Livewell Southwest

Trainee High Intensity CBT therapist

The closing date is 03 August 2025

Job summary

37.5 hours per week.

Salary: Band 6 throughout training, moving to Band 7 on successful accreditation with the BABCP.

We are excited to be offering an opportunity to train as a HI CBT therapist whilst working within the service. We are seeking highly motivated mental health professionals to join our CBT team at Plymouth NHS Talking Therapies.

The role is open to individuals with a BABCP recorded/registered Core profession (see https://babcp.com/core-professions/ e.g. MH Nursing, Social Work, Occupational Therapy, Psychologist, Arts therapy & accredited counsellors (MBACP).

Those without a registered Qualification can apply if you can evidence the KSA requirements of the BABCP https://babcp.com/core-professions/knowledge-skills-attitudes/ . The BABCP have now revised the KSA requirements for those registered with other professions enabling individuals to submit condensed KSAshttps://babcp.com/core-professions/knowledge-skills-attitudes/professions-eligible-for-a-condensed-portfolio/ The KSA Portfolio is required for submission at interview & shortlisted candidates will be sent instructions for how to submit.

Please note that we may close the job advertisement earlier than the specified deadline.

All staff are expected to be able and willing to work across a 7 day service.

This role may not be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route.

Main duties of the job

You will study part time with Exeter University (usually 2 days per week) & working 3 days per week in service providing CBT interventions to clients with common mental health disorders. There will also be 3 block weeks of training per term. This may require applicants to travel & stay over to accommodate this training.

As trainees the post will involve delivering High Intensity CBT assessments & CBT interventions in accordance with NICE guidance. The post-holder will be required to undertake regular supervision & in house CPD opportunities. Interviews will be spread across26/27/28 Augustin conjunction with Exeter University. If you are offered & accept an interview, you will be contacted to provide a brief statement in support of your application for the post of NHS Talking Therapies HI trainee with reference to the NHS Values in accordance with The NHS Constitution .If you need to submit your KSA portfolio please ensure it is completed ready to submit on the day of the interview. Successful candidates will need attend the HI Course Induction days on 1st & 2nd of December 2025.

Individuals who undertake this training or who have undertaken other NHS professional training (within 2 years) will normally be unable to access another NHS funded training (further guidance available https://www.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/mental-health/psychological-professions/funding-psychological-professions-training-programmes.

About us

Livewell Southwest is an independent, award-winning social enterprise delivering integrated health and social care services across Plymouth, South Hams, and West Devon, with specialist services in parts of Devon and Cornwall. Our teams work in community hospitals, GP practices, sports centres, and health hubs.

As an organisation with a strong social conscience we are guided by our values,kindness, respect, inclusivity, ambition, responsibility, and collaboration. We focus on transforming services to ensure sustainability, while empowering staff and those we serve.

We involve the people we care for, along with their families and carers, in shaping the care they receive, striving to deliver the right care at the right time and place. Centering our work on individual needs helps people lead healthy, independent lives.

We prioritise employees' development, offering protected CPD time, training pathways, leadership programs, and funding for qualifications like the Care Certificate and Nurse Training Scholarships. Our induction and preceptorship programs ensure a smooth transition into our organisation.

Livewell Southwest values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community, including those with armed forces experience, lived experience of mental health, neuro-diverse conditions and learning disabilities. If you need assistance or reasonable adjustments during the application process, contact the Recruiting Manager listed in the job advert.

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2025-SP-1085

Job locations

Plymouth Community Healthcare C I C

73 Exeter Street

Plymouth

PL4 0AH


Job description

Job responsibilities

1. CLINICAL

1.1. Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service

1.2. Assess clients for suitability for CBT. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe to be appropriate for a trainee therapists to refer to manager/supervisor for advice on how to manage the case.

1.3. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary.

1.4. Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.

1.5. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language, making reasonable adjustments as required, ie easy read literature, interpreter.

1.6. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

1.7. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

1.8. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

1.9. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols

1.10. Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

1.11. Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process

2. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

2.1. Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post.

2.2. Apply learning from the training programme in practice

2.3. Receive supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

3. PROFESSIONAL

3.1. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (eg BPS, UKCP, BABCP), and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

3.2. Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

3.3. Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of CBT

3.4. Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

3.5. Attend clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager.

3.6. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

3.7. Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

3.8. Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

3.9. Attend Mandatory training programme as indicated for post.

4. GENERAL

4.1. To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.

4.2. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.

4.3. All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.

4.4. All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

4.5. It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

4.6. To be familiar with and adhere to Sickness policy, Record Keeping Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, and others highlighted at induction.

4.7. This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.

Job description

Job responsibilities

1. CLINICAL

1.1. Accept referrals via agreed protocols within the service

1.2. Assess clients for suitability for CBT. Where the problems appear to be too complex or severe to be appropriate for a trainee therapists to refer to manager/supervisor for advice on how to manage the case.

1.3. Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the departments referral protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to the referral agent as necessary.

1.4. Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients.

1.5. Educate and involve family members and others in treatment as necessary, conveying CBT formulations with sensitivity in easily understood language, making reasonable adjustments as required, ie easy read literature, interpreter.

1.6. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

1.7. Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

1.8. Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service.

1.9. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols

1.10. Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

1.11. Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process

2. TRAINING AND SUPERVISION

2.1. Attend and fulfil all the requirements of the training element of the post.

2.2. Apply learning from the training programme in practice

2.3. Receive supervision from educational providers in relation to course work to meet the required standards.

3. PROFESSIONAL

3.1. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (eg BPS, UKCP, BABCP), and keep up to date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical Excellence).

3.2. Ensure that client confidentiality is protected at all times.

3.3. Be aware of, and keep up to date with advances in the spheres of CBT

3.4. Ensure clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with senior therapists on a regular basis as part of continuing professional development.

3.5. Attend clinical/managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with Manager.

3.6. Participate in individual performance review and respond to agreed objectives.

3.7. Keep up to date all records in relation to Continuous Professional Development and ensure personal development plan maintains up to date specialist knowledge of latest theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

3.8. Attend relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional objectives.

3.9. Attend Mandatory training programme as indicated for post.

4. GENERAL

4.1. To contribute to the development of best practice within the service.

4.2. To maintain up-to-date knowledge of legislation, national and local policies and procedures in relation to Mental Health and Primary Care Services.

4.3. All employees have a duty and responsibility for their own health and safety and the health of safety of colleagues, patients and the general public.

4.4. All employees have a responsibility and a legal obligation to ensure that information processed for both patients and staff is kept accurate, confidential, secure and in line with the Data Protection Act (1998) and Security and Confidentiality Policies.

4.5. It is the responsibility of all staff that they do not abuse their official position for personal gain, to seek advantage of further private business or other interests in the course of their official duties.

4.6. To be familiar with and adhere to Sickness policy, Record Keeping Policy, Dignity at Work Policy, and others highlighted at induction.

4.7. This Job Description does not provide an exhaustive list of duties and may be reviewed in conjunction with the post holder in light of service development.

Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
  • Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
  • Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
  • Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Talking Therapies KPIs

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
  • Able to use Electronic Record systems.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Has received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
  • Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
  • High level of enthusiasm and
  • Motivation.
  • Advanced communication skills
  • Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
  • Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
  • Applicants should show evidence of values that are consistent with the NHS constitution.
  • Applicants should demonstrate evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients
  • Applicants should show evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills

Desirable

  • Ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation
  • Fluent in languages other than English
  • Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting

Training

Essential

  • Availability to attend university as required, which will include up to four blocks of teaching of up to four days. Most teaching will be 2 days per week in conjunction with a minimum period
  • of high intensity CBT clinical practice per week
  • Able to complete academic components of the course
  • Able to integrate training into practice

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
  • Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets
  • Ability to manage own caseload and time
  • Demonstrates high standards in written communication
  • Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers

Desirable

  • Experience of working in Primary Care Services
  • Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
  • Able to use Electronic Record systems.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Has received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
  • Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
  • High level of enthusiasm and
  • Motivation.
  • Advanced communication skills
  • Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
  • Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
  • Applicants should show evidence of values that are consistent with the NHS constitution.
  • Applicants should demonstrate evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients
  • Applicants should show evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills

Desirable

  • Ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation
  • Fluent in languages other than English
  • Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting

Qualifications

Essential

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (e.g. psychology, neuroscience).
  • A recorded/registered qualification at graduate level in BABCP recognised Core Professions (see https://babcp.com/core-professions/ e.g. MH nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychologist, arts therapy.
  • OR
  • Evidence of meeting the Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP. Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners must have 2 years post qualification

Desirable

  • Experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.
Person Specification

Knowledge

Essential

  • Demonstrates an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care
  • Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health
  • Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems
  • Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post

Desirable

  • Knowledge of Talking Therapies KPIs

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
  • Able to use Electronic Record systems.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Has received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
  • Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
  • High level of enthusiasm and
  • Motivation.
  • Advanced communication skills
  • Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
  • Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
  • Applicants should show evidence of values that are consistent with the NHS constitution.
  • Applicants should demonstrate evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients
  • Applicants should show evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills

Desirable

  • Ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation
  • Fluent in languages other than English
  • Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting

Training

Essential

  • Availability to attend university as required, which will include up to four blocks of teaching of up to four days. Most teaching will be 2 days per week in conjunction with a minimum period
  • of high intensity CBT clinical practice per week
  • Able to complete academic components of the course
  • Able to integrate training into practice

Experience

Essential

  • Demonstrable experience of working in mental health services
  • Ability to meet agreed/specified service targets
  • Ability to manage own caseload and time
  • Demonstrates high standards in written communication
  • Able to write clear reports and letters to referrers

Desirable

  • Experience of working in Primary Care Services
  • Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes

Skills

Essential

  • Ability to evaluate and put in place the effect of training
  • Able to use Electronic Record systems.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills
  • Has received training (either formal of through experience) and carried out risk assessments within scope of practice
  • Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients
  • High level of enthusiasm and
  • Motivation.
  • Advanced communication skills
  • Ability to work within a team and foster good working relationships
  • Ability to use clinical supervision and personal development positively and effectively
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality
  • Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision
  • Applicants should show evidence of values that are consistent with the NHS constitution.
  • Applicants should demonstrate evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients
  • Applicants should show evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills

Desirable

  • Ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation
  • Fluent in languages other than English
  • Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting

Qualifications

Essential

  • Undergraduate degree or equivalent in a discipline connected to mental health (e.g. psychology, neuroscience).
  • A recorded/registered qualification at graduate level in BABCP recognised Core Professions (see https://babcp.com/core-professions/ e.g. MH nursing, social work, occupational therapy, psychologist, arts therapy.
  • OR
  • Evidence of meeting the Knowledge Skills and Attitude (KSA) requirements of BABCP. Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners must have 2 years post qualification

Desirable

  • Experience working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.

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).

Additional information

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).

Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

Plymouth Community Healthcare C I C

73 Exeter Street

Plymouth

PL4 0AH


Employer's website

https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer details

Employer name

Livewell Southwest

Address

Plymouth Community Healthcare C I C

73 Exeter Street

Plymouth

PL4 0AH


Employer's website

https://www.livewellsouthwest.co.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)


Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Clinical Team Manager

Justine Hall

livewell.plymouthoptions@nhs.net

01752435419

Details

Date posted

17 July 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 6

Salary

£38,682 to £46,580 a year pa, pro-rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible working

Reference number

B9832-2025-SP-1085

Job locations

Plymouth Community Healthcare C I C

73 Exeter Street

Plymouth

PL4 0AH


Supporting documents

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