Trainee High Intensity Therapist - Kent and Medway

Job description

Job responsibilities

Hello! We are Vita Health Group we are one of the lead providers of NHS Talking Therapies services within the South West, North East, Midlands and South East.

We have a company-wide focus on staff wellbeing, a flexible and creative approach to work and a real culture of openness and support. We love to see our colleagues thrive and achieve their personal goals, so we place a real emphasis on quality supervision, rich continuous professional development (CPD) and encouraging our Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to embrace specialist training and leadership opportunities.

The Role:

We are looking for aspiring Cognitive Behavioural Therapists to join our NHS Kent and Medway Talking Therapies service as Trainee High Intensity Therapists (HITs) in the January 2026 cohort at Canterbury Christ Church University. The course is offered on a full time basis, over one year, details of which can be found on the link below.

https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/study-here/courses/postgraduate/cognitive-behaviour-therapy-high-intensity?year=march-2024&modeRef=0#courseOverview

Whilst training, a typical working week includes 3 days of clinical practice with the service and 2 days attending university. University days are likely to be a hybrid training approach with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching in Tunbridge Wells. Full details of the course will be provided by the University following successful appointment. Whilst your clinical practice will include some remote working, you will be expected to attend our clinics for part of the week, including one late shift from 12:00-8:00pm.

This is a training position with a start date of 19th January for induction with Vita Health Group and 2nd February for university teaching. Upon successful completion of the course you will be offered a permanent High Intensity Therapist role within VHG, however we cannot guarantee it will be in the current service area.

Preceptorship Period Post-Training

We think it is important that our trainees get continued time and space to learn their craft and have the time to be able to reflect on their cases and build their clinical confidence. After the training is complete, we will continue to support you to consolidate your learning. Following successful completion of the course, all of our practitioners have built in CPD per annum, additional regular CPD sessions and free access to a Bespoke CPD package.

Getting to know You:

Applications are welcomed from Core Professionals (E.g., Mental Health nurses, occupational therapists, social workers, health psychologists, educational psychologists) and Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners.

Applicants without a BABCP recognised and accredited core mental health professional training such as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners or Psychotherapists and Counsellors (without appropriate accreditation including UKCP, BACP, and others) are eligible to apply but must be able to submit a completed KSA portfolio (see link) upon interview.

For more information about Core Professions:https://www.babcp.com/Core-Professions

For more information about the KSA requirements:https://www.babcp.com/Knowledge-Skills-Attitudes

Essential Requirements:

• Core Professional training or qualification, or able to demonstrate at interview that you meet the KSA requirements set by the BABCP.
• Demonstrate the equivalent relevant experience of a core profession by having at least 300 hours direct client experience working in mental health or can demonstrate you have the knowledge and skills to meet the criteria of the BABCP KSA Portfolio.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in any subject OR provide evidence of ability to study successfully at Postgraduate level.
• Membership of the BABCP (from the time that the course commences).
• Availability to attend university as required, which will include up to nine blocks of teaching of up to four days. Teaching will be a mixture of face to face and remote.
• Ability to work from home when required (minimum 10mb download speed required).

Other Requirements:

• Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews on 20th, 21st, 22nd and 27th October. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams. The interview will include a university representative along with representatives from Vita Health Group. There will be a roleplay activity which is provided at the interview.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role on19th January 2026 for service induction. 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 or HEE 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.

Canterbury Christ Church University

The Salomons Centre for Applied Psychology, at Canterbury Christ Church University, has a long history of, and international reputation for, applied training and research. It is located in fully refurbished premises in the centre of Royal Tunbridge Wells.

https://www.canterbury.ac.uk/about-us/contact-information-and-locations/locations-and-maps/salomons-institute-maps-and-directions

PGDip in Psychological Therapies: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy

This programme is training people already in a career within the NHS or NHS Talking Therapies service. It will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop your competencies and knowledge associated with practice as a Practitioner. A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development.

For candidates that require a KSA portfolio, there will be an open evening held by Canterbury Christ Church University from 5.30pm on Monday 1st September. You must have your KSA fully completed by interview. For further details please contact Mel Saunders at mel.saunders@canterbury.ac.uk

There will be an online open evening about the role and working for Vita Health Group on Monday 18th August.If you would like to attend please book your place using the following link:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/vita-health-groups-trainee-high-intensity-cbt-therapist-open-event-kent-tickets-1510100514289?aff=oddtdtcreator

Why Vita Health Group?

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.

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.

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 considered for 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 considered for interview.
• Our Gender Matters Scheme where all women applicants for senior roles (£60,000+) that meet the essential criteria will be considered for 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

Essential

• Please refer to job description above

Desirable

• 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.

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

Vita Health Group

Address

Kent and Medway

DA12 1AU

Employer's website

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