Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Join us as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) Trainee in the TALKWORKS service in March 2026. Gain high quality training and work in a service delivering evidence based, Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for those with common mental health problems. We are a high performing NHS Talking Therapies service in England, with an award winning long term health conditions team.

We are looking for enthusiastic trainees with a commitment to our local communities. Our teams cover Exeter, Torbay, Newton Abbot, Barnstaple, Tiverton, Tavistock, Ivybridge, Cullompton and Bideford. Your preferred location will be discussed during the interview.

The posts are permanent, starting at a Band 4 salary rising to Band 5 upon qualification. Please note, posts are competitive, there is a cap on the number of applications that we can process. The advert will be live for a week; however, if a high volume of applications are received, the post will close early.

As part of the interview process, there will be a compulsory in person interview day on Wednesday 19th November and if shortlisted, one to one interviews will be held remotely on 26th November. Successful candidates are required to attend an interview with the University of Exeter to confirm their academic eligibility.

Main duties of the job

This is a training role within NHS Talking Therapies services. You will work within the service providing high volume low intensity interventions whilst undertaking a programme of training for this role. The training post will equip you to assess patients and provide a range of CBT based self-management interventions to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression.

Structure: These are full time clinical training posts, Monday to Friday 9-5. Two days per week are used for taught and self-study days required by the education provider, as specified within National Low Intensity curriculum. Three days per week are dedicated to clinic work where you will be actively in office, shadowing colleagues, learning how our professional NHS service operates and beginning to pick up your own clinical caseload using your newly developed skills.

We welcome applications from positive and motivated individuals who contribute to our supportive team systems, in our offices, across our Devon clinics and remotely. You will be thoroughly supported on your journey to becoming a PWP by supervision, tutors and mentors. Once qualified, our PWPs are required to join the BABCP or BPS as registered practitioners, which enables you access to continued professional development and other benefits.

After qualifying, you will be enrolled on our pioneering Preceptorship Programme developing your skills as an advanced clinician and finding your own unique style of therapy. The post holder should be committed to equality, diversity and inclusion.

About us

We provide mental health, learning disability and neurodiversity services, as well as a range of specialist and secure services for the wider south west region and nationally. We are passionate about promoting good mental health and wellbeing. We strive to use the expertise and resources within our organisation, and through our partnerships, to deliver high quality services that are safe and focused on people’s recovery.

We are committed to developing a culture of coproduction, involving patients, families and carers in everything we do.

Our values

We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who possess and demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trust's core values. These include such attributes as showing a commitment to quality of care, improving lives of others, giving respect, dignity and compassion. We can bring those values to life in our everyday tasks by giving a smile, making time for people, challenging ourselves and others, and being open to new ideas.

We are committed to being an inclusive employer and applications are encouraged and welcomed from all sections of the community, regardless of any protected characteristics as governed by the Equality Act 2010. Part time and flexible working applications will be considered and supported, where possible. We particularly encourage applicants with lived experience of mental health conditions, neurodiversity or learning disabilities. We are a Disability Confident Leader.

Job responsibilities

Please refer to the full Job Description and Person specification attached to this advert which will provide further information on this role.

Person Specification

Please state which team(s) you are applying for: Exeter City, Exeter Outer, East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge, South Hams and West Devon, Torquay, Paignton, Taw, Torridge, Talking Health.

Qualifications

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification. Describe how you are able to demonstrate meeting the Qualification, Training and Other criteria for this role. Please outline your highest level of qualification attained.

Experience

Please refer to the attached Job Description and Person Specification. Describe how you are able to demonstrate meeting the Knowledge, Experience and Skillset section criteria for this role. Working in a primary care mental health service, the PWP role is a challenging one. Please describe why you feel you are ready for and the right fit for this role. What is ONE aspect of the PWP role you think you may find the most challenging?

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.

£26,530 to £29,114 a year. Band 5 on qualification and registration: £29,970 - £36,483. Contract: Permanent. Working pattern: Full-time.

Reference number: C9369-25-0745.

Job locations: Compass House, Exeter EX2 4TL; 109 Boutport Street, Barnstaple EX31 1TA; TALKWORKS, Petitor House, Riviera Park, Nicholson Rd.