Mental Health & Wellbeing Practitioner (Peer)- East Lothian DBI

Penumbra Mental Health; Scotland; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

A mental health organization in East Lothian is seeking a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner to provide community-based problem-solving support. The role includes responding to referrals, planning wellness and distress management, and collaborating with agencies. Candidates should have a relevant mental health qualification or community service experience, strong communication skills, and the ability to work within a team. The position offers professional development and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Professional development and training

Supportive team environment

Access to learning experiences

Employee benefits package

Qualifications

• Relevant mental health qualification or experience in community mental health services.
• Understanding of DBI principles or willingness to undergo training.
• Strong communication, empathy and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Valid UK right to work.

Responsibilities

• Respond to referrals within 24 hours to deliver community-based support up to 14 days.
• Provide problem-solving support, wellness and distress management planning.
• Facilitate supported connections, signposting and resource provision.
• Collaborate with frontline agencies to ensure seamless Level 1 and Level 2 support.
• Document and report intervention outcomes in line with organisational procedures.

Skills

Communication

Empathy

Problem-solving

Education

Relevant mental health qualification or experience in community mental health services

Job description

Location: East Lothian

Salary: £24,618 - £25,944 pro rata (£12.62 - £13.30 p/h equivalent)

Full Time – Fixed term until 31 March 2026

If you are looking for a rewarding career and to work within an inspirational team that really does make a difference, this is your opportunity to join our Distress Brief Intervention Service in East Lothian. This is an exciting opportunity to join the delivery of the DBI approach, which has widely been recognised as innovative and pioneering across Scotland.

DBI is a two‑tiered response; a Level 1 response from frontline partnership agencies and Level 2 supportive interventions delivered by Penumbra. A Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner will respond to a referral made on behalf of a person experiencing distress within 24 hours, with the provision of time‑limited support. The Practitioner will then deliver community‑based problem‑solving support, wellness and distress management planning, supported connections and signposting for a period of up to 14 days.

Responsibilities

• Respond to referrals within 24 hours to deliver community‑based support up to 14 days.
• Provide problem‑solving support, wellness and distress management planning.
• Facilitate supported connections, signposting and resource provision.
• Collaborate with frontline agencies to ensure seamless Level 1 and Level 2 support.
• Document and report intervention outcomes in line with organisational procedures.

Qualifications & Experience

• Relevant mental health qualification or experience in community mental health services.
• Understanding of DBI principles or willingness to undergo training.
• Strong communication, empathy and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work independently and within a multidisciplinary team.
• Valid UK right to work.

Benefits & Support

• Professional development and training.
• Supportive team environment and well‑being initiatives.
• Participation in a wide range of staff events and learning opportunities.
• Access to formal and informal learning experiences to advance your career.
• Comprehensive employee benefits package.

Application Process

We cannot consider CVs. All applications must be completed through the application process on our website. If you are unable to complete an online application, please contact us at [e-mail] and we can arrange for a paper copy to be sent to you.

Please note that we cannot offer visa sponsorship. We only accept applications from applicants who currently have the legal right to work in the UK, or who have an application in progress to obtain this right.

Updates and responses to applications will be communicated via our recruitment system. These emails may go into your spam inbox, so please check frequently. To avoid this, add "Penumbra Careers – [e-mail]" to your contact list. You can also check the status of your application by logging into the careers portal.

EEO & Equality

Penumbra is committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, neurodiverse candidates, and candidates with mental health conditions throughout the recruitment process. We will make any reasonable adjustments required to ensure a fair and inclusive process for all. If you think you require reasonable adjustments, please don’t hesitate to contact us at [e-mail].