Fact Sheet

Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) - Level 6

Who is the programme suitable for?

This programme and role is suitable for people with a wide variety of personal, academic or
vocational backgrounds and/or with lived experience and is a fantastic opportunity for those
without an honours degree that are passionate about improving the lives of people with common
mental health difficulties. Apprentices will become fully qualified to work as Psychological
Wellbeing Practitioner (PWPs) within our TALKWORKS service. This is part of the nationwide
IAPT initiative – ‘Improving Access to Psychological Therapies’.

Overview of the role

As a psychological wellbeing practitioner (PWP) working within the TALKWORKS service, you will
undertake a comprehensive patient-centred assessment and support a range of low intensity
interventions informed by cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help patients with symptoms of
depression, anxiety, phobias and other common mental health problems.
To improve access and help patients from different backgrounds engage with these interventions,
you would offer the choice of face-to-face, group, on-line or telephone-based support, or direct to
other agencies such as GP practices, health care or community settings as appropriate. Across
these settings you would work collaboratively with a range of professionals working in health,
mental health, social care, employment advisors and with community organisations. Regular
supervision would enable you to clinically develop in your role as a PWP and ensure the patient
receives the very best treatment.

Topics covered include:

Training is informed by the BPS-accredited IAPT curriculum consisting of the following three
taught modules:
 • Engagement and Assessment of Patients with Common Mental Health Problems.
• Evidence-Based Low Intensity Treatments for Common Mental Health Problems.
• Value, Diversity and Context.

Clinical practice will take place throughout the course alongside taught materials.

Full details of the standards can be found on the Institute of Apprenticeships website HERE

What qualifications will you achieve?

Level 6 Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Apprenticeship and a University of Exeter Graduate

Certificate Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. This will enable you to work as a fully qualified
PWP within an IAPT service.
Psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) can join the British Psychological Society (BPS) or
British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

Entry /Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants will have evidence of successful study at Level 5 in England, Wales and
Northern Ireland, or equivalent, with a minimum of Level 2 English and Maths.
• Applicants should also have experience of paid or voluntary work in a setting where they
have been likely to have had exposure to people experiencing mental health difficulties.
However, there is no expectation they will already have any previous qualifications in
psychology.
• Employed for a minimum of 30 hours a week by the Trust on a substantial contract and
undertaking a relevant job role.
• Due to the current eligibility criteria for Government funded apprenticeship schemes, we are
currently only able to accept applications from candidates who have been resident in the
UK for the last 3 years, and who are not already in any form of Government funded
education.

Duration
12 months from induction date to EPA gateway.

Frequency of programmes
Autumn Term

How is the programme delivered?

• On average - One day a week 'off-the-job' training

• One day a week of independent studying
• Three days per week clinical work
• Teaching involves class-based activities, self-reflective learning, work-based study and
guided independent study
• Your clinical hours may increase as you approach the end of the course
How are you assessed?

You will undertake an End Point Assessment which encompasses Demonstration of Practice with
Question and Answer Session and a Presentation of Practice.

Career progression

• Senior PWP roles – management/supervisory role alongside clinical work.

• PWP ‘champion’ of specific patient group or service focus e.g. perinatal patients, older
adults, BAME groups, marketing.
• PWP in the ‘Talking Health’ team for patients with a common mental health problem and a
long term health condition.
• High-intensity therapist – this involves further training.

Training Provider(s)
Full Details can be found on the Exeter University's website

How do I apply?

For External applicants

These are advertised via NHS jobs or our own recruitment website.

For Internal Applicants

These are advertised via NHS jobs or our own recruitment website.

If you have more specific questions regarding what the apprenticeship entails, please contact
dpt.apprenticeships@nhs.net