevant legislation, including the requirements of any professionalbodies attend mandatory training as identified by the DHC.
4.2. Ensure mandatory training is up-to-date at all times.
4.3. Contribute to ongoingprojects as required.
4.4. All employees havea duty and responsibility for their own health andsafety and the health and safety of colleagues, patients andthe general public.
4.5. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and localpolicies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and PrimaryCare Services.
4.6. All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation toensure that information processed for bothpatients and staffis kept accurate, confidential, secure and in linewith the DataProtection Act (1998) andSecurity and Confidentiality Policies.
4.7. It is the responsibility of all staffthat they do not abusetheir official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of furtherprivate business or otherinterests in the course of theirofficial duties.
5. CONFIDENTIALITY
5.1. The post holdermust maintain the confidentiality of information aboutpatients, staff andDHC
business in accordance withthe Data Protection Act 2018 and Caldicottprinciples.
This job descriptionrepresents an outline of the responsibilities of the post and is not intendedto be an exhaustive list of duties or tasks. It will changeand develop in line with organisational needsand may be amended following consultation withthe post-holder.
Person Specification
Qualifications
* -Undergraduate route:
* Level 4 qualifications 120 FHEQ credits e.g. Certificate of higher education, Level 4 diplomas, Level 4 NVQs.
* An academic essay will be required to demonstrate the ability to study at an undergraduate level and apply for recognition of prior experience. Please contact us for more details.
* Degree or a Master's degree, or a postgraduate certificate.
* Degree, Level 6 diploma, Level 6 NVQs. An academic essay will be required to demonstrate the ability to study at a postgraduate level.
* Training/knowledge in CBT low-intensity interventions.
* Qualifications and training in a healthcare field e.g. nursing, social work, occupational therapy, counselling or within a psychological therapy.
* A psychology or other health-related undergraduate degree.
CANDIDATES MUST CLEARLY ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS. APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED IF THESE QUESTIONS ARE NOT CLEARLY ANSWERED.
* -Why do you want to be a trainee PWP? (Max 250 words).
* -What do you anticipate will be the challenges of the training year and what skills do you have to manage these? (Max 250 words).
* -Write about a time in which you have used skills such as empathy, warmth, effective communication/questioning, or normalising and what you learnt from this experience? (Max 250 words).
* -What experience and other attributes make you an ideal candidate for this role? E.g. training, personal qualities etc. (Max 250 words).
Experience
* Significant experience working in a caring/helping profession
* Understanding the processes of assessing peoples needs.
* Knowledge and understanding of common mental health problems.
* Capacity to work holistically with clients in a way that promotes recovery and respects diversity.
* Capacity to work effectively with high caseloads.
* Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.
* Experience of working with people who have experienced mental health challenges within mental health settings.
* Trained and experienced in carrying out risk assessments.
* Experience in delivering and treating clients with common mental health problems.
* An understanding of CBT guided self-help.
* Knowledge of medications used in anxiety and depression, and other common mental health problems.
* Experience meeting agreed targets and demonstrating positive clinical outcomes.
Training
* Able to attend a two-day per week course.
* Able to complete academic components of the course.
* Willingness to study and learn, and apply learning into practice.
* Experience of training or studying whilst simultaneously applying learning into practice.
Skills and abilities
* Demonstrates excellent IT skills, including Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.
* Demonstrates high standards in written and verbal communication, including telephone skills.
* Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
* Demonstrates compassion and motivation for a career supporting individuals struggling with their mental health.
* Ability to work as a reliable member of a team and foster good working relationships.
* Ability to write clear reports and letters.
* Ability to organise and prioritise when managing competing/ conflicting demands.
* Ability to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients.
* Ability and willingness to travel to locations in Surrey.
* Experience of working with electronic record systems in healthcare/caring settings.
* Experience of providing support through different formats e.g. face to face, video or telephone.
* Experience using clinical supervision to aid safe practice and skills development.
* Fluent in languages other than English.
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.
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