High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Therapist

Sunderland Counselling Service (SCS) is excited to be working alongside Primary Care Networks (PCN) in Sunderland to develop and enhance the high intensity service provision across the city for patients who have one or more long-term conditions or are in receipt of fit notes as part of the Fit Talk Programme with the aim to improve their mental and emotional wellbeing.

The post holder will be qualified and accredited within one or more recognised Talking Therapies High Intensity modalities which must include High Intensity CBT. Secondary training in other recognised talking therapies modalities such as Person-Centred Counselling for Depression (CfD), Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) and Eye Movement and Desensitization and Reprocessing MDR EMDR) is welcomed.

This is an exciting opportunity to intervene early with clients who have co-morbidity issues to enhance their emotional resilience and prevent further longer-term mental health distress.

This is an in person position and the post holder will be expected to work primarily from the SCS base in Sunderland, along with a range of GP surgeries and community venues to best meet client needs. Some interventions may be offered over the phone and on-line, so the ability to work confidentiality from home may also be required.

Main duties of the job

The High Intensity CBT Therapistwill work outside of a traditional

talking therapies service, this pathway is a fully compliant Talking Therapies

offer and therapists will be expected to adhere to all requirements of the NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and

depression manual.

They will complete assessments and provide appropriate community-based

interventions for clients with a range of complex problems relating to anxiety

and depression and for which CBT is

demonstrated to be clinically effective.

The post holder will be employed on SCS terms and conditions and offered an NHS comparable agenda for change

Band Seven salary subject to qualification and accreditation status.

They work closely with the PCN teams to develop effective pathways and referral

routes for patients who may benefit from this intervention. They will be

expected to effectively comply with the SCS Clinical and Information Governance

requirements and hold appropriate access to PCN systems as relevant to the

role.

The post holder will work with people with diverse cultural

backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed

to equal opportunities.

This will be a permanent position subject to a successful

probationary period of three months.

Applications will be accepted until 11.59pm on the 18th October but we reserve the right to close the application process early if we receive a

high volume of submissions. Interviews are expected to take place soon after.

About us

SCS provides a range of services across the North East

region offering psychological therapies including counselling and cognitive

behavioural therapies to children and adults, as well as wrap around support to

help enhance emotional and mental wellbeing.

The post-holder will be provided with regular line

management, clinical and case management supervision by staff based within SCS

or outsourced to specialist providers where required according to their

modality.

The successful candidate will be entitled to benefits such

as 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays, access to our 24/7 employee

assistance programme, Cycle2Work Scheme, enhanced maternity and paternity

leave, training and being part of a supportive team which emphasises the

importance of continuing personal and professional development.

SCS may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) detection tools to

identify whether an application has been completed using AI.

We expect that AI may be used to enhance your application

such as refining and clarifying your ideas and thoughts and checking for

grammar and spelling. However, applications where AI has been used to invent or

inflate your skills and experiences or create generic responses will be

rejected.

To verify you have written your application please add the

following to the bottom of your application:

"I confirm that the content of this application is my

own work and has not been generated by artificial intelligence tools beyond

basic editing or proofreading."

Details

Date posted

25 September 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience

£49,387 subject to qualification & accreditation

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

B0330-26-0018

Job locations

51 John Street

Sunderland

SR1 1QN

United Kingdom

Job responsibilities

COMMUNICATION

& RELATIONSHIPS

Provide and

receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information e.g. personal,

familial, medical or attachment issues. This would include the ability to

foster engagement and overcome barriers where there may be a highly emotive,

hostile or antagonistic atmosphere.

Ability to

communicate highly complex condition related information to service

users/clients, families and carers or with other agencies.

Ability to

liaise with and provide consultation to professionals working in universal,

targeted or specialist services.

Ability to

develop and foster good working relationships and effective communication with:

Members

of SCS team

Members

of the PCN teams

Individuals

who use the service

Other

professional teams within the PCN

Other

agencies involved in client care e.g. voluntary agencies.

KNOWLEDGE,

SKILLS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

A

recorded and registered qualification in a minimum of one or more of the recognised

Talking Therapies (TT) Modalities including

High Intensity CBT.

An

understanding of NICE guidance relevant to depression and anxiety disorders and

how these may present in primary care.

An awareness

of the competencies and meta competencies required to deliver a recognised TT

modality.

Demonstrates

an understanding of a TT modality and how this may be used in clinical

practice.

An understanding of and ability to

effectively use clinical measures within therapy.

Demonstrable

experience of working in mental health services.

Knowledge

and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the impact locally, including

completion of safeguarding training.

Demonstrates

an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and

how it relates to this post.

Demonstrates

a knowledge and understanding of the impact of long-term conditions and their

impact on mental and emotional wellbeing.

Demonstrates

a knowledge of the issues surrounding employment and the impact it can have on

mental health.

Knowledge of

medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health

problems.

Demonstrates

a clear of understanding of risk and risk formulation.

ANALYTICAL

AND JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS

Ability to

provide a detailed assessment based upon the appropriate use, understanding and

combination of clinical information available, including self-reporting

information, self-rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations as

well as interviews with patients, their family members and other agencies

involved in their care within a complex nature.

Ability to

undertake a thorough risk assessment based on the information available for

individual patients, develop a risk contingency plan and manage or refer to the

appropriate treatment stream/service as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR PATIENT/CLIENT CARE

Accept

referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

Assess

clients for suitability for an appropriate talking therapy, such as CBT or

PCE-CfD, etc.

Make

decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service referral

protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to

the referral agent as necessary.

Formulate,

implement and evaluate therapy programmes for the formal psychological

treatment and/or management of a clients mental health problems, based upon an

appropriate conceptual framework of the clients problems, and employing

methods based upon evidence of efficacy.

Carry out

risk and safeguarding assessments/formulations in clinical practice and follow

the agreed service protocols to manage risk effectively.

To work with

clients who are at current risk of suicide or self-harm where appropriate.

Educate and

involve family members and others in treatment where appropriate, conveying

formulations where appropriate with sensitivity and in easily understood

language.

Adhere to an

agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and

clinical sessions carried out per week to minimise waiting times and ensure

treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

Attend

meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

Complete all

requirements relating to data collection within the service. e.g. ensure full

MDS collected for sessions, record provisional working diagnosis and utilise

ADSMs in line with service requirements and best clinical practice.

Maintain

accurate clinical records in line with service and SCS policies and procedures.

Work closely

with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-down and step-across

arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

Assess and

integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy

process.

Carry out

clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and

evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback.

Work

clinically with interpreters.

Work into a

number of locations as required by the service. This will be flexible and may

change as and when required by the service, assist clients, patients and carers

in accessing the most appropriate pathways through the mental health system.

Develop and

maintain excellent working relationships with GP Practices and the PCN(s).

Be an active

member of the team, joining groups and attending meetings as required.

Provide

consultancy to primary care colleagues and colleagues within the service as

required.

Work

collaboratively with PCN colleagues and partnership agencies where appropriate

to provide a seamless service for clients.

POLICY

AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Ensure the

maintenance of standards of practice in accordance with employer and any

regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BABCP), and keep up to

date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g.

NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical

Excellence).

Ensure that

client confidentiality is protected at all times.

Be aware of

and keep up to date with advances in talking therapies.

Ensure that

clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with

clinical supervisors and team managers on a regular basis as part of the probationary

and ongoing line management processes.

Attend

clinical and managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with clinical

supervisor and team leader.

Actively

participate in individual appraisal process and work on agreed objectives and

development plans.

Keep up to

date records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure

personal development plans reflect up to date specialist knowledge of latest

theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

Attend

relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional

objectives.

Provide

written reports as required.

Contribute

to the service research projects as appropriate.

FINANCIAL

AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Safe use of

shared equipment.

Ensure the

preservation of SCS and any relevant NHS property and resources.

MANAGEMENT

AND SUPERVISION

Engage in

effective line management with an SCS Services Manager.

Be

accountable to the SCS Clinical Management team for clinical practice and

clinical supervision.

Actively

participate in clinical supervision arrangements to meet the required standards

of ongoing registration / accreditation status.

Providing supervision

of other colleagues including trainee High Intensity Therapists and

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, as well as trainees from other

professional groups as appropriate.

FREEDOM

TO ACT

Work

independently whilst being guided by the appropriate evidence base, seeking

supervision and support whenever required.

PHYSICAL

EFFORT

Combination

of sitting, standing and walking.

MENTAL

EFFORT

Provide intense

concentration for interaction with service users/clients and families as

required.

Undertake

intensive personal analysis.

EMOTIONAL

EFFORT

Frequently support

clients with complex mental health, underlying physical health concerns, developmental

issues, family breakdown, enduring and serious mental illness, sexual abuse, self-harming,

suicidal ideation.

Job responsibilities

COMMUNICATION

& RELATIONSHIPS

Provide and

receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information e.g. personal,

familial, medical or attachment issues. This would include the ability to

foster engagement and overcome barriers where there may be a highly emotive,

hostile or antagonistic atmosphere.

Ability to

communicate highly complex condition related information to service

users/clients, families and carers or with other agencies.

Ability to

liaise with and provide consultation to professionals working in universal,

targeted or specialist services.

Ability to

develop and foster good working relationships and effective communication with:

Members

of SCS team

Members

of the PCN teams

Individuals

who use the service

Other

professional teams within the PCN

Other

agencies involved in client care e.g. voluntary agencies.

KNOWLEDGE,

SKILLS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

A

recorded and registered qualification in a minimum of one or more of the recognised

Talking Therapies (TT) Modalities including

High Intensity CBT.

An

understanding of NICE guidance relevant to depression and anxiety disorders and

how these may present in primary care.

An awareness

of the competencies and meta competencies required to deliver a recognised TT

modality.

Demonstrates

an understanding of a TT modality and how this may be used in clinical

practice.

An understanding of and ability to

effectively use clinical measures within therapy.

Demonstrable

experience of working in mental health services.

Knowledge

and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the impact locally, including

completion of safeguarding training.

Demonstrates

an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and

how it relates to this post.

Demonstrates

a knowledge and understanding of the impact of long-term conditions and their

impact on mental and emotional wellbeing.

Demonstrates

a knowledge of the issues surrounding employment and the impact it can have on

mental health.

Knowledge of

medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health

problems.

Demonstrates

a clear of understanding of risk and risk formulation.

ANALYTICAL

AND JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS

Ability to

provide a detailed assessment based upon the appropriate use, understanding and

combination of clinical information available, including self-reporting

information, self-rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations as

well as interviews with patients, their family members and other agencies

involved in their care within a complex nature.

Ability to

undertake a thorough risk assessment based on the information available for

individual patients, develop a risk contingency plan and manage or refer to the

appropriate treatment stream/service as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR PATIENT/CLIENT CARE

Accept

referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

Assess

clients for suitability for an appropriate talking therapy, such as CBT or

PCE-CfD, etc.

Make

decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service referral

protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to

the referral agent as necessary.

Formulate,

implement and evaluate therapy programmes for the formal psychological

treatment and/or management of a clients mental health problems, based upon an

appropriate conceptual framework of the clients problems, and employing

methods based upon evidence of efficacy.

Carry out

risk and safeguarding assessments/formulations in clinical practice and follow

the agreed service protocols to manage risk effectively.

To work with

clients who are at current risk of suicide or self-harm where appropriate.

Educate and

involve family members and others in treatment where appropriate, conveying

formulations where appropriate with sensitivity and in easily understood

language.

Adhere to an

agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and

clinical sessions carried out per week to minimise waiting times and ensure

treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

Attend

meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

Complete all

requirements relating to data collection within the service. e.g. ensure full

MDS collected for sessions, record provisional working diagnosis and utilise

ADSMs in line with service requirements and best clinical practice.

Maintain

accurate clinical records in line with service and SCS policies and procedures.

Work closely

with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-down and step-across

arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

Assess and

integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy

process.

Carry out

clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and

evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback.

Work

clinically with interpreters.

Work into a

number of locations as required by the service. This will be flexible and may

change as and when required by the service, assist clients, patients and carers

in accessing the most appropriate pathways through the mental health system.

Develop and

maintain excellent working relationships with GP Practices and the PCN(s).

Be an active

member of the team, joining groups and attending meetings as required.

Provide

consultancy to primary care colleagues and colleagues within the service as

required.

Work

collaboratively with PCN colleagues and partnership agencies where appropriate

to provide a seamless service for clients.

POLICY

AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Ensure the

maintenance of standards of practice in accordance with employer and any

regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BABCP), and keep up to

date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g.

NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical

Excellence).

Ensure that

client confidentiality is protected at all times.

Be aware of

and keep up to date with advances in talking therapies.

Ensure that

clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with

clinical supervisors and team managers on a regular basis as part of the probationary

and ongoing line management processes.

Attend

clinical and managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with clinical

supervisor and team leader.

Actively

participate in individual appraisal process and work on agreed objectives and

development plans.

Keep up to

date records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure

personal development plans reflect up to date specialist knowledge of latest

theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

Attend

relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional

objectives.

Provide

written reports as required.

Contribute

to the service research projects as appropriate.

FINANCIAL

AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Safe use of

shared equipment.

Ensure the

preservation of SCS and any relevant NHS property and resources.

MANAGEMENT

AND SUPERVISION

Engage in

effective line management with an SCS Services Manager.

Be

accountable to the SCS Clinical Management team for clinical practice and

clinical supervision.

Actively

participate in clinical supervision arrangements to meet the required standards

of ongoing registration / accreditation status.

Providing supervision

of other colleagues including trainee High Intensity Therapists and

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, as well as trainees from other

professional groups as appropriate.

FREEDOM

TO ACT

Work

independently whilst being guided by the appropriate evidence base, seeking

supervision and support whenever required.

PHYSICAL

EFFORT

Combination

of sitting, standing and walking.

MENTAL

EFFORT

Provide intense

concentration for interaction with service users/clients and families as

required.

Undertake

intensive personal analysis.

EMOTIONAL

EFFORT

Frequently support

clients with complex mental health, underlying physical health concerns, developmental

issues, family breakdown, enduring and serious mental illness, sexual abuse, self-harming,

suicidal ideation.

Person Specification

Attributes

Essential

• Ability to be self-reflective whilst working with service users and within personal and professional development and in supervision.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to work within a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to meet agreed / specified targets.
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Excellent time management skills.

Other

Essential

• Able to work from home.
• Able to meet the mobility requirements of
• the post
• Ability to attend away days/CPD as and when required.

Desirable

• Fluent in languages other than English.
• Experience of working with diverse communities and within a multicultural setting

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in adult mental health ser

Desirable

• Experience of working in an adult Talking Therapies service.
• Experience of supporting clients with long-term conditions.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Completed clinical audits within a service.
• Experience of working in a primary care setting.

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of NICE guidance relevant to depression and anxiety disorders and how these may present in primary care.
• An awareness of the competencies and meta competencies required to talking therapies, such as CBT.
• Demonstrates an understanding of talking therapies compliant modalities and how they may be used in clinical practice.
• Knowledge of psychological, social and biological models of depression and anxiety.
• An understanding of the usage of clinical measures within therapy.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the impact locally.
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding employment and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrates a clear of understanding of risk and risk formulation.
• Basic understanding of service contracts and performance targets and of the importance of recording activity.

Desirable

• Knowledge of long-term conditions and their impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Trained in the provision of supervision for a talking therapies compliant modality.

Skills and competencies

Essential

• Effective interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients.
• Evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to implement and evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired from training and supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with partner agencies for the best outcomes for clients.
• Ability to assess and formulate using a basic CBT model where appropriate.
• Ability to utilise basic CBT knowledge and skills in clinical practice.
• Computer literate.
• Ability to complete risk assessments within the scope of practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• A recorded/registered/accredited qualification in High Intensity CBT.
• Membership or accreditation with the appropriate registration body for this qualification.
• A recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions recognised by BABCP, e.g. mental health nursing, practitioner psychology, medicine, social work, occupational therapy or counselling AND current registration/accreditation with the core professional body, OR evidence of having achieved the Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (KSA) route to BABCP accreditation.

Desirable

• A second or more talking therapy compliant modality such as within one or more recognised Talking Therapies High Intensity modalities, such as Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD), Eye Movement and Desensitization and Processing (EMDR) therapy and / or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
• Completion of an accredited course relating to working with long-term conditions within Low Intensity therapy.
• Evidence of post qualification training in clinical supervision
• Qualification level 2 BSL

Person Specification

Attributes

Essential

• Ability to be self-reflective whilst working with service users and within personal and professional development and in supervision.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to work within a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to meet agreed / specified targets.
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Excellent time management skills.

Other

Essential

• Able to work from home.
• Able to meet the mobility requirements of
• the post
• Ability to attend away days/CPD as and when required.

Desirable

• Fluent in languages other than English.
• Experience of working with diverse communities and within a multicultural setting

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in adult mental health ser

Desirable

• Experience of working in an adult Talking Therapies service.
• Experience of supporting clients with long-term conditions.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Completed clinical audits within a service.
• Experience of working in a primary care setting.

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of NICE guidance relevant to depression and anxiety disorders and how these may present in primary care.
• An awareness of the competencies and meta competencies required to talking therapies, such as CBT.
• Demonstrates an understanding of talking therapies compliant modalities and how they may be used in clinical practice.
• Knowledge of psychological, social and biological models of depression and anxiety.
• An understanding of the usage of clinical measures within therapy.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the impact locally.
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding employment and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrates a clear of understanding of risk and risk formulation.
• Basic understanding of service contracts and performance targets and of the importance of recording activity.

Desirable

• Knowledge of long-term conditions and their impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Trained in the provision of supervision for a talking therapies compliant modality.

Skills and competencies

Essential

• Effective interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients.
• Evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to implement and evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired from training and supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with partner agencies for the best outcomes for clients.
• Ability to assess and formulate using a basic CBT model where appropriate.
• Ability to utilise basic CBT knowledge and skills in clinical practice.
• Computer literate.
• Ability to complete risk assessments within the scope of practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• A recorded/registered/accredited qualification in High Intensity CBT.
• Membership or accreditation with the appropriate registration body for this qualification.
• A recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions recognised by BABCP, e.g. mental health nursing, practitioner psychology, medicine, social work, occupational therapy or counselling AND current registration/accreditation with the core professional body, OR evidence of having achieved the Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (KSA) route to BABCP accreditation.

Desirable

• A second or more talking therapy compliant modality such as within one or more recognised Talking Therapies High Intensity modalities, such as Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD), Eye Movement and Desensitization and Processing (EMDR) therapy and / or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
• Completion of an accredited course relating to working with long-term conditions within Low Intensity therapy.
• Evidence of post qualification training in clinical supervision
• Qualification level 2 BSL

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see

NHS Careers website .

Employer details

Employer name

Sunderland Counselling Service

Address

51 John Street

Sunderland

SR1 1QN

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://www.sunderlandcounselling.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Sunderland Counselling Service

Address

51 John Street

Sunderland

SR1 1QN

United Kingdom

Employer's website

http://www.sunderlandcounselling.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Job responsibilities

COMMUNICATION

& RELATIONSHIPS

Provide and

receive highly complex, sensitive or contentious information e.g. personal,

familial, medical or attachment issues. This would include the ability to

foster engagement and overcome barriers where there may be a highly emotive,

hostile or antagonistic atmosphere.

Ability to

communicate highly complex condition related information to service

users/clients, families and carers or with other agencies.

Ability to

liaise with and provide consultation to professionals working in universal,

targeted or specialist services.

Ability to

develop and foster good working relationships and effective communication with:

Members

of SCS team

Members

of the PCN teams

Individuals

who use the service

Other

professional teams within the PCN

Other

agencies involved in client care e.g. voluntary agencies.

KNOWLEDGE,

SKILLS, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE

A

recorded and registered qualification in a minimum of one or more of the recognised

Talking Therapies (TT) Modalities including

High Intensity CBT.

An

understanding of NICE guidance relevant to depression and anxiety disorders and

how these may present in primary care.

An awareness

of the competencies and meta competencies required to deliver a recognised TT

modality.

Demonstrates

an understanding of a TT modality and how this may be used in clinical

practice.

An understanding of and ability to

effectively use clinical measures within therapy.

Demonstrable

experience of working in mental health services.

Knowledge

and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the impact locally, including

completion of safeguarding training.

Demonstrates

an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and

how it relates to this post.

Demonstrates

a knowledge and understanding of the impact of long-term conditions and their

impact on mental and emotional wellbeing.

Demonstrates

a knowledge of the issues surrounding employment and the impact it can have on

mental health.

Knowledge of

medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health

problems.

Demonstrates

a clear of understanding of risk and risk formulation.

ANALYTICAL

AND JUDGEMENTAL SKILLS

Ability to

provide a detailed assessment based upon the appropriate use, understanding and

combination of clinical information available, including self-reporting

information, self-rating scales, direct and indirect structured observations as

well as interviews with patients, their family members and other agencies

involved in their care within a complex nature.

Ability to

undertake a thorough risk assessment based on the information available for

individual patients, develop a risk contingency plan and manage or refer to the

appropriate treatment stream/service as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITIES

FOR PATIENT/CLIENT CARE

Accept

referrals via agreed protocols within the service.

Assess

clients for suitability for an appropriate talking therapy, such as CBT or

PCE-CfD, etc.

Make

decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service referral

protocols, and refer unsuitable clients on to the relevant service or back to

the referral agent as necessary.

Formulate,

implement and evaluate therapy programmes for the formal psychological

treatment and/or management of a clients mental health problems, based upon an

appropriate conceptual framework of the clients problems, and employing

methods based upon evidence of efficacy.

Carry out

risk and safeguarding assessments/formulations in clinical practice and follow

the agreed service protocols to manage risk effectively.

To work with

clients who are at current risk of suicide or self-harm where appropriate.

Educate and

involve family members and others in treatment where appropriate, conveying

formulations where appropriate with sensitivity and in easily understood

language.

Adhere to an

agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered, and

clinical sessions carried out per week to minimise waiting times and ensure

treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.

Attend

meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.

Complete all

requirements relating to data collection within the service. e.g. ensure full

MDS collected for sessions, record provisional working diagnosis and utilise

ADSMs in line with service requirements and best clinical practice.

Maintain

accurate clinical records in line with service and SCS policies and procedures.

Work closely

with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-down and step-across

arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach.

Assess and

integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy

process.

Carry out

clinical audits of service performance, including service user surveys and

evaluations, and help to collate and disseminate the results for feedback.

Work

clinically with interpreters.

Work into a

number of locations as required by the service. This will be flexible and may

change as and when required by the service, assist clients, patients and carers

in accessing the most appropriate pathways through the mental health system.

Develop and

maintain excellent working relationships with GP Practices and the PCN(s).

Be an active

member of the team, joining groups and attending meetings as required.

Provide

consultancy to primary care colleagues and colleagues within the service as

required.

Work

collaboratively with PCN colleagues and partnership agencies where appropriate

to provide a seamless service for clients.

POLICY

AND SERVICE DEVELOPMENT

Ensure the

maintenance of standards of practice in accordance with employer and any

regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BABCP), and keep up to

date on new recommendations/guidelines set by the department of health (e.g.

NHS plan, National Service Framework, National Institute for Clinical

Excellence).

Ensure that

client confidentiality is protected at all times.

Be aware of

and keep up to date with advances in talking therapies.

Ensure that

clear professional objectives are identified, discussed and reviewed with

clinical supervisors and team managers on a regular basis as part of the probationary

and ongoing line management processes.

Attend

clinical and managerial supervision on a regular basis as agreed with clinical

supervisor and team leader.

Actively

participate in individual appraisal process and work on agreed objectives and

development plans.

Keep up to

date records in relation to Continuing Professional Development and ensure

personal development plans reflect up to date specialist knowledge of latest

theoretical and service delivery models/developments.

Attend

relevant conferences / workshops in line with identified professional

objectives.

Provide

written reports as required.

Contribute

to the service research projects as appropriate.

FINANCIAL

AND PHYSICAL RESOURCES

Safe use of

shared equipment.

Ensure the

preservation of SCS and any relevant NHS property and resources.

MANAGEMENT

AND SUPERVISION

Engage in

effective line management with an SCS Services Manager.

Be

accountable to the SCS Clinical Management team for clinical practice and

clinical supervision.

Actively

participate in clinical supervision arrangements to meet the required standards

of ongoing registration / accreditation status.

Providing supervision

of other colleagues including trainee High Intensity Therapists and

Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, as well as trainees from other

professional groups as appropriate.

FREEDOM

TO ACT

Work

independently whilst being guided by the appropriate evidence base, seeking

supervision and support whenever required.

PHYSICAL

EFFORT

Combination

of sitting, standing and walking.

MENTAL

EFFORT

Provide intense

concentration for interaction with service users/clients and families as

required.

Undertake

intensive personal analysis.

EMOTIONAL

EFFORT

Frequently support

clients with complex mental health, underlying physical health concerns, developmental

issues, family breakdown, enduring and serious mental illness, sexual abuse, self-harming,

suicidal ideation.

Attributes

Essential

• Ability to be self-reflective whilst working with service users and within personal and professional development and in supervision.
• Ability to work flexibly.
• Ability to work within a rapidly changing environment.
• Ability to meet agreed / specified targets.
• High level of enthusiasm and motivation.
• Ability to work well under pressure.
• Excellent time management skills.

Other

Essential

• Able to work from home.
• Able to meet the mobility requirements of
• the post
• Ability to attend away days/CPD as and when required.

Desirable

• Fluent in languages other than English.
• Experience of working with diverse communities and within a multicultural setting

Experience

Essential

• Demonstrable experience of working in adult mental health ser

Desirable

• Experience of working in an adult Talking Therapies service.
• Experience of supporting clients with long-term conditions.
• Worked in a service where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes.
• Completed clinical audits within a service.
• Experience of working in a primary care setting.

Knowledge

Essential

• An understanding of NICE guidance relevant to depression and anxiety disorders and how these may present in primary care.
• An awareness of the competencies and meta competencies required to talking therapies, such as CBT.
• Demonstrates an understanding of talking therapies compliant modalities and how they may be used in clinical practice.
• Knowledge of psychological, social and biological models of depression and anxiety.
• An understanding of the usage of clinical measures within therapy.
• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding procedures and the impact locally.
• Demonstrates an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
• Demonstrates a knowledge of the issues surrounding employment and the impact it can have on mental health.
• Knowledge of medication used in anxiety and depression and other common mental health problems.
• Demonstrates a clear of understanding of risk and risk formulation.
• Basic understanding of service contracts and performance targets and of the importance of recording activity.

Desirable

• Knowledge of long-term conditions and their impact on mental health and emotional wellbeing.
• Trained in the provision of supervision for a talking therapies compliant modality.

Skills and competencies

Essential

• Effective interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients.
• Evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to implement and evaluate the knowledge and skills acquired from training and supervision.
• Ability to work effectively with partner agencies for the best outcomes for clients.
• Ability to assess and formulate using a basic CBT model where appropriate.
• Ability to utilise basic CBT knowledge and skills in clinical practice.
• Computer literate.
• Ability to complete risk assessments within the scope of practice.

Qualifications

Essential

• A recorded/registered/accredited qualification in High Intensity CBT.
• Membership or accreditation with the appropriate registration body for this qualification.
• A recognised qualification in one of the core mental health professions recognised by BABCP, e.g. mental health nursing, practitioner psychology, medicine, social work, occupational therapy or counselling AND current registration/accreditation with the core professional body, OR evidence of having achieved the Knowledge Skills and Attitudes (KSA) route to BABCP accreditation.

Desirable

• A second or more talking therapy compliant modality such as within one or more recognised Talking Therapies High Intensity modalities, such as Person Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD), Eye Movement and Desensitization and Processing (EMDR) therapy and / or Interpersonal Therapy (IPT).
• Completion of an accredited course relating to working with long-term conditions within Low Intensity therapy.
• Evidence of post qualification training in clinical supervision
• Qualification level 2 BSL