The Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) Professional Network has been established to ensure that PWPs have solidarity and recognition as a new profession, and to enable appropriate representation of the PWP 'voice' in other forums.
What is a PWP?
The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme was established in 2008 with the aim of establishing psychological therapy services to enable people to receive evidence based, NICE approved psychological therapies and interventions for common mental health problems.
In line with the programme, the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) role was developed specifically to deliver 'low intensity' interventions by working psychologically in a framework based on CBT principles, engaging with people earlier in their journey of mental health issues to promote their wellbeing.
PWPs help people use evidence-based psychological treatment in the form of guided self – help, in a way which is effective, accessible and person-centred. They use proven, straightforward and effective techniques which focus on people's own strengths.
University College London has recently undertaken a review of the PWP curriculum.
Aims of the PWP Professional Network and Who is it For
The PWP Professional Network aims to unite PWPs throughout the North West with the intent of developing solidarity as a workforce and sharing and enhancing skills and knowledge.
The group is open to Trainee PWPs, PWPs and Senior PWPs, and provides a central hub of resources as well as an online forum. The forum can be used to network with other PWPs, share skills and knowledge, and as a tool to solicit opinion from the workforce to help shape policy and inform PWP representation.
To learn more about PWP roles, use the links below:
Heather Stonebank blog: The role of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner and career progression
Carolyn Houghton blog: A Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner career pathway: an exciting and diverse role
NHS Health Careers: Psychological therapies
NHS Health Careers: Psychological wellbeing practitioner
Senior PWP Group
The Senior PWP Group held its inaugural meeting in October 2014 and meets on a bi-annual basis. The aim of the group is to bring together Senior PWPs working across the North West with a view to sharing best practice, strengthening our voice and promoting parity of esteem.
The group welcomes Senior PWPs (and other PWPs working in senior roles including management and clinical lead roles), and those working in PWP training organisations. The shared agenda includes promoting psychological wellbeing, delivering safe, effective and compassionate psychological care, and promoting the development of this new professional role, to support the development of future leaders of psychological services and encourage innovation.
The group supports the work of the PWP Professional Network, and provides a forum to begin to consider issues which arise for the PWP workforce both at a local and national level, and has already begun to develop relationships with Senior PWPs from the North East and Yorkshire and Humber localities.
The chair of the PWP Professional Network also sits on the PPN North West Workforce Transformation Board.
For more information about the NW Senior PWP Group please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Chair of the Senior PWP Group
24/05/2016 - University of Manchester
22/10/2015 - University of Manchester
27/04/2015 - King's House Conference Centre
- Agenda
- Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner Accreditation & Registration - Steve Flatt, Board Member of the British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP)/Accredited Cognitive Behaviour Therapist
- Workshop: Development of Best Practice Guide for Recruitment of Trainee, Qualified & Agency Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners - Liz Kell, Clinical Service Manager, Think Positive & Katie Kay, Project Manager, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
15/10/2014 - King's House Conference Centre
- Agenda
- Welcome & Aims of the Consultation, Liz Kell, Clinical Service Manager, Think Positive, Bolton Step 2 IAPT Services and Katie Kay, Project Manager, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust, Healthy Minds Tameside & Glossop
- PPN North West & the Development of Professional Networks, Clare Baguley, Programme Manager, Psychological Professions Network, Health Education England’s North West Team
- Data Systems & the Realities of the PWP Working Week, Liz Kell, Clinical Service Manager, Think Positive, Bolton Step 2 IAPT Services
Key Contacts
North East Senior PWP Network: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Chair & This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Deputy Chair
Yorkshire & Humber Senior PWP Network: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Andy Wright & Sarah Boul
2017 Conference
Presentations:
- Celebrating the role of the Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP)
- ACTivate Your Life – An ACT-based Psychoeducation Course
- The Role of the PWP in the North East Prisons
- Expanding the Development of Leadership Roles within the PWP Workforce
- Deaf People and Psychological Therapies
- How Durable is the Effect of Low Intensity CBT?
- The British Psychological Society and the Wider Psychological Workforce
Posters:
- Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners: An Opportunity for New Ways of Working in Occupational Health
- Ways to Wellbeing: A Psycho Educational Wellbeing Intervention: Face-to-Face Versus Online
2016 Conference
Presentations:
- Stress Control: Face Your Fears; Be More Active; Boost Your Wellbeing
- A Multi-Service Practice Research Network Study of Large Group Psychoeducational Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
- Behavioural Activation: Complex versus Simple Models
- Combining Behavioural Activation with Physical Activity Promotion (BAcPAc) for the Treatment of Depression: Development, Preliminary Outcomes and Adaptations
- A PWP Use of Digital Technology
- Case Study: Go With The FLO
- Pain, Mental Health and the PWP Role
- Pain Quiz and Answers
- The Development of a Northern Senior PWP Network
Posters:
- Does Training Physiotherapists in Mental Health Care Improve Patient Outcomes?
- The Disabling Nature of Common Mental Health Problems
- An Outcomes Evaluation of the Implementation of Living Life to the Full Interactive, Sleepio and Breaking Free Online at an Innovative eTherapy service, Self Help
- Developments from the North West Senior PWP Network – Recruitment and Retention Best Practice Guide and PWP Code of Conduct
The PWP Masterclasses were organised for PWPs by PWPs in the North West of England. In collaboration with local universities and service sponsors, the events were organised on a quarterly basis with a focus on increasing clinical skills and supporting the development of the PWP workforce. They provided a valuable opportunity for practitioners to keep up to date with IAPT, to learn about developments in the field of low intensity psychological interventions and share expertise.
23/06/2016 - University of Manchester
Presentations:
- Working with Bereavement and Loss - Dr. Anthony Hickey, University of Salford
- Bereavement & Donor Care - The Alliance Model - Melanie McDougall, Bereavement Specialist Nurse Lead
- Improving Practice In Bereavement Care For Families, Children and Carers - Angela McDonald, Bereavement Trainer For Families and Children
- Funded Study Opportunities for Qualified PWPs
- Useful Contacts following Bereavement
01/09/2015 - University of Central Lancashire
Presentations:
- Introduction to Couple Therapy for Depression - Dr Sabah Khan & Kate Thompson, The Tavistock Centre for Couple Relationships
- Choice In Psychological Therapy - Wendy Saint, Clinical Lead Healthy Minds Bury
09/06/2015 - University of Manchester
Presentations:
- Behaviour Change: Theories & Techniques - Dr Lucie Byrne-Davies and Dr Jo Hart, Manchester Medical School
- Northern IAPT Practice Research Network (PRN) & North West Developments - Dr Janine Archer, The University of Manchester
28/01/2015 - Liverpool John Moores University
Presentations:
- 'The Singer and not the Song - Evidencing Differential Clinical Effectiveness and Efficiency Between PWPs', Dr Steve Kellett, Senior Lecturer & IAPT Programme Lead, The University of Sheffield
- Therapist Effects and IAPT Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners (PWPs): A multilevel modelling and mixed methods analysis, Dr Steve Kellett, Senior Lecturer & IAPT Programme Lead, The University of Sheffield
- Speepio - Sleeping Your Way to Better Mental Health, Dr Sophie Bostock, UK Operations Lead, Sleepio
- Using 'FLO' as an Interactive Information Tool, Katie Kay, Project Manager, Healthy Minds Tameside & Glossop
- Psychodynamic Interpersonal Therapy (PIT) Skills within PWP Practice - Case Study, Emma Salah, Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- Staff Wellbeing Service, Katie Kay, Staff Wellbeing Service Team Manager, Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust
