NHS East Cheshire Talking Therapies – The Big Life Group – is a user led mental health charity that has developed considerable expertise in the field of primary care mental health.
The charity currently delivers a range of services including self help support groups, online CBT services, counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. The charity is funded by various NHS Trusts and works across the North West with the head office based in Hulme, Manchester.
Big Life is in the business of changing lives. We fight inequality by working with people and places to create opportunities and inspire change. Whatever service we deliver to help people to change their lives, we do things the Big Life Way.
Job responsibilities
Do you have compassion for others and would you like to support people with their mental health challenges?
Do you have excellent communication skills and able to work in a fast-paced environment?
Do you have the skills to to organise and prioritise your own busy workload whilst delivering excellent care?
If the answer is yes, we have opportunities to train as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) on a Level 6 degree apprenticeship for those without a degree in NHS East Cheshire Talking Therapies Service
PWPs are professionals who help people who are experiencing a range of difficulties such as stress, anxiety and low mood, including those related to employment difficulties and long-term conditions and they provide short-term low intensity CBT, evidence-based treatments in line with NICE guidance to help people make positive changes to improve their wellbeing and quality of life.
The PWP apprenticeship programme is a 15-month course delivered by Liverpool John Moores University. The course will start March 2025. 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 grade 4 and above, or equivalent qualification. This course is not suitable for those with a qualification above level 3 (I.e. above a-levels) degree/diploma/higher education certificates will not be shortlisted
Main duties of the job
The role is fast-paced, varied and a wide range of treatments are provided by the PWP, including telephone and online treatment on a one-to-one basis or in groups.
- Attend, engage with, and successfully complete a course of study through Liverpool John Moores University – this will require attending weekly lectures at the university
- Manage a caseload of clients, ensuring effective support and intervention delivery.
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to guide treatment planning and intervention strategies.
- Support community events to enhance outreach and engagement
- Support the wider team to deliver an effective and efficient service
- Promote the service, actively seeking opportunities to generate referrals and expand access to mental health support
This role is not remote and you will come to the office, attend university and work across east Cheshire. A car is not essential to the role but will be beneficial as you will need to make alternative travel arrangements.
Due to the volume of applications we cannot provide feedback on unsuccessful applications.
Once all applications have been shortlisted, applicants will receive an email to say if they have been successful/unsuccessful.
What we will offer you in return
- An annual salary of £26,530.
- A full time, fixed-term, contract for 15 months.
- A relaxed culture where you are expected to plan your own day, take breaks when you need them and enjoy your work.
- Ongoing personal and professional development through regular supervision.
- A supportive, flexible approach to managing staff health and wellbeing, including a wide range of perks, schemes and support.
Person Specification
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.
