About this role
Job summary
***Please note: the vacancy may close prior to the advertised closing date if a large volume of applications are received. ***
Interviews dates will be early July '26. University course will start Sept 2026. We will be unable to offer alternative interview dates.
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust (CPFT) is an established provider of the national programme for Talking Therapies. The service provides stepped care treatment for people with mild, moderate and severe common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.
An exciting opportunity has arisen for 9 Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs) to join NHS Cambridge and Peterborough Talking Therapies on a permanent contract at various bases across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
Locations will be decided based on Service need.
Main duties of the job
*This post requires a combination of office based and working from home days*
Trainees will be undertaking around 2 day per week at University for the duration of their training course, which will be at University of Essex. The remaining 3 days per week will be based at work undertaking a clinical caseload. Trainees will also be expected to attend work on days when University breaks.
This is a fantastic opportunity to gain a high level qualification in mental health and start of career in the Talking Therapies Programme.
Please note this post will rise to band 5 on successful completion of the training course and it will be expected you apply for accreditation as a PWP within three months of qualification.
About us
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust is a health and social care organisation dedicated to providing high quality care with compassion to improve the health and wellbeing of the people we care for, as well as supporting and empowering them to lead fulfilling lives.
Our clinical teams deliver a wide range of NHS services across inpatient, primary care and community settings, including children's, adult and older people's mental health, forensic and specialist mental health, learning disabilities, primary care and liaison psychiatry, substance misuse, social care, and research and development.
To achieve our goals, we recruit high calibre candidates who share our vision and values. As an equal opportunities' employer, we welcome applications from all sections of the community, particularly underrepresented groups including people with long term conditions and members of our ethnic minority and LGBTQ+ communities.
All appointments for new employees to CPFT are subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.
Please note we reserve the right to close adverts early should we receive sufficient applications.
Regrettably, we cannot offer sponsorship for all roles. If you apply for a post that does not attract sponsorship, your application will be withdrawn from the process.
For further information on CPFT, please visit our website at https://www.cpft.nhs.uk
Job description Job responsibilities
Please refer to the attached job description and person specification for full details of responsibilities.
To attend PWP training course in line with post requirements. Ensure clinical interventions are implemented in line with the latest NICEguidelines for psychological interventions. To work with team members to ensure that protocols and arrangements are in place and adhered to, so that clients are stepped up and down to and from the service as required. The post holder will be expected to contribute to the clinical activity of the service. This will involve holding a clinical caseload and working within NHS Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Talking Therapies standards. Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service. Assess and support people with a common mental health problem. Make decisions on the suitability of referrals adhering to the service protocols and guidelines. Please consider carefully reviewing both the job description and person specification before applying or contacting for further details.
Person Specification
Education / Qualifications Essential
A degree / registered qualification in health care in psychology, nursing, social work, allied health professional, i.e., a qualification that will confer eligibility for Higher Education Degree or MSc as a PWP.
Desirable
Degree in psychology Have knowledge / relevant experience in other therapy modalities that are relevant to practice as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (e.g. solution focussed therapy, supervision training)
Experience Essential
Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem and delivering step 2 interventions Experience of the application of psychological interventions in different contexts
Desirable
Experience of working in mental health services where multi disciplinary working was embraced as part of service delivery.
Knowledge & Understanding Essential
Demonstrates an understanding national NHS Talking Therapies and how it links to governmental objectives. Knowledge and practice of delivering step 2 interventions and stepped care procedures
Desirable
Awareness of the theory and practice of psychological therapies
Physical Requirements Essential
Sitting for prolonged periods Manage prolonged use of display screen equipment
Other Essential
Ability to work within a team fostering good working relationships Willingness to be flexible and adaptable
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.
Certificate of Sponsorship Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
UK Registration
Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website (opens in a new window).
Employer details Employer name Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust
Address Chesterton Medical Centre
Union Lane
Cambridge
CB4 1PX
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.cpft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)