Job Description

The closing date is 14th Sep 2025

Anticipated Interview date(s) 22nd September

Job summary

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This is an exciting opportunity for a Psychological Therapist or Counsellor to join NHS Somerset Talking Therapies Service for Depression and Anxiety, working within either our South Somerset Team (Yeovil/Chard) or our Taunton Team.


NHS Somerset Talking Therapies is a high-performing service with one of the best recovery rates in the country. We have excellent links with the voluntary sector and secondary care through the Open Mental Health Somerset initiative. As part of our multi-professional workforce in primary care, you will support adults experiencing depression, anxiety and long-term health conditions, offering therapy both face-to-face and via video link. Flexible working opportunities are available.


Applicants who do not yet hold a Talking Therapies-compliant qualification in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) or Person Centre Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE CfD) will be considered for a Band 6 recruit-to-train position, with full training provided.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

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Provide evidence-based psychological therapy in line with NHS Talking Therapies standards, including Interpersonal Therapy (IPT) or Person Centre Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE CfD) Deliver individual and group-based interventions both in person and remotely. Undertake triage and assessments, contributing to stepped care pathways. Manage a caseload of up to 18 clinical contacts per week, ensuring timely treatment delivery. Work collaboratively with colleagues across primary care, community mental health and voluntary sector services. Maintain accurate and timely clinical records using the IAPTus system. Contribute to clinical governance, service audits, user feedback and evaluations.

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 description

-------------------


As a Psychological Therapist within NHS Somerset Talking Therapies, you will:

Accept referrals via agreed protocols, assessing suitability for therapy and allocating patients appropriately. Formulate, implement and evaluate structured therapy programmes, ensuring interventions are adapted to the needs of individuals from diverse cultural and social backgrounds. Support the development of best practice and participate in service improvement initiatives. Liaise with employment advisers and other professionals to integrate work and social factors into treatment plans. Attend regular clinical supervision and case management, maintaining professional development and meeting accrediting body requirements (BACP, UKCP, NCS, HCPC). Contribute to the training and supervision of other staff, where appropriate. Ensure compliance with confidentiality, safeguarding, risk management and equality & diversity policies across the Trust.

This role may involve working flexibly between 8am and 8pm on weekdays and occasional Saturdays. Travel within Somerset may be required.

Person specification

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Qualifications

#

Essential

Accreditation with the BACP, UKCP, BPS, NCS, HCPC or equivalent.


Practitioner qualification/accreditation in an NHS Talking Therapies compliant therapy modality: Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), Dynamic Interpersonal Therapy (DIT) or Person-centred Experiential Counselling for Depression (PCE-CfD).


Good record of Continuing Professional Development in an NHS Talking Therapies compliant counselling modality and willingness to continue this.




#

Desirable

Further training or willingness and suitability to train in another NHS Talking Therapies compliant modality: IPT, DIT or CfD


Qualification and experience as a supervisor in an NHS Talking Therapies compliant modality

Experience

#

Essential

Experience of working to agreed performance targets demonstrating clinical outcomes.


#

Desirable

Experience of providing psychological therapy within an NHS Talking Therapies (formally known as IAPT) service.


Experience of line managing clinical or non-clinical staff.

Additional Criteria

#

Essential

Car driver or access to transport to travel to locations throughout the organisation with appropriate business insurance

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 Professional Registration

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

For help with your application, contact:

Rayn Smith


rayn.smith@somersetft.nhs.uk

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change

Band

Band 7

Salary

47810.00 to 54710.00 Yearly

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Part-Time, Full-Time

Reference number

184-OL-GR-2940

Job locations

Bracken House

Crewkerne Road

Chard

Somerset

TA20 1YA


Parkgate House

East Reach

Taunton

Somerset

TA1 3ES