If you have a background in psychology or social sciences and want to step into clinical practice within a supportive environment, this position offers a brilliant entry point. Working within a specialized tertiary service focused on complex emotional needs and trauma, you will find yourself surrounded by a dedicated multidisciplinary team. This is a rare chance to develop hands-on clinical skills while contributing to structured therapeutic programmes like Dialectical Behaviour Therapy.
Cardiff provides a vibrant backdrop for your career progression, blending city life with excellent transport links and lower living costs than many other major British cities. The health board is actively welcoming international talent by confirming that visa sponsorship is genuinely available for suitable overseas job seekers. This makes it an incredibly attractive route if you need a Skilled Worker visa to establish your healthcare career in the United Kingdom.
Stepping into this environment means you will be involved in meaningful, outcome-driven care that helps vulnerable individuals navigate their recovery pathways. The salary package ranges from £28,819 to £31,626 annually, depending on experience, and comes with full NHS benefits and pension structures. It is a highly competitive post that promises to elevate your clinical portfolio significantly.
Job Overview
| Field | Details |
| Job Title | Assistant Psychological Therapy Practitioner |
| Employer | Cardiff and Vale University Health Board |
| Location | Cardiff, Wales |
| Salary | £28,819 – £31,626 / Year |
| Contract Type | Full Time |
| Hours | Not specified |
| Visa Sponsorship Status | Visa Sponsorship Available |
| Closing Date | 26 May 2026 |
| Interview Date | Not specified |
What You’d Actually Be Doing
- Evaluate clinical outcomes by conducting clinical interviews and administering formal outcome measures to track service user progress objectively in a busy tertiary environment.
- Co-facilitate therapeutic groups within an established Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme, giving you direct exposure to group dynamics and practical therapeutic interventions.
- Manage clinical data by accurately recording health data and contributing directly to service evaluations and clinical audits aimed at improving service delivery.
- Support youth transitions by gathering structured information on the unique experiences of high-risk young people moving from child to adult mental health services.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure formulation-driven, trauma-informed care plan objectives are achieved smoothly during fast-paced daily handovers.
Who They’re Looking For
Essential Criteria
- Eligibility for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society or a relevant degree/diploma in social sciences, counselling, teaching or training.
- Proven involvement in service evaluations or clinical audits where data management was a key requirement.
- Solid understanding of complex emotional needs and the evidence base for applying psychological interventions.
- Clear understanding of the Mental Health Act, Matrics Cymru and the Psychological Therapies Plan.
Desirable Criteria
- Previous practical experience in care work or healthcare support environments.
- Experience working directly with service users who have a diagnosis of Personality Disorder.
- Demonstrable knowledge of the main psychological therapy models and familiarity with NICE guidance for Borderline Personality Disorder and self-harm management.
If you meet the educational background but lack extensive clinical hours, do not let that hold you back from applying, as the team values passion, trauma-informed potential and strong analytical skills.
What Most Applicants Get Wrong
- Submitting a generic CV that fails to highlight data management and service evaluation experience. Many applicants focus entirely on their theoretical knowledge of psychology whilst overlooking the practical audit and data processing requirements of an assistant practitioner post.
- Neglecting to reference specific local guidelines like Matrics Cymru and the Welsh Psychological Therapies Plan. Candidates frequently write applications tailored strictly to English frameworks, forgetting that Wales operates under its own distinct healthcare policies and terminology.
- Underestimating the importance of demonstrating emotional resilience during scenarios involving high-risk service users. Applicants often focus heavily on clinical theory rather than explaining how they maintain personal boundaries and handle emotive atmospheres safely.
How to Apply (and Actually Get Noticed)
- Click through to the official recruitment listing provided below to view the full specification and details.
- Draft a comprehensive supporting statement that explicitly addresses every single item listed in the essential criteria, using clear subheadings if necessary.
- Highlight any experience you have with Dialectical Behaviour Therapy principles or trauma-informed care models within your previous academic projects or care roles.
- Double-check your data management examples, ensuring you clearly state your exact role in any previous audit or research project.
- Submit your formal application via the standard NHS jobs portal before the closing date on 26 May 2026.
Visa and Eligibility
The health board welcomes applications from international candidates requiring visa sponsorship. Because this role is a qualified clinical position within the healthcare sector, it is highly eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route, provided the applicant satisfies the core academic and professional thresholds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this assistant practitioner job offer visa sponsorship for international applicants?
Yes, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board provides Skilled Worker visa sponsorship for suitable international job seekers who meet the necessary educational requirements.
What qualifications do I need for this assistant psychological therapy post?
You must hold a degree or diploma in a relevant field such as social science, counselling, teaching or training, or be eligible for Graduate Membership of the British Psychological Society.
Where is this assistant psychological therapy role located?
The position is based in Cardiff, Wales, operating within the specialized tertiary services managed by the local university health board.
What is the salary range for this healthcare position in Cardiff?
The salary for this full-time role ranges from £28,819 to £31,626 per annum, aligned with standard NHS band scales.
What specific therapeutic approaches does this service utilize?
The team runs an established Dialectical Behaviour Therapy programme and utilizes formulation-driven, trauma-informed care approaches for its service users.
When is the final deadline to submit an application?
The closing date for submitting your completed application through the official channel is 26 May 2026.
Is prior experience with personality disorders required for this role?
No, experience working with service users with a diagnosis of Personality Disorder is listed as a desirable criterion rather than a mandatory requirement.
Official Application Link
You can read the full specification and submit your forms online via the Assistant Psychological Therapy Practitioner position at Cardiff and Vale University Health Board portal.
