Psychological Therapies Training Centre offered full five‑year validation following University of Manchester review
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMMH)’s Psychological Therapies Training Centre (PTTC) is pleased to announce the successful outcome of its periodic review by the University of Manchester (UoM), resulting in full validation of all programmes for a further five years.
The PTTC It is one of the few non-university organisations offering postgraduate-level psychological therapies training, providing training to hundreds of skilled mental health practitioners across the UK each year.
Over a two‑day visit to the PTTC, a UoM review panel undertook a comprehensive evaluation of the PTTC’s training provision. This included scrutiny of programme design, academic standards, assessment processes, governance structures, trainee support, and the quality of partnerships with NHS services.
The panel met with staff, trainees, clinical partners, and senior leaders to gain a detailed understanding of how the Centre delivers high‑quality psychological therapies education at scale.
The University commended the PTTC for several areas of excellence, including:
- High‑quality teaching and assessment, underpinned by robust governance and quality assurance processes.
- Highly positive trainee feedback which emphasised the high-quality training, supportive staff and life-changing nature of the programmes.
- Strong pastoral and academic support including proactive tutor meetings, personalised learning plans, and exceptional efforts to support non-traditional learners.
- Robust tutorial and supervision structures with tutors maintaining consistent relationships with trainees and liaising closely with service managers.
- The use of authentic assessments, such as OSCE-style evaluations involving parent assessors, which meaningfully reflect real-world clinical practice.
- Strong staff retention and wellbeing with low sickness absence and a committed, stable workforce despite increasing demands.
- Commitment to widening access including alternative entry routes, contextual recruitment, and demonstrable impact on workforce diversity.
- Strong academic and clinical integration, ensuring programmes remain closely aligned with NHS workforce needs.
- Effective partnerships with NHS England and local services, supporting strong placement experiences and high levels of graduate employability.
Following the review, the University confirmed that all PTTC programmes continue to meet the required academic and professional standards, granting full re‑validation for a further 5 years.
Dr Freda McManus, Head of Service at the PTTC, said:
“We are delighted with the outcome of the review. The University’s commendations reflect the dedication of our staff, the strength of our partnerships with NHS England and our local service provider partners, and our shared commitment to developing a highly skilled psychological therapies workforce.”
The successful re‑validation ensures that the PTTC can continue to deliver accredited, high‑quality training programmes that lead directly to professional recognition and employment within the NHS. It confirms that the Centre’s courses remain academically rigorous, clinically relevant, and aligned with national priorities for mental health workforce expansion.
The Psychological Therapies Training Centre offers a range of training programmes, ranging from year long post-graduate Diplomas to one day CPD events. More details are available on at: https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/gmwcbt, or, visit https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/pttc-masterclasses for more information about the PTTC’s one or two-day Masterclass events.
