Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Trainee High Cognitive Behavioural Therapist
The closing date is 17 August 2026

Job summary
Midlands Partnership Foundation Trust works in partnership with North Staffordshire Combined Healthcare to deliver Talking Therapies services across the whole of Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent.

Due to continuing expansion, we are advertising for new trainee posts to commence in January 2027.

Posts are available in

• 3 x Cannock
• 3 x Stafford
• 1 x Seisdon - with easy access to Wolverhampton and Birmingham
• 1 x Burton on Trent - whose central location benefits from free parking, easy travelling distance of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire with direct train links to Derby.

Please state your locality preference in the Supporting Statement box at the end of the application form.

Please ensure you provide detailed evidence of how you meet the criteria on the personal specification in your supporting statement.

The Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Wellbeing Service is a creative organisation which embraces staff ideas to constantly seek ways of taking the service forward to adapt to changing expectations.

We have strong links with academic institutions with staff from the service teaching university courses devised in conjunction with MPFT.

Our staff lead professional development sessions locally and nationally and you will be actively encouraged to develop your practice through internal and external CPD opportunities.

Main duties of the job
You will be required to study on the 12 month Post-Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy at Keele University (starting January 2027) spending 3 days a week working clinically in locality and 2 days a week at University.

The service will provide in-house training and supervision, ensuring access to a range of suitable training cases designed to meet the requirements of the course.

Band 7 posts as CBT Therapists will be offered to those passing the PG Diploma with no performance concerns at the end of training.

Details of shortlisted applicants will be passed onto the University for Academic screening.

All shortlisted applicants must be available to attend academic screening in person at Keele University on Tuesday 15th September. AKSA presentation will follow the screening.

Those passing academic screening will be offered interviews with the locality team in early October.

All applicants who do not hold a recognised core profession by the BABCP will be required to have their completed KSA portfolio to submit at the time of the interview to demonstrate eligibility for the course programme. For guidance on completing a KSA portfolio, see BABCP website.

Applicants should abide by the 2 year rule set by Health Education England if they have previously undertaken taken training. Please see the Health Education England website.

About us
Come and work with us at our award-winning NHS Trust, leading the way for trying new and better ways of working to help improve life for our local communities.

We have around 9,000 staff who provide physical and mental healthcare, support for people with learning disabilities, and adult social care across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, and Telford & Wrekin. We also run regional and national services, including help for new parents (perinatal care), eating disorders, forensic services, sexual health, and support for people in prison with mental health, drug, or alcohol problems.

We offer great career development for both clinical and non-clinical roles, with ongoing training and support to help you learn and grow.

We are 'United in our Uniqueness' and committed to creating a workplace where everyone feels welcome and can be themselves, no matter their background or identity. We want our staff to feel supported and valued, and we aim to build a team that reflects the communities we serve. Together, we can make sure every voice is heard, and every difference is respected.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Details
Date posted: 03 August 2026
Pay scheme: Agenda for change
Band: Band 6
Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum
Contract: Permanent
Working pattern: Full-time
Reference number: 301-LBG-26-8179109
Job locations: Stafford Cannock Seisdon Burton on Trent, ST16 2LL, United Kingdom

Job responsibilities
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn.

This is an excellent opportunity for those committed to training and working as Cognitive Behavioural Therapists.

We are seeking individuals who can demonstrate some existing knowledge and experience of delivering CBT interventions, as well as experience of treating anxiety disorders and depression, but who would like to specialise further in this area.

Our teams are committed to continuing clinical training/development, supervision and support for all therapists. The service has been a pathfinder for several developments in Talking Therapies service delivery and has a proven track record for quality and research.

Our friendly teams are committed to promoting the wellbeing of our workers, as well as our clients. As a centre for research as well as clinical practice, we work in partnership with Staffordshire and Keele Universities.

A detailed job description and personal specification listing necessary qualifications are attached.

Please ensure your supporting statement provides detailed evidence of how you meet the criteria on the personal specification. Please also state your locality preference.
This vacancy will close when enough applications of calibre have been received, and this may be before the advertised closing date.

Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential

• A recorded/registered doctoral level qualification in clinical or counselling psychology OR A recorded/registered qualification in one of the following - nursing, social work, occupational therapy, arts therapy OR A recorded/registered qualification training in a psychological therapy which may be CBT to at least equivalent of a post graduate diploma level and significant experience working with adults as a Psychological Therapy Practitioner.

Experience
Essential

• Demonstrable 2 years' experience of working in mental health services

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: Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Address: Stafford Cannock Seisdon Burton on Trent, Stafford Cannock Seisdon Burton on Trent, ST16 2LL, United Kingdom
Employer's website: Apply through our website

Employer contact details
For questions about the job, contact:
Business Support Manager
Heather Edwards
heather.edwards@mpft.nhs.uk
07773004874

Supporting documents
Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust's privacy notice.