Psychological Therapies Lead

**The closing date is 29th May 2025**

**Job summary**:
To advise and guide the NHS Somerset Talking Therapies Service on all aspects of psychological therapy (PT) and particularly on its operation within the Talking Therapies
- for anxiety and depression framework.

To advise and guide PT Supervisors in their work with therapists and trainees.

To communicate proactively with and be a resource for the Team Leaders and Deputy Team Leaders.

To work with the CBT Lead to build a constructive, collaborative relationship in order to work on joint initiatives that refer to all Step 3 work and to contribute to the development and training of counsellors as appropriate.

To build a constructive working relationship with the PWP Lead to ensure smooth communication between the two arms of the Service.

To oversee the recruitment, retention and supervision of psychological therapists and associated trainees

**Main duties, tasks & skills required**:
To have oversight of Step 3 PT waiting times across the Service, promoting equity of access and striving to find ways to offer a prompt start to treatment to all patients. To balance this with a consideration of both NICE guidelines and local commissioning requirements.

To plan, implement and review Step 3, PT groupwork in the Service for better patient outcomes and to improve performance against the Access target, minimizing waiting times for treatment.

To plan the intake of PT trainees. To organize their recruitment in liaison with the Recruitment service. To manage all aspects of their training year, addressing areas of clinical concern as they arise. To be the main link person with the training institute, attending relevant meetings.

To identify learning and development needs (CPD) of the PT workforce and to have oversight of such development and further training of all PT clinicians and supervisors. To plan and deliver internal trainings as appropriate and in collaboration with the CBT Lead and PWP Lead.

To plan, manage and improve PT supervision arrangements throughout the Service. To consider most appropriate and constructive pairings.

**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.

**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**:
Communication and Key Working Relationships

To be line managed by the Service Lead and to bring all areas of concern or development to line management discussion. To advise the Service Lead on all Talking Therapies PT developments and jointly consider their implementation in the Service.

To advise and guide PT Supervisors in their work with therapists and trainees. To plan and chair regular meetings of such supervisors. To be a resource for them in any conflicts or ruptures in supervisory relationships.

To communicate proactively with and be a resource for the Team Leaders and Deputy Team Leaders.

To work with the CBT Lead to build a constructive, collaborative relationship in order to work on joint initiatives that refer to all Step 3 work and to contribute to the development and training of counsellors as appropriate.

To build a constructive working relationship with the PWP Lead to ensure smooth communication between the two arms of the Service.

To liaise with PT practitioners elsewhere in the Trust in regard to review and clinical audit of relevant NICE and other guidelines, and general best practice in PT.

To seek opportunities for service user participation in the planning and implementation of the work of the post, for example in liaison with Recovery Partners.

To liaise with colleagues in Open Mental Health (OMH), the Community Mental Health Service (CMHS), the Specialist Psychological Intervention service (SPI) and the voluntary and community sector (VCSE), promoting the ethos of the transformation of mental health services initiative at all times.