Job Description

The closing date is 25th Aug 2025

Anticipated Interview date(s) 1 September 2025

Job summary

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


These posts are recruit to train positions and so

ALL CANDIDATES

will need to apply for

BOTH

the trainee role with an eligible NHS Talking Therapies service

FIRST

and

THEN

apply to the PCE-CfD NHS Psychotherapeutic Counselling programme at Metanoia Institute through the Metanoia website link

stating your Oleeo application number.


This is a training position and a dual application process where you must be employed in a Recruit to Train funded job to also receive a place on the course, and vice-versa.

If you are ineligible for the University Course, you will be unable to be offered the role.

If you withdraw from an employment offer but you have accepted a university offer, you will be unable to join the course.

Successful applicants will need to meet both the requirements of the employing service's job description and person specification and the Metanoia Institute's entry requirements

PGDip: Person-Centred Experiential Counselling for Depression


This is a three-year NHS Talking Therapies training role working towards a qualification as a High Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counsellor. Year one is a Band 5 foundation course. Upon successful completion, the candidate progresses to a two-year fixed-term Band 6 position in High-Intensity Psychotherapeutic Counselling. Training involves 3 days per week with the training organisation (Metanoia Institute) and 2 days per week in-service working with clients. The course will be a mixture of in-person training and online live input via the zoom platform.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

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


During their training, trainees are employed by a Talking Therapies service and will be expected to carry out an average of two to three days per week of clinical practice in the service alongside their Metanoia Institute training, once signed off by the Institute as ready to begin practice. The first term of year one of the course will mostly require attendance in person at Metanoia Institute 3-4 days per week in order to support the development of sufficient competence in counselling skills to be signed off to begin practice back at the host service.


During the Foundation level training (first year), following sign off as meeting a Foundation standard of competence in simulation, trainees will work with people with mild to moderate depression in the IAPT host service.


Throughout the training programme, trainees must undertake a minimum of 90 minutes of training supervision to every six hours of client work (or the equivalent for group supervision). Supervision must be provided by training providers weekly and may be provided individually or in small groups of up to 3 trainees.


Metanoia Institute will liaise with each service to monitor the supervision that trainees receive and the PCE-CfD training and experience of their supervisors in the services where they are placed.


On qualification, trainees will be required to meet the requirements for individual PCE-CfD registration as set out in the Talking Therapies Manual.

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

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

These posts are recruit to train positions and so ALL candidates will need to apply for BOTH. You will need to complete an application for the trainee role with an eligible NHS Talking Therapies service FIRST and THEN apply to the PCE-CfD NHS Psychotherapeutic Counselling programme at Metanoia Institute through the Metanoia website link stating your unique Oleeo application number.

Please refer to the attached JD and all the separate attachments in relation to the training programme and timetable.

During their training, trainees are employed by a Talking Therapies service and will be expected to carry out an average of two to three days per week of clinical practice alongside their Metanoia Institute training, once signed off by the Institute as ready to begin practice. The first term of year one of the course will mostly require attendance in person at Metanoia Institute 3-4 days per week in order to support the development of sufficient competence in counselling skills to be signed off to begin practice back at the host service.


During the Foundation level training (first year), following sign off as meeting a Foundation standard of competence in simulation, trainees will work with people with mild to moderate depression in the host service.


Throughout the training programme, trainees must undertake a minimum of 90 minutes of training supervision to every six hours of client work (or the equivalent for group supervision). Supervision must be provided by training providers weekly and may be provided individually or in small groups of up to 3 trainees. The minimum supervision that trainees should receive is 90 minutes per week of training supervision, even if they have completed less than six hours of client work in the week.


Each trainee's service will be responsible for providing PCE-CfD supervision on site, including oversight of case management, clinical governance and management supervision in line with the supervision requirements of the IAPT Manual.


Metanoia Institute will liaise with each service to monitor the supervision that trainees receive and the PCE-CfD training and experience of their supervisors in the services where they are placed.


On qualification, trainees will be required to meet the requirements for individual PCE-CfD registration as set out in the IAPT Manual.


Trainees will be required to complete a minimum of 50 hours of personal therapy over the three years, commencing in Year 1 prior to starting work with service users. Therapy undertaken prior to the commencement of training may not be counted towards this requirement. Personal therapy must be in the theoretical orientation of the training

This training aims to:

a

.Develop high intensity psychotherapeutic counsellors with the qualities, skills and competences to develop, engage in and sustain strong therapeutic relationships and work effectively with NHS TT service users with depression, and their families where appropriate.

b

.Develop core psychotherapeutic counselling practitioner competency, including integration of practical competency in PCE-CfD, in line with the needs of service users, families and carers.

c

.Ensure clinical practice in accordance with local and national IAPT Service policy, including working to create inclusive and effective services for all.

d

.Promote personal and professional development and self-awareness essential to successful psychotherapeutic counselling.


Following sign off as meeting a foundation standard of competence through simulation, trainees will assess and support service users with mild to moderate depression in NHS Somerset services in the self-management of their recovery using either a humanistic/ person-centred or psychoanalytic/ psychodynamic psychotherapeutic counselling approach, under close supervision within an NHS TTad stepped care setting and in line with the NHS TTad Manual.


Undertakes patient-centred interviews which identifies areas where the person wishes to see change and or recovery and makes an accurate assessment of risk to self and others.


Make decisions on suitability of new referrals, adhering to the service's referral protocols, refers unsuitable clients on to the relevant part of the service or back to the referral agent as necessary or steps-down the person's treatment to low intensity intervention.


Following assessment, identify and negotiate the focus and contract for time limited counselling as per service contract and protocols.


Deliver time limited counselling interventions in accordance with the NHS TTad Manual, the evidence base, and service protocols. This work may be in person, via video consultation or telephone.


Adhere to an agreed level of activity relating to the number of client contacts offered, and clinical sessions carried out per week in order to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient.


Complete all requirements relating to data collection within the service utilising electronic record and data collection systems as required.


Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols and use these records and clinical outcome data in clinical decision making.


Work closely with other members of the team ensuring appropriate step-up and step-down arrangements are in place to maintain a stepped care approach within the NHS TTad Service.


Attend multi-disciplinary meetings relating to referrals or clients in treatment, where appropriate.


To agree confidentiality boundaries with patients (working within professional codes of ethics and those of the employer).


To undertake risk assessments and take the appropriate action (possibly breaching patient confidentiality in the interests of the client or as dictated by legislation and service policy).


To have a caseload of individual clients with sessions offered in person, via video consultation or telephone.

Person specification

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


###

Qualifications

####

Essential

Recognised degree at 2:2 or above in any relevant subject, or equivalent, or Demonstrates competency via a portfolio of evidence, which meets specified academic equivalence requirements.


Completed a Level 2 Certificate in Counselling Skills, (minimum of 10 days or 60 hours of face-to-face tuition at level 2 or level 3). Note: Online courses are not acceptable. L2 Award, Helping Skills and Introductory courses are not acceptable




###

Experience

####

Essential

Show a commitment to working with people with common mental health problems


Evidence of working with people who have experienced a common mental health problem.


Previous clinical or professional expertise in mental health


Worked in a setting where agreed targets in place demonstrating clinical outcomes


Demonstrable interpersonal skills and values consistent with providing hopeful, person-centred care within the NHS Somerset stepped model of care


Evidence of working within a team environment


Evidence of communicating with individuals from diverse backgrounds


Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback


Awareness of and ability to explore issues of difference and equality and the nature of prejudice and oppression


Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support and self-care


Able to develop good therapeutic relationships and maintain professional boundaries




###

Additional Criteria

####

Essential

Potential trainees will be assessed for the following attributes or the potential for developing them:


Warmth, kindness, compassion, empathy


Authenticity, self-awareness, maturity and stability


Ability to listen, be present and attentive


Ability to come alongside people experiencing emotional and psychological distress


Capacity for reflexivity


Ability to be vulnerable and make use of and reflect upon own life experience


Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course


Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement


Ability to be self-critical and use both positive and negative feedback


Awareness of and ability to explore issues of difference and equality and the nature of prejudice and oppression


Ability to recognise the need for personal and professional support and self-care


###

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.


###

For help with your application, contact:

Nicola Boyland


nicola.boyland@somersetft.nhs.uk




###

Pay scheme

Agenda for Change


###

Band

Band 5


###

Salary

38682.00 to 46580.00 Yearly
###

Contract

Permanent


###

Working pattern

Full-Time


###

Reference number

184-OL-YE-3110


###

Job locations

Bracken House

Crewkerne Road

Chard

Somerset

TA20 1YA