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Entry Criteria

1. Undergraduate degree or evidence of ability to study successfully at level 6 (third year of undergraduate degree)

Candidates must be able to demonstrate learning equivalent to level 6 higher education study.  This needs to be evidenced by a formal qualification, preferably in a health or psychology related subject.  A candidate may have an undergraduate degree in a different subject, however the course would require evidence of additional study in a health or psychology related subject from the candidate. Ideally, this would also be at level 6, however other levels of formal qualification in a health or psychology related subject, in conjunction with a previous level 6 qualification, will be considered.

2. Professional training or evidence of meeting knowledge, skills and attitudes (KSA) equivalent to professional training

Candidates from registered professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply to the HIPI course and will find they have a variety of transferable skills relevant to the course and role.

Recognised professional qualifications are:

• Arts Therapists – HCPC Registered
• Counselling – Accredited with the BACP, IACP, COSCA, or FDAP (NCAC), or Registered Member CPC
• Medicine – Psychiatrist or General Practitioner, MBChB or MBBS, and usually PG training with membership of MRCGP, MRCP or MRCPsych
• Occupational Therapy – BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MSc Occupational Therapy, or Dip C.O.T and HCPC Registered
• Probation Services – DipPS
• Psychology – 1st degree plus a post-graduate qualification (MSc or Doctorate) in an applied area such as clinical, counselling, educational, forensic, health psychology. HCPC Registered as Practitioner Psychologist (HCPC registration alone insufficient)
• Psychotherapy / Psychotherapeutic Counselling with UKCP Registration
• Registered Nurse – Mental Health (RMN), or Learning Disability (general nursing and enrolled nursing is insufficient)
• Social Work – CQSW, DipSW or BA/BSc Hons Social Work
• Teacher of Special Education / Needs – CertEd, B.Ed, or BA/BSc with PGCE, plus additional specialist training in Special Education, with additional counselling / psychotherapy training

Candidates who do not have a core professional background and qualification are also welcome and encouraged to apply to the course and will need to compile a KSA portfolio for selection.

3. Two years’ clinical mental health experience including relevant experience gained during or after any professional or KSA equivalent training

Candidates from a core professional background should demonstrate a minimum of 2 years post qualification experience. Candidates from a PWP or non-registered professional background will need to demonstrate a minimum of 2 years post qualification background alongside their ability to meet the relevant criteria outlined in the KSA.  Experience relevant to the HIPI role includes: aspects of care co-ordination, building therapeutic alliances with patients, following care plans, delivering treatment plans, risk assessment and management, receiving supervision, working as part of a team, assessment and understanding of mental illness and the impact on service users, their family and wider community, and understanding of care pathways. 

The following non-registered professional roles are likely to enable a candidate to develop the relevant skills and experiences, though this is in not an exhaustive list: support worker (adult mental health, older adults, children and young people, learning disability), counsellors, outreach workers, assistant psychology roles, drug and alcohol workers, key workers.

Candidates without a core professional background must evidence their ability to meet the KSA and also must be able to demonstrate how their experiences have enabled them to acquire skills and abilities applicable to the role.  A minimum of 2 years’ experience within or across these roles is necessary.

4. Availability to attend university two days per week in conjunction with a minimum of two further days in high-intensity CBT clinical practice per week for the period of the training course

The training course is delivered over 2 days per week.  Trainees are typically employed within local IAPT services where they will complete 3 days of clinical practice during their training.  Trainees will need a minimum of 2 days of clinical practice each week to enable them to acquire the required clinical hours for the course.

5. Applicants should demonstrate evidence of interpersonal skills to engage and develop working alliances with colleagues and patients

Interpersonal skills will be assessed via role play during selection.  Evidence of the ability to develop effective working and therapeutic relationships with colleagues and patients is an essential prerequisite for the training.

6. Applicants should show evidence of an openness to learning new knowledge and skills

This is an experiential course. There are high demands throughout and an ongoing expectation that trainees will engage in regular supervision, self-practice/self-reflection groups, skills practice and experiential learning.  An ability to demonstrate an interest in research and literature searches with skills in applying theory to clinical practice is advantageous to the role.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a KSA?

The Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) is a portfolio required for any candidate who does not have a registered professional background.  Please see links below for more info:

 

University Of 91Ö±²¥ guidance on the KSA Portfolio

My KSA is incomplete.  Can I get a place on the course?

The course requires a complete KSA (or complete condensed KSA, in line with BABCP requirements for the candidate’s professional background) at the point of interview.  Any offer of a training place is conditional on the KSA being assessed as meeting the required standards by one of the course KSA assessors.  KSA's that do not meet the required stanadrds will be returned to the candidate and the offer of the place will be revoked.  We are unable to provide feedback to unsuccessful candidates.  Any candidate who does not hold a core profession, and is unable to present a KSA on the day of the interview, will not be interviewed.  We hold 2 KSA preparation workshops annually, more details can be found by contacting IAPTAdmin@sheffiled.ac.uk.

What relevant experiences do I need for the course?

Candidates need at least 2 years’ experience working or volunteering in a role that has gained them access to developing skills in assessment and treatment of mental health problems, building therapeutic alliances and receiving supervision. 

I’ve not completed the PWP training (Post Graduate Certificate in Low Intensity Psychological Interventions), can I apply for HIPI training?

Completing PWP training is not a pre-requisite for the course.  Candidates from a range of backgrounds with a variety of experiences are welcome and encouraged to apply.  Candidates must evidence their ability to meet the KSA, have evidence of a level 6 qualification (either in a health or psychology related subject, or in conjunction with further study in a health or psychology related subject), and have a minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience.

I am not employed with an IAPT service; can I apply for HIPI training?

At the present time the only route into HIPI training is via employment within an IAPT service because the training places are funded by Health Education England and the course is delivered to meet the needs of the expanding psychological workforce.

I only have voluntary experience; can I apply for HIPI training?

Candidates need at least 2 years’ experience working or volunteering in a role that has gained them access to developing skills in assessment and treatment of mental health problems, building therapeutic alliances and receiving supervision.  This does not need to be paid employment but you must be able to demonstrate at interview your ability to meet the KSA and also evidence the skills you have acquired that would be transferable to the role.

I have personal experience of mental illness but no employment or voluntary work in the area.  Can I apply?

Candidates need experience that has gained them access to developing skills in assessment and treatment of mental health problems, building therapeutic alliances and receiving supervision.  This does not need to be paid employment but you must be able to demonstrate at interview your ability to meet the KSA and also evidence the skills you have acquired that would be transferable to the role.