Apprentice Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner - Kent and Medway

Apprentice Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner - Kent and Medway

Have you got experience in a care setting? If so, the PWP role may offer you a great career development opportunity. We welcome applications from candidates who do not have a degree or who may not have recent study experience or qualifications, but who do have good experience in a caring capacity such as in a support, care or admin work role for example and who are interested in supporting patients with anxiety and depression in using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) self help.

Main duties of the job

If this applies to you, and you are successful at interview we have an apprenticeship scheme to help you become a qualified PWP. This will be a full time programme including academic study and practical exposure. The training is offered in conjunction with the University of Essex.

About us

Vita Health Group celebrates life. Improving lives physically and mentally drives everything we do. To find out more about Vita Health Group and the services we provide, please click here: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk

Job responsibilities

You don't need a degree to be a PWP!

Have you got experience in a care setting? If so, the PWP role may offer you a great career development opportunity. We welcome applications from candidates who do not have a degree or who may not have recent study experience or qualifications, but who do have good experience in a caring capacity such as in a support, care or admin work role for example and who are interested in supporting patients with anxiety and depression in using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) self help.

If this applies to you, and you are successful at interview we have an apprenticeship scheme to help you become a qualified PWP. This will be a full time programme including academic study and practical exposure. The training is offered in conjunction with the University of Essex.

Are you passionate about promoting meaningful and effective therapeutic experiences for clients and dedicated to this process both personally and professionally? Then we want to hear from you.

After completing the apprenticeship and becoming a qualified PWP, there may be an opportunity to apply for a permanent PWP post and contribute to an experienced and innovative service. Kent Talking Therapies offers a range of evidence-based psychological interventions using the stepped care approach for LI and HI including CBT, EMDR, interpersonal therapy, systemic therapy and psychodynamic therapy. The service has a range of workshops and groups for depression, anxiety, and panic, therefore offering the chance to develop group skills and work alongside colleagues to deliver innovative treatment programs.

Working for Kent Talking Therapies offers numerous opportunities for learning and development through strong team support and clinical supervision. Trainees will be offered weekly individual case management alongside group clinical skills supervision and fortnightly. The service provides CPD opportunities to all staff to help with further development which the service prides itself on with the strong internal progression and retention.

Working in the borough of Kent offers staff the opportunity to work with service users from a very diverse population and wide variety of cultural backgrounds who have mild to moderate depression, anxiety, OCD, LTC.

Kent Talking Therapies has a strong focus on staff wellbeing and with our wellbeing champions are continuously looking at new initiatives to promote wellbeing throughout the team.

Being part of Kent Talking Therapies will offer a range of experiences and allow trainee therapists to be part of an innovative, evolving service as well as offering a solid, supportive foundation to build clinical skills.

Please see details of course here: Certificate in Psychological Wellbeing Practice | Degree Partnerships | University of Exeter.

Getting to know you

• Evidence of study at level 5 and also Level 2 English and Maths (GCSE certificates or equivalent; at C grade/level 4 or above)
• At least 1 year paid or volunteer work in a mental health setting in a role directly supporting the mental health of others
• Evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients
• Evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent administrative and time management skills
• An awareness of and commitment to supporting and facilitating diversity and inclusion
• Knowledge and use of CBT techniques in the treatment of common mental health difficulties
• Experience of telephone working

Job description

Job responsibilities

You don't need a degree to be a PWP!

Have you got experience in a care setting? If so, the PWP role may offer you a great career development opportunity. We welcome applications from candidates who do not have a degree or who may not have recent study experience or qualifications, but who do have good experience in a caring capacity such as in a support, care or admin work role for example and who are interested in supporting patients with anxiety and depression in using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) self help.

If this applies to you, and you are successful at interview we have an apprenticeship scheme to help you become a qualified PWP. This will be a full time programme including academic study and practical exposure. The training is offered in conjunction with the University of Essex.

Are you passionate about promoting meaningful and effective therapeutic experiences for clients and dedicated to this process both personally and professionally? Then we want to hear from you.

After completing the apprenticeship and becoming a qualified PWP, there may be an opportunity to apply for a permanent PWP post and contribute to an experienced and innovative service. Kent Talking Therapies offers a range of evidence-based psychological interventions using the stepped care approach for LI and HI including CBT, EMDR, interpersonal therapy, systemic therapy and psychodynamic therapy. The service has a range of workshops and groups for depression, anxiety, and panic, therefore offering the chance to develop group skills and work alongside colleagues to deliver innovative treatment programs.

Working for Kent Talking Therapies offers numerous opportunities for learning and development through strong team support and clinical supervision. Trainees will be offered weekly individual case management alongside group clinical skills supervision and fortnightly. The service provides CPD opportunities to all staff to help with further development which the service prides itself on with the strong internal progression and retention.

Working in the borough of Kent offers staff the opportunity to work with service users from a very diverse population and wide variety of cultural backgrounds who have mild to moderate depression, anxiety, OCD, LTC.

Kent Talking Therapies has a strong focus on staff wellbeing and with our wellbeing champions are continuously looking at new initiatives to promote wellbeing throughout the team.

Being part of Kent Talking Therapies will offer a range of experiences and allow trainee therapists to be part of an innovative, evolving service as well as offering a solid, supportive foundation to build clinical skills.

Please see details of course here: Certificate in Psychological Wellbeing Practice | Degree Partnerships | University of Exeter.

Getting to know you

Essential:

• Evidence of study at level 5 and also Level 2 English and Maths (GCSE certificates or equivalent; at C grade/level 4 or above)
• At least 1 year paid or volunteer work in a mental health setting in a role directly supporting the mental health of others
• Evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients
• Evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Excellent administrative and time management skills
• An awareness of and commitment to supporting and facilitating diversity and inclusion

• Knowledge and use of CBT techniques in the treatment of common mental health difficulties
• Experience of telephone working

Applicants must submit a personal statement as part of their application, outlining the reasons for applying and summarising their relevant experience.

Please note:

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held between 06/01/25 17/01/25 (unfortunately no other dates will be available due to recruitment deadlines). If successful, you will be invited to a second interview with the university between: 20/01/25 22/01/25. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• The course starts on the 11/03/25, and the successful candidate would need to be in post by 03/03/25 in order to be inducted into the service, prior to starting the course. All essential equipment will be provided.
• A Disclosure and Barring check (DBS, formerly CRB) will be required by the service for appointment to post.
• Applicants who have completed an NHS-funded psychological professions training programme within the last two years are not eligible to apply.
• Only those with the right to work in the UK without restriction and eligible for Home Fee status can be recruited. These rules are set by the UK government and cannot be changed by individual universities or the NHS.

Vita Health Group celebrates life. Improving lives physically and mentally drives everything we do. Now part of Spire Healthcare Group plc we have been providing physical and mental health services for over 30 years. We work in partnership with the NHS, are engaged by insurers and some of the UKs largest corporate companies to support their workforce and provide a full range of physiotherapy services to private customers.

To achieve our mission of Making People Better, we recognise the importance of investing in our staff. We are an award-winning employer recently recognised nationally as Best Company to Work for at the Health and Wellbeing Awards 2024.

This is also recognised by current employees our most recent Employee Survey results showed the top 5 reasons to work here as being:

• Supportive team and management
• Positive work environment
• Wellbeing and mental health support
• Trust and respect
• Autonomy and flexibility

We are keen to progress your skills and enable career development and provide regular Continued Professional Development opportunities including secondments, management training, a mentoring scheme, apprenticeships and regular events and webinars across a range of clinical disciplines. In addition to a competitive salary, we also offer the opportunity of a flexible work life balance and a comprehensive benefits package which you can view here: https://www.vitahealthgroup.co.uk/join-us/careers

Vita Health Group is proud to be an equal opportunities employer and is seeking to improve the diversity of its workforce. We are committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion best practice and positively encourage applications from candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion/belief, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity. For further information on our EDI commitments please view here: Vita Health Groups commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are committed to being equitable and supporting the wellbeing of all employees.

• We are a Mindful Employer
• Our status as a Disability Confident Leader dedicated to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment process. All disabled candidates that meet the minimum essential criteria will be invited to interview.
• Our Ethnicity Matters Scheme where all applicants for senior roles (£40,000+) from a minority ethnic group that meet the essential criteria will be invited for interview.
• Our Gender Matters Scheme where all women applicants for senior roles (£60,000+) that meet the essential criteria will be invited to interview.
• Our sign up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
• Our status as a Menopause Friendly Committed employer.
• Our sign up to the Employer with Heart Charter.
• Our commitment to meet the standards outlined in the NHS Equality Delivery System (EDS). Workforce Race Equality Standard (WRES) and Workforce Disability Equality Standard (WDES).
• Access to health and wellbeing services for colleagues including Mental Health Advocates and an Employee Assistance Programme.
• An embedded speaking up culture facilitated by Freedom to Speak Up Guardians.
• Treating transgender individuals with dignity and recognising the potential complications that may arise when taking references. We encourage applicants to contact HR at hr@vhg.co.uk to discuss or amend how we manage reference requests.

Should you wish to discuss any adjustment or assistance you need in the application or interview process please contact recruitment@vhg.co.uk and we will facilitate.

Please note, all applicants must be legally entitled to accept and perform work in the UK and all positions are subject to a DBS check.

Any data which you share with us throughout the hiring process will be stored securely within the UK and is accessible only by staff who require it. Should your application be unsuccessful, your data will be securely destroyed after 6 months.

Vita Health Group reserves the right to close this job when sufficient applications have been received.

Person Specification

General Requirements

• Please refer to job description above
• Please refer to job description above

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.

Full-time,Flexible working,Home or remote working