Apprentice Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Do you have compassion for others and work well with people? Would you like to support people with their mental health challenges? Perhaps you have experience of working in a mental health setting or your own lived experience of mental health? Do you have excellent communication skills and able to work in a fast-paced environment, there are opportunities to train as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP) on a Level 6 degree apprenticeship for individuals without a degree in Central Cheshire Talking Therapies Service (formerly IAPT) - covering the Crewe and Winsford areas.

PWPs help people who are experiencing a range of difficulties such as stress, anxiety and low mood, including those related to relationships and employment provide short-term, evidence-based treatments in line with NICE guidance to help people make positive changes to improve their wellbeing and quality of life.

The role is fast-paced, varied and constantly evolving to meet new guidance and evidence- based treatments. A wide range of treatments are provided by the PWP, including telephone and online treatment on a one-to-one basis or in groups.

The PWP role is integral to Talking Therapies service and offers opportunities to work with specific groups such as older adults, perinatal mental health, working with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities or supporting people who manage a long-term health condition such as diabetes.

The PWP apprenticeship programme is a 15-month course delivered by Liverpool John Moore’s University. The course will start October 2023. The programme combines academic and work-based learning. Successful applicants will need to demonstrate commitment to the academic requirements of the course and assessments.

It is a programme requirement that apprentices must provide evidence of achievement of GCSE Math's and English grade C or above or grade 4 and above, or equivalent qualification. Qualifications. This course is not appropriate for graduates.

Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (CWP) supports thousands of vulnerable people across Cheshire and Merseyside. We provide physical, mental health and learning disability services to a total population of around one million people.

We offer a variety of roles at all levels, so whether you are just starting out in your career or you are looking to use your skills and experience in a new role, CWP is the right employer for you.

Visit our ‘Working for us’ pages on our website to find out more about why you should choose CWP.

CWP are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

We welcome applications from people who have direct experience of accessing our services.

Please download a copy of the job description for a full copy.

Recruitment selection processes are based on competence (see Person specification) and values.

To ensure that we continue to provide ‘Outstanding for Care’ (as recently been awarded by CQC), CWP recruits people that can demonstrate the Trust’s Values and Behaviours in their everyday life. Therefore, if you are invited to interview, you will be undertaking a Values Based Interview/Assessment, 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 Behaviours which are ‘the 6 Cs’ Communication, Competence, Courage, Care, Compassion and Commitment. A ‘Guide to completing your application form’ can be accessed on the right side of this page under the job description.

The Supporting Information Section in your application should therefore reflect your understanding of the Trust’s Values and associated Behaviours. You will be expected to provide us with examples from work experience and/or personal life which demonstrate these values through your behaviour.

If your disability 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 also inform the team if you have any special support needs to be considered as part of the interview and selection processes.

All new clinical support staff will be required to have completed or working towards the Care Certificate (CWP In-house 2 day training to be completed within 6 months of start date).

Please note applicants will be required to pay for their DBS check. Costs are deducted from salary following appointment. Please note that DBS costs will be waived for applicants who are being recruited for COVID-19 reasons.

You are encouraged to enrol for the DBS Update Service. A small annual fee of £13 per year applies. Please see attached “Update Service Applicant Guide” document for further information.

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.

If you experience any technical difficulties or need help when making an application, please contact our Recruitment Team on 01244 393100 and quote the vacancy reference number.

Good luck with your application. We hope to welcome you to Team CWP very soon.