Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Role overview

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust is hiring qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners for permanent positions within Hillingdon Talking Therapies. Applications are welcomed from candidates who already hold BABCP/BPS accreditation as a qualified PWP, as well as those who have completed the application process and are waiting for their accreditation to be confirmed.

This is an opportunity to join a large, established NHS talking therapies service in a diverse part of Hillingdon with strong public transport connections. The service delivers both low- and high-intensity care across Step 2 and Step 3, including CBT and counselling-based approaches.

The team is seeking motivated practitioners who communicate well, work comfortably across different communities, and bring enthusiasm for primary care. Candidates with language skills beyond English and experience supporting diverse populations are especially encouraged to apply.

The service supports a blended working model with both face-to-face and remote appointments, along with flexible hybrid working. Staff receive regular supervision, appraisals, and development opportunities.

Main purpose of the role

You will work within a stepped-care framework, carrying out assessments and delivering evidence-based low-intensity interventions for people experiencing common mental health difficulties. Work may be completed through digital platforms such as Teams, in person, or over the telephone.

The role also includes delivering psychoeducational workshops and contributing to community-based engagement. You will help build relationships with voluntary organisations and local partners to promote the service.

You will be supported through regular clinical supervision from a qualified therapist and will collaborate closely with colleagues across the clinical team. The service has strong links with other Talking Therapies teams across CNWL and with wider mental health services in Hillingdon. Staff development and progression into higher training are actively supported.

Working arrangement

The team hub is located at Beaufort House, Cricket Field Road, Uxbridge, with good transport access. The service covers the London Borough of Hillingdon.

The team has a strong track record of meeting access and recovery targets and also contributes to service improvement work to respond to changing local needs. Clear processes are in place for referral triage, screening, client allocation to Step 2 and Step 3, waiting list management, and stepping clients up or down when needed.

The organisation follows an agile working approach, combining home-based work with on-site attendance for face-to-face appointments and other hub-based responsibilities. This is a full-time post, and working hours may fall between 8am and 7pm on weekdays, including an evening clinic when required.

The service places high importance on wellbeing and values a collaborative, close-knit team culture. Patient-centred care is central to the way the team works, and the organisation is committed to supporting new employees to grow into future leaders.

Key responsibilities

• Receive referrals through service protocols and develop appropriate care plans.
• Carry out structured assessments of risk to self and others and act on risk concerns appropriately.
• Assess whether incoming referrals are suitable for the service, following referral pathways, and redirect unsuitable cases to the right service or back to the referring source when needed.
• Conduct patient-centred interviews to identify areas the person wants to change.
• Work with clients to decide on the most suitable low-intensity intervention for their needs and goals.
• Offer information and support linked to evidence-based, high-volume low-intensity psychological treatment.
• Deliver evidence-based low-intensity interventions, which may include guided self-help, group CBT-informed work, and information about medication options, either individually or in psychoeducational groups.
• Provide clinical support through face-to-face, telephone, or other media-based contact, depending on client preference.
• Involve family members and other relevant people in treatment where appropriate.
• Work to an agreed activity contract covering client contacts and weekly clinical sessions to keep waiting times low and treatment accessible.
• Track client progress and treatment outcomes, and feed back to the client, GP, and referrer as needed.
• Attend multidisciplinary meetings linked to referrals or current clients when required.
• Complete all required clinical and service data collection.
• Maintain clear, accurate clinical records in line with service standards and use outcome data to guide clinical decisions.
• Work collaboratively with the wider team to ensure effective step-up and step-down arrangements within the stepped-care pathway.
• Consider work and employment issues as part of the intervention plan.
• Work from an inclusive values base that supports recovery and respects diversity.
• Prepare and present client information in supervision to support safe practice and adherence to low-intensity treatment principles.
• Act on supervision feedback and recommendations in day-to-day clinical work.
• Take part in personal development supervision to strengthen clinical competence.
• Work independently and organise your own daily workload.
• Manage a caseload of clients with common mental health conditions and coordinate follow-up appointments.
• Handle complex and emotionally sensitive information for clients, carers, the public, and professionals with care and in line with Caldicott guidelines.
• Recognise personal and professional limits and avoid taking on more than can be managed safely.

Qualifications and experience

Applicants should hold a qualification as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner from a specialist BABCP-accredited training route, such as a postgraduate certificate or Level 3 undergraduate course. BABCP accreditation as a qualified PWP is required, or the applicant must be due to apply once training is completed.

Additional postgraduate study in psychology, health, social science, research design, or analysis is desirable.

Experience in Talking Therapies (IAPT) or primary care, and delivering low-intensity interventions, is essential. Experience with CBT-based manualised interventions, common mental health difficulties, outcome-focused services, electronic patient management systems such as IAPTUS or PCMIS, and risk assessment and management is also expected.

Helpful but not essential experience includes research or audit work and involvement in local community activity.

Skills and knowledge

Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential, including confidence on the telephone. You should be able to work effectively in emotionally demanding environments and communicate sensitive information in a way that reduces psychological resistance.

A solid understanding of the needs of people with mental health difficulties is required, along with the ability to apply psychological knowledge in a healthcare setting. You should also be able to assess the impact of training, work confidently with computers, and remain effective under pressure.

Being fluent in an additional locally relevant language is desirable, and experience of delivering group interventions would be an advantage.

Personal qualities needed for the role include a genuine interest in mental health, the ability to build strong therapeutic relationships, and the flexibility to work reliably both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Additional requirements

You must be able to use supervision constructively and respond to it effectively as part of ongoing professional development.