diff --git a/app/json_models.py b/app/json_models.py
index 1f260aaa8..5f957a2c4 100644
--- a/app/json_models.py
+++ b/app/json_models.py
@@ -9,7 +9,6 @@ class JSONModel(ABC):
         pass
 
     def __init__(self, _dict):
-        self._dict = _dict
         for property in self.ALLOWED_PROPERTIES:
             setattr(self, property, _dict[property])
 
@@ -20,10 +19,12 @@ class JSONModel(ABC):
 class TemplateJSONModel(JSONModel):
     ALLOWED_PROPERTIES = {
         'archived',
+        'content',
         'id',
         'postage',
         'process_type',
         'reply_to_text',
+        'subject',
         'template_type',
         'version',
     }
diff --git a/app/notifications/process_notifications.py b/app/notifications/process_notifications.py
index 4b5b83360..826177bd3 100644
--- a/app/notifications/process_notifications.py
+++ b/app/notifications/process_notifications.py
@@ -50,12 +50,29 @@ REDIS_GET_AND_INCR_DAILY_LIMIT_DURATION_SECONDS = Histogram(
 
 def create_content_for_notification(template, personalisation):
     if template.template_type == EMAIL_TYPE:
-        template_object = PlainTextEmailTemplate(template._dict, personalisation)
+        template_object = PlainTextEmailTemplate(
+            {
+                'content': template.content,
+                'subject': template.subject,
+                'template_type': template.template_type,
+            },
+            personalisation,
+        )
     if template.template_type == SMS_TYPE:
-        template_object = SMSMessageTemplate(template._dict, personalisation)
+        template_object = SMSMessageTemplate(
+            {
+                'content': template.content,
+                'template_type': template.template_type,
+            },
+            personalisation,
+        )
     if template.template_type == LETTER_TYPE:
         template_object = LetterPrintTemplate(
-            template._dict,
+            {
+                'content': template.content,
+                'subject': template.subject,
+                'template_type': template.template_type,
+            },
             personalisation,
             contact_block=template.reply_to_text,
         )
diff --git a/tests/app/notifications/test_process_notification.py b/tests/app/notifications/test_process_notification.py
index 58355fd97..a0bb3cc1a 100644
--- a/tests/app/notifications/test_process_notification.py
+++ b/tests/app/notifications/test_process_notification.py
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ from tests.app.db import create_service, create_template, create_api_key
 def test_create_content_for_notification_passes(sample_email_template):
     template = get_template_model(sample_email_template.id, sample_email_template.service_id)
     content = create_content_for_notification(template, None)
-    assert str(content) == template._dict['content'] + '\n'
+    assert str(content) == template.content + '\n'
 
 
 def test_create_content_for_notification_with_placeholders_passes(sample_template_with_placeholders):
@@ -37,7 +37,7 @@ def test_create_content_for_notification_with_placeholders_passes(sample_templat
         sample_template_with_placeholders.id, sample_template_with_placeholders.service_id
     )
     content = create_content_for_notification(template, {'name': 'Bobby'})
-    assert content.content == template._dict['content']
+    assert content.content == template.content
     assert 'Bobby' in str(content)