Do you need to drive for all PWP posts?

[dk200300]

Most of the ones I look at say you need to drive, which I think is really unfair. I can (luckily!) drive but do not have a car and couldn't afford one right now (including even having a parking space in London!)

Why do they require this?

[baa]

It depends on the location and how the service is set up. I am in a rural service and we have to trek all over the place to various bases and locations. Public transport just doesn't work around here.

[SuzC]

Exactly what Baa said -I have worked in services where the PWP's don't move from the same office all day. In others, they might be in one place one day, another the next. Personally -I've never heard of any where PWP's move around too much within the same working day, but I have a limited knowledge. Within London, the transport links are generally pretty good, so it might be less of an issue.

[fairywings]

Yes it would depend on the geographical area which the service covers. I've worked in 3 different services and in each one there has been PWP's who don't drive. Managers have tried to accommodate where possible by giving them surgeries close to a train station or on a bus route however there is still the expectation that you would need to carry a box of resources with you e.g. for psycho educational groups. It maybe worth ringing the contact within the job advert and talking to them about it before you apply to see how much of a need it is for that service.

[Tabitha]

I didn't need to, got the train to work, walked to the GP surgery/hospitals where my clinics were. Trains were a bit of a nightmare when being late in the mornings though!

[graduateak]

When I was applying to IAPT trainee and qualified posts (without a driving licence) most adverts said that driving was either essential or desirable. However, I still applied to a quite a few of these posts, explaining that although I didn't drive yet I was willing to travel as required using other available means. I was very fortunate in being offered interviews and job offers for services that had specified access to a car (although I imagine a fair few ruled me out straight away). The jobs that I accepted did involve some travel, as on certain days I would be working in 2 or 3 different venues, and getting between these would have been a lot easier with a car. However, it was doable and it did show that its sometimes worth applying to these posts.

[nomnom]

Like above, I would still apply as I did this. I was willing to travel and luckily my service made a point of giving me clinics close to where I lived so it worked out well.

Good luck