This British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited course provides the training needed to qualify as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP).
PWPs provide assessment and Low-Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (LICBT) to adults experiencing common mental health issues such as Depression and Anxiety Disorders.
PWPs are employed within an NHS Talking Therapies Service for the duration of their training year, with the potential to continue their employment post-qualification.
You will develop your clinical competency at University through observation, role-plays and skills practice. These competencies will be enhanced further in your employment within NHS Talking Therapies.
The course runs over the course of one calendar year, and consists of a minimum of 30 taught University days, 19 directed study days, and 8 University supervision sessions alongside a placement in an NHS Talking Therapies service.
The course consists of 3 compulsory modules:
- Engagement and Assessment of Common Mental Health Problems
- Evidence-Based Low Intensity Treatment for Common Mental Health Disorders
- Values, Employment and Context
You will be taught through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, experiential skills, training workshops and self-directed learning. You will apply and develop the skills you learn in your trainee role within a mental health service.
Across the course, trainees are expected to undertake 80 clinical contact hours with patients and receive 40 hours of supervision.
The course is assessed through a combination of written and clinical assessments. Written assignments include short essays and reflective reports. Clinical assessments include a role-play, a treatment recording with a patient and a case presentation.
At the end of the course, students are expected to demonstrate their learning and development through a Clinical Outcomes Portfolio.
For information on entry requirements, please consult the job specification advertised on NHS jobs.
You do not necessarily need a degree to undertake this training. There are two main routes of entry for the training: graduate and postgraduate. Specific entry requirements for each route will be detailed on the NHS Jobs advertisement. In general, the graduate route requires evidence of ability to study at Level 6 (e.g., previous successful study at Level 5 or successful part completion of an Honours degree – level 6). The postgraduate route requires previous successful completion of an Honours degree graded 2.2 or above.
The training programme is fully funded by the NHS and trainees will receive a salary equivalent to a full-time NHS band 4 over the year. Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the agreed salary on offer of interview.
Successful completion of the programme will enable you to work as a Qualified PWP in an NHS Talking Therapies service. A Qualified PWP salary is equivalent to NHS band 5 pay.
For further details, please visit: https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/psychological-therapies/roles/psychological-wellbeing-practitioner
The Charlie Waller Institute usually offers two intakes per year in February and September. The number of places available per cohort is dependent on NHS service funding.
Potential candidates must apply through the job advertisement on NHS jobs. The University of Reading will review the application and a member of our team will be present on the interview panel.
Update July 2024 – We are now registering interest for non-NHS funded places on this course. If you are interested in self-funding or being sponsored by your employer to attend this training, please email admissions-cwi@reading.ac.uk and the Admissions Tutor (email address in Further Information section below) for more details.
Criteria for the course are:
- Qualification at level 5 for Graduate route or level 6 for Postgraduate (a pre-entry essay may be completed instead if level 3 or 4)
- Experience of working with or supporting people with common mental difficulties (anxiety and/or depression)
- Access to patients and supervision at step 2 of an NHS talking therapies service
For further information on this programme, please contact Michelle Lee, Admissions Tutor for PWP, at m.j.lee@reading.ac.uk