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This module is undertaken in semester 1 and addresses the contextual issues that you need to be aware of when working in an NHS setting e.g. policies, professional practice, and clinical pathways. An essential part of your work involves patient contact. Therefore, the module focuses on foundational skills of engagement and rapport building and other common factors/generic therapeutic competencies.
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This module is undertaken in semester 2. It will equip you with a good understanding of the process of therapeutic support, and the basic skills and evidence-based techniques to enable patients to improve their psychological well-being, and to minimise the negative impact of symptoms associated with anxiety and depression.
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This module is undertaken across both semester 1 and semester 2. It carefully examines the concepts of diversity, inclusion and multiculturalism to equip you with the necessary knowledge, attitudes and competencies to operate in an inclusive values-driven service.
Graduate Certificate and Postgraduate Certificate - Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Postgraduate, Postgraduate Certificate, September 2024
This course is fully funded by the NHS.
This course provides the formal academic training for Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner roles with NHS and partner providers. Please apply directly for a Trainee PWP post with local NHS or partner organisations via NHS Jobs and Indeed.
This programme provides the requisite skill and knowledge to qualify as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. Psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) work within the NHS to assess and support people with common mental health problems in the self-management of their recovery. You will gain the knowledge, understanding and skills to offer phone, online or face-to-face support to patients from different backgrounds and refer onwards to other agencies where appropriate. Your training will fully prepare you to work with anxiety disorders and depression. You will also gain understanding and practical experience in assessment and triage enabling you to identify other mental health conditions and refer onwards for treatment. PWPs liaise closely with other healthcare professionals including cognitive behavioural therapists, counsellors, psychotherapists, and employment advisers.
To access this course, you will be employed as a Trainee PWP within NHS Talking Therapies. Your training will incorporate a blend of traditional university education and placement-based learning through your Talking Therapies employer. The programme develops the academic knowledge and understanding as well as practical skills over the course of the year to deliver patient-centred interviews, undertake risk-assessments and work with patients to identify goals and provide a range of evidence-based interventions based on cognitive behavioural therapy.
This programme is offered at two levels.
- Level 6 (Graduate Certificate) for students who do not have a degree qualification
- Level 7 (Postgraduate Certificate) for students who have already graduated with a first degree.
Successful completion of this programme (at either level) confers registration with British Association for Cognitive and Behavioural Psychotherapies (BABCP) and British Psychological Society (BPS). Please note that the course is currently awaiting BPS accreditation.
This course leads to qualification and accreditation as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner. Successful completion of the programme will qualify you for Wellbeing Practitioner Registration with the British association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). PWPs play a vital role within public mental healthcare. Upon qualification you will already be employed and working with your own caseload developing knowledge and experience in this vital role.
All aspects of the training (academic development, practical experience in placement and supervision) are fully funded. As an employee of a Talking Therapies Provider with NHS (affiliated provider) you will earn a salary which will increase upon successful completion of your training. The PWP role offers broad scope for career development including Senior PWP, supervision, development of specialist knowledge and service management.
PWP training at Newman University provides the opportunity to gain PWP qualification within a highly experienced and resourced department with a strong reputation for high quality professional training in talking therapy, counselling and psychotherapy. This course is delivered by experienced practitioners and educators.
As a member of the Newman University community, you have access to a range of resources and benefits including an award-winning library, comprehensive e-learning platform, extensive student support (including academic skills development and pastoral support) and personal academic tutoring.
The course covers in full the Health Education England (HEE) National Curriculum for Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) Programmes Fourth Edition (updated and revised July 2022).
Running across the academic year, three core modules cover:
- Engagement and assessment of patients with common mental health problems
- Evidence based low intensity treatment for common mental health disorders
- Values, diversity and context
Alongside work-based learning, the course offers 45 days of formal teaching across the academic year with each module incorporating:
- 10 days – Theoretical teaching, skills practice in intensive workshops
- 5 days – Directed practice-based learning.
The programme offers a balance of face to face and online Learning.
Knowledge, skill and understanding are assessed via a range of assessment methods appropriate to the subject matter and practical, workplace application.
Authentic assessment methods are employed to mirror the workplace setting:
OSCE (Objective Structured Clinical Examination). This assesses performance in a simulated clinical situation such as an initial assessment, delivery of a clinical intervention or engagement with a specific patient group.
Clinical presentation. This assesses ability to convey information verbally in a clinical setting such as a multi-disciplinary review meeting.
You will build and maintain a Clinical Case Portfolio which records details of professional activity, a record of experience and competence across the three modules and effective use of skills development and case management supervision meetings. This will be submitted and assessed at three points across the programme.
You will also be assessed via traditional essays such as reflective commentaries on practical work to justify and explain the interventions you employ.
To obtain a place on this course, you will first need to apply for a Trainee PWP job with a provider of NHS Talking Therapies. There are a number of providers across Birmingham, Coventry and the Black Country. You will see these posts advertised on NHS Jobs and Indeed. If you are successful in your application for one of these posts, you will be provided with a link to apply for the educational programme here at Newman.
Whilst this programme is designed specifically to support the workforce development within NHS Talking Therapies, successful completion of this programme followed by in-role delivery as a PWP can open wider opportunities within social and mental health care. The PWP role offers broad scope for career development including Senior PWP, supervision, development of specialist knowledge, service management and NHS management progression.
Entry Requirements
Applicants are required to show:
- Undergraduate degree or equivalent level 6 qualification.
- Evidence of ability to study successfully at postgraduate level. This can be demonstrated by a good degree at undergraduate level, or by an equivalent academic qualification. Substantial work experience and achievements at work can also be considered.
- Evidence of experience in an employed or formal volunteer helping role with people with psychological, interpersonal or social problems
- Evidence that they have a broad understanding of mental health issues and the skills to form a good helping relationship with people with mental health problems. This can be obtained through study, work or volunteer experience with people who have experienced a mental health problem.
- Additional entry requirements: Candidates must also demonstrate:
- Self-awareness, maturity and stability
- Ability to make use of and reflect upon life experience
- Capacity to cope with the emotional demands of the course
- Ability to cope with the intellectual and academic requirement
This course provides the formal academic training for Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner roles with NHS and partner providers. Please apply directly for a Trainee PWP post with local NHS or partner organisations via NHS Jobs and Indeed.
International Students
Newman University is not licenced by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present.
Course Fees
This course is fully funded by the NHS.
Modules
Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes or Module Changes page.
Timetables: find out when information is available to students
Additional Information
General Academic Regulations: Terms and Conditions for students attending our courses