Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner – University of Essex/Basildon and West Essex job at Basildon Full Time NEW

Have you considered training in Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and getting paid to make a real difference?

If so, our Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner programme could be the role for you!

Here at Vita Health Group, we support each of our trainees to become confident, patient-focused clinicians. We work with you to develop your clinical skills throughout your course, celebrating your successes and encouraging your professional development.

We have several opportunities for enthusiastic and committed Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (Trainee PWPs) to join our expanding Talking Therapies service operating across Basildon & Brentwood and West Essex.

Getting to know Us

Hello! We are Vita Health Group – we are the lead provider of NHS Talking Therapies services across Basildon & Brentwood and West Essex, providing vital mental health support to clients aged 16+ within the practice area. We are super proud of the work we do at Step 2 and see the life-changing impact of our practice every single day!

We really do practice what we preach here at Vita, with 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 and rich CPD.

The Role

In this role, you will provide Low Intensity CBT-based interventions whilst undertaking the Postgraduate Certificate Psychological Well-being Practice delivered by the University of Essex. This training post will equip you with the skills and knowledge to provide evidence-based treatment to clients with a range of common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.

You will be joining a motivated team of mental health professionals and experienced supervisors, who will support you to complete both your academic study and your clinical delivery.

The start date of this position is 21st September 2026, with a full week of service induction online with Vita Health Group and university induction onsite on 29th September 2026.

A typical working week includes a mixture of university teaching on Tuesdays, study day and service days. On your service days, you will be supported in providing high volume low intensity interventions for mild to moderate anxiety and depression. University days will be hybrid training with a combination of remote and face-to-face teaching.

For more information on the course please follow the link below:

Postgraduate Certificate Psychological Wellbeing Practice Degree | University of Essex

Whilst your clinical practice will include remote working, we would prefer Trainees to attend one of the Essex offices for one day a week and will offer HCA allowance for this.

This is a fixed term role for 12 months.

After completing the training 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.

Getting to know you

Essential:

• Undergraduate degree or evidence of previous successful study at Regulated Qualifications Framework Level 6
• At least 1 year’s 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

Desirable:

• Experience of telephone working

Other Requirements:

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

Please note:

• Shortlisting will take place w/c 15th June and shortlisted applicants must be available to attend interviews held w/c 29th June 2026. All interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft Teams.
• Interviews will be conducted joint with the university and include a role play, given at the time.
• Applicants must be available to commence the role for a remote induction with Vita Health Group on 21st September 2026 and with the university on 29th September 2026. All essential equipment will be provided.
• Week commencing Monday 5th October will require face to face attendance at the university Monday-Wednesday.
• Week commencing Monday 12th October will require face to face attendance at the university Monday- and Tuesday with online learning on Wednesday.
• 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.

About Us

As part of Spire Healthcare, we’re proud to build on a legacy of improving lives for over 30 years and continue to deliver primary care physical and mental health services accessed through the NHS, via employer-funded care and at our network of private clinics.

Working here

We are an award-winning employer regularly recognised at industry events and our latest employee survey revealed the top reasons for working here as:

• Supportive teams and managers
• A positive and inclusive culture
• Strong well-being and mental health support
• Trust, autonomy and flexibility

We invest in your growth with frequent career progression opportunities and development initiatives including mentoring, secondments, management training and regular clinical CPD webinars. You will enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working options and a comprehensive benefits package – further details here Careers – Vita Health Group

Equality Diversity & Inclusion

We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer dedicated to creating a workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. We actively support a range of initiatives including:

• Disability Confident Leader
• Positive action through Ethnicity and Gender Matters initiatives
• Employer with Heart and Mindful Employer status
• Menopause Friendly accreditation

Learn more about our EDI commitments here Equality, Diversity & Inclusion – Vita Health Group.

If you need any adjustments or assistance during the recruitment process we will be happy to help – please get in touch at [email protected]

Additional information

All applicants must be legally entitled to work in the UK and subject to a DBS check at offer stage.

Your application data is handled securely in accordance to UK GDPR guidelines.

We may close jobs to new applications earlier than original stated closing date.