Job summary
NHS Somerset Talking Therapies for Anxiety and Depression, working in partnership with the University of Exeter, invite applications from mental health professionals for the opportunity to train to as a High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (HICBT). We are a supportive service with a clear commitment to sustained professional growth and development. We are seeking motivated and resilient individuals who can effectively balance the competing demands of academic work and a clinical caseload.

We offer the opportunity to make a difference to the wellbeing of the Somerset population and work amidst supportive colleagues and dependable clinical leadership and management. Providing regular clinical supervision, managerial support and wellbeing activities. We operate from and around four bases (Bridgwater, Mendip, South Somerset & Taunton).

Main duties of the job
Applicants must be able to commit to all university dates, which will include blocks of teaching of up to four days. Most teaching will be 2 days per week in conjunction with a minimum period of High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) clinical practice per week within the service. This is a paid training opportunity over 1-year full time or part-time 3.5 to 4.5 days over 2 years. All trainees will be required to attend university on Mondays and Tuesdays plus block weeks and work in service for the remainder of the week. This is a hybrid role, both in person and remote working will be required.

Upon successful completion of the course and confirmation of BABCP accreditation this will become a permanent role as a qualified High Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapist at Band 7 with NHS Somerset Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression. We provide a structured preceptorship to support and develop therapists during their first year after qualifying.

About us
At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job responsibilities
Candidates will have a relevant Core Profession or demonstrate equivalent Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes via a KSA portfolio (see below for more info on KSA).

A list of core professions can be found on the BABCP website:

Core Professions -- BABCP (please see the attached pdf information sheet)

Candidates without a recognised relevant Core Professional training or qualification can demonstrate equivalent Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes via a KSA portfolio. A completed KSA Portfolio will be required to be submitted at interview. Please note that job offers for candidates selected at interview will be dependent on successful assessment of the KSA portfolio.

See BABCP website for further details:

Knowledge, Skills & Attitudes -- BABCP (please see the attached pdf information sheet)

Candidates currently working as Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWP's) will need to be at least 2 years post qualification, please follow the link for more information regarding the two-year rule for HEE funded psychological professions. NHS funding for psychological professions training programmes | NHS England | Workforce, training and education

Candidates need to meet the eligibility and enrolment criteria of the University of Exeter and can provide the certification, full details available on their website.

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/subjects/psychology/high-intensity-cognitive-behavioural-therapy/

On your application within the additional information section please provide a brief statement in support of your application for the post of HI CBT trainee with reference to the NHS Values in accordance with the NHS Constitution. When completing this section, please directly address the Expert by Experience. For your information, there may be an Expert by Experience representative on the interview panel or involved in the shortlisting process.

Key dates:

Shortlisting: 10th & 11th August (Please note shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview with limited advance notice due to the timeframe between shortlisting and interview dates)

Remote Interviews: 17th, 18th & 19th August

University Induction Days (Including KSA Workshop): 30th November & 1st December

Anticipated Employment Start Date: 30th November

Course Start Date: 4th Jan 2027

We monitor AI use in applications.

Interviews will be remote, you will need to have access to an internet enabled device (such as a computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone) with a microphone and camera in a private space.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

• PROFESSIONAL REGISTRATION
• Core profession applicants only to have the relevant professional registration as per the BABCP core professions criteria
• QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent in discipline connected to mental health (e.g psychology, neuroscience, or a BABCP recognised core professional qualification)
• AND Either
• Qualified in a mental health profession (e.g. social work, OT, MH Nurse, clinical or counselling psychologist, psychiatrist) and have at least 2 years post qualification experience.
• OR
• Candidates who do not have a core professional qualification are required to produce a complete KSA portfolio, to be submitted for assessment, at interview. Please refer to BABCP KSA Guidance for full or condensed KSA Portfolio required.
• Please note that PWPs cannot be recruited to HI posts or as HI CBT trainees until 2 years post qualification. These 2 years of practice commence only at the date of confirmation of the full PWP qualification by the University, not at the end of the teaching timetable. This standard in monitored nationally by the BABCP.
• Please also see the NHSE 2 year funding rule for psychological professions NHS funding for psychological professions training programmes | NHS England | Workforce, training and education
• And
• Able to attend university as required, which will include up to 9 blocks of in person teaching of up to 4 days per week. Most teaching will be 2 days per week in conjunction with a minimum period of high intensity CBT clinical practice per week.

Desirable

• QUALIFICATIONS & TRAINING
• Foundation level CBT training or sustained CPD in CBT.

Experience

Essential

• SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Applicants should show evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills
• Excellent interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients.
• Demonstrate an understanding of anxiety and depression and how it may present in Primary Care.
• Demonstrate understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post.
• Demonstrate skills in safety assessment, formulation and management.
• PERSONAL QUALITIES
• Motivation and resilience to balance competing demands of academic work and a clinical caseload.
• Ability to be self-reflective, whilst working with service users, in own personal and professional development and in supervision.
• Regard for others and respect for individual rights of autonomy and confidentiality.

Desirable

• SKILLS & ABILITIES
• Evidence of using CBT techniques in practice.

Additional Criteria

Essential

• OTHER
• Ability to attend university as required and clinical practice in service both remotely and in person.
• Applicants should show evidence of values that are consistent with the NHS constitution.
• Car driver and/or ability and willingness to travel to locations throughout the organisation

Desirable

• OTHER
• Experience of working in a stepped care service for anxiety and depression.
• Experience of working with diverse communities within a multicultural setting.

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.

Certificate of Sponsorship
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).