Job summary This is an exciting opportunity for a psychological therapist or counsellor to join the South Somerset Team of the NHS Somerset Talking Therapies Service - for depression and anxiety. NHS Somerset Talking Therapies has excellent links with the voluntary sector and secondary care services thanks to the Open Mental Health Somerset initiative. This advert is for a hybrid post which will require remote working and 1-2 days of on-site face-to-face working. You will be required to undertake an NHS Talking Therapies training in Interpersonal Therapy (IPT), or Counselling for Depression (CfD) if you have not acquired this already. This advert is for a hybrid post which will require remote working and 1-2 days of on-site face-to-face working. You will be part of a primary care multi-professional workforce that continues to increase access to treatment for people with depression, anxiety and those living with long term health conditions. You will provide psychological therapy remotely via video link and face-to-face on-site, with opportunities for flexible working. NHS Somerset Talking Therapies service for depression and anxiety is seeking to employ motivated staff to contribute to the success of this service, which maintains one of the highest recovery rates in the country. We are looking for applicants who have enthusiasm for working in a primary care setting, who are adaptable, and can work independently and as part of a team. Main duties of the job You will: Be required to commit to 1-2 days of on-site face to face working in the South Somerset area or more dependent on demand. Formulate, implement and evaluate therapy programmes for clients according to an NHS Talking Therapies-compliant modality such as IPT, DIT or CfD or undertake training to do so. Adhere to an agreed activity contract relating to the number of client contacts offered per week to minimise waiting times and ensure treatment delivery remains accessible and convenient. Keep coherent records of all clinical activity in line with service protocols. Assess and integrate issues surrounding work and employment into the overall therapy process and liaise with service employment advisers to the benefit of patients. Ensure the maintenance of standards of practice according to the employer and any regulating, professional and accrediting bodies (e.g. BACP, UKCP, BPS, NCS; HCPC: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 NICE). Attend clinical supervision, case management and line management on a regular basis as agreed with Manager. Participate in individual performance reviews and respond to agreed objectives. 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. Date posted 19 February 2025 Pay scheme Agenda for change Band Band 6 Salary £37,338 to £44,962 a year Contract Permanent Working pattern Part-time Reference number 184-OL-GR-1864 Job locations Bracken House Crewkerne Road Chard Somerset TA20 1YA Job description Job responsibilities You will be a member of the Somerset NHS Talking Therapies Service for Depression and Anxiety, delivering Psychological Therapy. In this role, you will support clients experiencing moderate to severe anxiety and depression, utilising evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Your work will involve people from diverse cultural backgrounds and age groups, with interpreters available when needed. A commitment to equal opportunities is essential. Treatment will be provided through face-to-face sessions, via video and in person, and occasionally by telephone when appropriate. This position may require flexible hours between 8am until 8pm and on Saturdays and a caseload of up to 18 booked clinical contacts per week. Applicants should have a basic understanding of the national NHS Talking Therapies programme and demonstrate commitment to its development. Please see downloadable job description for further information. Job description Job responsibilities You will be a member of the Somerset NHS Talking Therapies Service for Depression and Anxiety, delivering Psychological Therapy. In this role, you will support clients experiencing moderate to severe anxiety and depression, utilising evidence-based therapeutic approaches. Your work will involve people from diverse cultural backgrounds and age groups, with interpreters available when needed. A commitment to equal opportunities is essential. Treatment will be provided through face-to-face sessions, via video and in person, and occasionally by telephone when appropriate. This position may require flexible hours between 8am until 8pm and on Saturdays and a caseload of up to 18 booked clinical contacts per week. Applicants should have a basic understanding of the national NHS Talking Therapies programme and demonstrate commitment to its development. Please see downloadable job description for further information. Person Specification Qualifications Essential A registered qualification in health care at graduate level in nursing, social work, allied health professional AND Post-qualification training in Psychological Therapy to diploma level or equivalent, ideally in an IAPT-compliant modality, eg., IPT, DIT, CfD. OR Diploma or higher award in counselling or recognised training / qualification in a major psychological therapy approach. eg., IPT, DIT, CfD and the willingness to undergo further training in an NHS TT modality. Desirable Good record of Continuing Professional Development and willingness to continue this. Further training or willingness and suitability to train in another NHS Talking Therapies compliant modality: IPT, DIT or CfD. Undertaken post-qualification further training in a specialised area of psychological practice e.g. CBT, DIT, Minfulness, etc. Experience Essential Experience of providing psychological therapy within an NHS Talking Therapies (formally known as IAPT) service. Experience of working to agreed performance targets demonstrating clinical outcomes. Ongoing supervision and current psychological therapy work. Desirable Experience of line managing clinical or non-clinical staff. Additional Criteria Essential Understanding of a range of mild to moderate mental health problems including anxiety and depression and the impact of childhood abuse and neglect and how it may present in primary care. Knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health/benefits and employment systems. Understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post. Up to date knowledge of therapeutic approach to be practised. Awareness of other therapeutic approaches. Knowledge and understanding of the stepped care model and the NICE Guidelines appropriate to the service. Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language and literacy skills. Computer literate Word, Excel, clinical databases. Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients based on compassion and care. Able to carry out risk assessment and develop and implement appropriate risk management plans. Skills in assessment and formulation of psychological distress. Skills in developing and implementing focussed, time limited treatment plans. See downloadable job description for further information. Desirable Fluent in languages other than English and able to provide therapy in such languages. Person Specification Qualifications Essential A registered qualification in health care at graduate level in nursing, social work, allied health professional AND Post-qualification training in Psychological Therapy to diploma level or equivalent, ideally in an IAPT-compliant modality, eg., IPT, DIT, CfD. OR Diploma or higher award in counselling or recognised training / qualification in a major psychological therapy approach. eg., IPT, DIT, CfD and the willingness to undergo further training in an NHS TT modality. Desirable Good record of Continuing Professional Development and willingness to continue this. Further training or willingness and suitability to train in another NHS Talking Therapies compliant modality: IPT, DIT or CfD. Undertaken post-qualification further training in a specialised area of psychological practice e.g. CBT, DIT, Minfulness, etc. Experience Essential Experience of providing psychological therapy within an NHS Talking Therapies (formally known as IAPT) service. Experience of working to agreed performance targets demonstrating clinical outcomes. Ongoing supervision and current psychological therapy work. Desirable Experience of line managing clinical or non-clinical staff. Additional Criteria Essential Understanding of a range of mild to moderate mental health problems including anxiety and depression and the impact of childhood abuse and neglect and how it may present in primary care. Knowledge of the issues surrounding work and the impact it can have on mental health/benefits and employment systems. Understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies and how it relates to this post. Up to date knowledge of therapeutic approach to be practised. Awareness of other therapeutic approaches. Knowledge and understanding of the stepped care model and the NICE Guidelines appropriate to the service. Able to demonstrate a good standard of English language and literacy skills. Computer literate Word, Excel, clinical databases. Able to develop good therapeutic relationships with clients based on compassion and care. Able to carry out risk assessment and develop and implement appropriate risk management plans. Skills in assessment and formulation of psychological distress. Skills in developing and implementing focussed, time limited treatment plans. See downloadable job description for further information. Desirable Fluent in languages other than English and able to provide therapy in such languages. 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 (opens in a new window). 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 (opens in a new window). Employer details Employer name Somerset NHS Foundation Trust Address Bracken House Crewkerne Road Chard Somerset TA20 1YA Employer's website https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)