DBI Practitioner (REC1743)

Scottish Action for Mental Health; Bathgate; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health charity in Bathgate seeks a DBI Practitioner to provide essential support in mental health across various regions. The role involves compassionate communication, collaborating with partner agencies, and developing coping strategies. Candidates should possess excellent organizational and IT skills. Access to own transport is essential. This position offers a fixed-term contract with 35 hours of work per week.

Qualifications

• Ability to provide compassionate support through various communication channels.
• Experience in collaborating with partner agencies such as Police Scotland.

Responsibilities

• Provide compassionate guidance through face-to-face, telephone, and video support.
• Develop coping strategies and conduct accurate data recording.
• Make appropriate referrals and signposting.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Strong listening skills

Organizational skills

IT skills

Job description

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. Today, we operate over 70 services in communities across Scotland, providing mental health social care support, addictions and employment services, among others. Together with national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention, and physical activity and sport, these services inform SAMH’s policy and campaign work to influence positive social change. Access to own car is essential.

SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

For Scotland’s Mental Health

Ref: REC1743

Hours: 35 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term

About the Role

DBI (Distress Brief Intervention) are looking to recruit a DBI Practitioner to provide support in West Lothian but will be required to work across the Scottish Borders and West Dunbartonshire areas. This post is 35 hours per week with core hours from Monday to Friday, 10am – 6pm. Some evening and weekend work may be required.

DBI is a non-clinical intervention, consisting of two parts:

1. Level 1: Trained front-line staff such as health, police, ambulance, and primary care staff help ease distress, provide compassionate responses, and offer seamless referrals to DBI Level 2 services where appropriate.
2. Level 2: Provided by trained third sector staff (SAMH), contacting individuals within 24 hours of referral and offering community-based support, distress management planning, signposting, and referrals for up to 14 days.

For more details, visit: https://www.dbi.scot/

What we are looking for

The DBI Practitioner role is impactful, requiring excellent communication, listening, organizational, and IT skills, along with a mature attitude to support individuals in achieving their outcomes.

The role involves providing compassionate guidance through face-to-face, telephone, and video support, exploring distress, developing coping strategies, and making appropriate referrals and signposting. Accurate data recording and distress management plan completion are essential.

You will collaborate with partner agencies such as Police Scotland, Primary Care, CMHT, and Ambulance Service.

Training specific to Level 2 Distress Brief Intervention will be provided.

Access to own transport is essential.

Closing date for applications: Thursday, 14th August 2025 at 12 noon.

Applicants will need to be PVG Scheme members, have the right to work in the UK, and provide proof of qualifications.

We welcome applications from individuals who have experienced mental health difficulties.

Please note: We may close this vacancy early if we receive many applications. Early submission is encouraged.

SAMH is committed to equality and diversity, aiming for a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We particularly welcome applications from those with lived mental health experience and from minority communities.