Would you like to help people manage their mental health with tried and tested psychological interventions? Perhaps your lived experience of mental health problems is putting you in a unique position to support others going through similar challenges. Are you looking for a career change and are enthusiastic about caring and supporting people?
We are seeking a person to join our Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) apprenticeship in Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies.
You should be compassionate, work well in a team, enthusiastic, highly motivated and have excellent written and verbal communication skills. You have some experience in a mental health settings, have experienced or supported those with mental health challenges.
The PWP apprenticeship programme is approximately 12 months in duration, delivered by Oxford Health Apprenticeship & Development Centre, Learning & Development; the next programme is due to start September/October 2026. The programme combines both academic and work-based learning through close collaboration between employers and education providers. Successful applicants will need to commit to the academic requirements of the course and will be unable to participate in any other education courses alongside the PWP programme.
More in-depth information can be found on the ‘Find out more about our PWP apprenticeship programme’ pdf.
During module 1 of the apprenticeship, your learning will be in person 3 days a week in Oxford for your Apprenticeship teaching days and 2 days in person at your allocated office base in Buckinghamshire.
After module 1, the schedule changes to one day of protected learning and four days of in-service training.
You will be trained to deliver evidence-based psychological therapies via telephone, online, digital platforms, or face-to-face, both individually and in groups.
Day to day, you will receive weekly case management supervision, clinical skills supervision, and training, with clear progression routes and career development opportunities
Please note that the apprenticeship programme has strict attendance requirements. You must attend 100% of the programme in order to be able to successfully complete the programme. Therefore, annual leave cannot be taken on allocated programme days. The programme is expected to run from October 2026 to October 2027. You will need to ensure you can commit to the programme during this time. Exceptional circumstances will be accounted for and discussed on an individual basis.
Oxford Health is a great place to work and to be able to showcase the best of yourself when making an application please read the “candidate guide to making an application” and ensure your supporting statement is tailored to the role you are applying for and addresses any essential criteria.
As a Trust we provide physical, mental health and social care for people of all ages across Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Swindon, Wiltshire, Bath and Northeast Somerset. Our services are delivered at community bases, hospitals, clinics and people’s homes, delivering care as close to home as possible. Our vision is that no matter who you are or where you are, you will tell us that you receive: “Outstanding care delivered by an outstanding team”
Our values are: “Caring, safe and excellent”
We offer a wide range of benefits designed to support your career and wellbeing. These include:
Excellent opportunities for career progression
Access to tailored individual and Trust wide learning and development
27 days annual leave, plus bank holidays, rising to 33 days with continuous service
NHS Discount across a wide range of shops, restaurants and retailers
Competitive pension scheme
Lease car scheme
Cycle to work scheme
Wisdom Wellbeing
Mental Health First Aiders
Staff accommodation (please note waiting lists apply)
Staff networking and support groups hosted by our Equality, Diversity & Inclusion team
At the top of your Supporting Statement, please indicate which of the following you have completed: English language requirement, UK GCSE English certificate, showing grades A*-C/9-4, Functional Skills English certificate - Level 2, Minimum Level 3 qualification studied in the UK/majority English speaking country.
Want to know what it’s like to work for Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies? Open the ‘What it’s like to work for Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies’ pdf to see what our team members have to say!
We are a nationally recognised, high-performing, and innovative Talking Therapies service. Visit our website Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies - Buckinghamshire to find out how we support over 12,000 adults to manage their common mental health difficulties.
Staff wellbeing is a top priority - We have a very active, award winning, in- service wellbeing team and take a pride in our supportive, collaborative, and productive culture.
The Trust hosts the Oxford Institute of Clinical Psychology Training and Research and the Oxford Cognitive Therapy Centre. Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies is actively involved in research, and the service benefits from being a member of the Oxford Academic Health Science Network – Anxiety and Depression Network led by Professor David Clark.
The Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies service follows a hybrid working pattern. Until successful completion of module 1 (approximately weeks 12-13), your learning will be in person 3 days a week in Oxford for your Apprenticeship teaching days and 2 days in person at your allocated office base in Buckinghamshire. Following this, the apprenticeship learning will be 1 day a week in person and then an office base for 3 days per week. At this stage, you will have the opportunity to work from home one day a week. Upon completion of the course, you will be entitled to the same hybrid working opportunities as the rest of the qualified staff.
Our two main bases are centrally located within Aylesbury and High Wycombe, and we use additional clinic space around the county. Ability and willingness to travel for work purposes is essential. There are currently vacancies for trainee PWPs in both High Wycombe and Aylesbury. If you wish to be considered for both locations, you only need to apply once but please make it clear in your personal statement that you wish to be considered for either base.
Apprenticeship Course Eligibility
To apply for this role you must ensure that you meet the requirements for the accompanying apprenticeship programme. You should view the attached eligibility checklist to confirm you are eligible for the programme.
Your eligibility will be checked during the shortlisting process. You will be asked to bring evidence of your qualifications and documents to the interview day.
In order to apply for the course, we need to ensure that you have met the criteria, please see attached link for information about right to work / remain in UK and residency status. Please can you read through this to ensure that you meet the criteria before applying for the post.
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1155957/Apprenticeship_funding_rules_2324_Version_1.pdf
Please be aware as a part of our recruitment and onboarding there will be an eligibility screening process which will involve a form being sent to you for us to evaluate and ensure you meet the criteria for funding. If you have any questions regarding the funding criteria, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.
On successful completion of the programme, apprentices will be equipped with the knowledge, understanding, skills, attitudes, and behaviours relevant to employment as a qualified Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner within an Adult Talking Therapies service.
Upon qualification, PWPs will be expected to comply with the national requirement, for PWP registration with the British Psychological Society (BPS) or the British Association of Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). Registration must be maintained annually, at the practitioner’s expense. Receipt of registration will enable you to progress from a Band 4 Trainee PWP contract to a permanent Band 5 Qualified PWP contract.
If shortlisted, we are hoping to have in-person interviews. Date and location to be confirmed.
Bucks Talking Therapies Recruitment Newsletter
Buckinghamshire Talking Therapies Website
PWP Apprenticeship Standard
The NHS Talking Therapies Manual
NICE recommended digital therapies for depression and anxiety could free up thousands of NHS therapist hours | NICE
We are aware that some candidates may choose to use AI tools to support their application. We kindly remind applicants that submissions should remain an honest and accurate representation of their experience and must take care to ensure the use of AI tools does not generate an application that does not accurately reflect their knowledge, skills and values.
