Suicide Bereavement Practitioner

NHS; Swindon; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local mental health charity in Swindon is seeking a compassionate Suicide Bereavement Practitioner to provide support to individuals, families, and communities affected by suicide. This role involves emotional assistance, building personalized support plans, and collaboration with agencies such as the NHS. The charity offers training, flexible working arrangements, and promotes a culture of wellbeing. Candidates should have experience in health or social care and a GCSE in English and Maths.

Benefits

Flexible working arrangements

Generous leave

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of working in health, social care, bereavement, or voluntary sector settings.
• Experience of supporting individuals experiencing trauma, loss, or crisis.
• Experience of working with vulnerable groups and those with complex needs.

Responsibilities

• Provide emotional and practical support to people affected by suicide.
• Offer one-to-one sessions and facilitate supportive groups.
• Build personalised support plans and maintain regular contact.

Skills

Empathy

Communication

Supportive guidance

Collaboration

Education

GCSE Grade A to C in English and Maths

Job description

Job Summary

Are you passionate about supporting people through some of life's most difficult moments? Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind is seeking a compassionate and resilient Suicide Bereavement Practitioner to join our dedicated team. This unique role offers the opportunity to make a real difference to individuals, families, and communities affected by suicide, providing timely, sensitive, and practical support when it is most needed.

As part of our team, you'll be a steady presence for those navigating grief and trauma, offering reassurance, guidance, and connection to wider services. You will also be part of a collaborative network, working closely with NHS partners, coroners, schools, and local authorities to ensure a seamless community response to suicide bereavement.

We are committed to supporting your professional development through specialist training, regular supervision, and CPD opportunities. With flexible working arrangements, generous leave, and a culture that prioritises wellbeing, you'll find both purpose and support in this role. If you're looking for meaningful work where your skills can bring hope and healing, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties of the job

As a Suicide Bereavement Practitioner, you will provide both emotional and practical support to people affected by suicide. This includes offering one-to-one sessions, facilitating supportive groups, and helping individuals navigate complex processes such as inquests, funeral planning, or liaising with workplaces and statutory agencies.

You'll play a key role in building personalised support plans, listening with empathy, and helping people develop strategies for coping and recovery. In addition, you will maintain regular contact to ensure continuity of care, respond sensitively to changes in need, and make timely referrals to specialist or crisis services where appropriate.

About Us

Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind is an independent local mental health charity that has supported communities for over 25 years. Our mission is to ensure that every person is recognised, valued, and supported, and we work tirelessly to improve mental health, reduce inequalities, and deliver services that make a real difference.

Our values of selflessness, integrity, accountability, openness, honesty, objectivity, and leadership guide us every day. They shape how we support our staff and those who use our services, creating an environment of trust, respect, and compassion.

Person Specification

Essential:

• Experience of working in health, social care, bereavement, or voluntary sector settings.
• Experience of supporting individuals experiencing trauma, loss, or crisis.
• Experience of working with vulnerable groups and those with complex needs.
• Experience of multi-agency working and partnership collaboration.
• GCSE Grade A to C in English and Maths.
• Willingness to undertake specialist suicide bereavement or postvention training.

Desirable:

• Experience of facilitating groups, peer support, or community workshops.
• Experience of working within a suicide bereavement or postvention service.
• Training or qualifications in a related field (e.g. counselling, social work, mental health, advocacy).
• Accreditation in Mental Health First Aid, ASIST, or Suicide First Aid.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check: This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.