Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Rethink Mental Illness; Acklington; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 31,000; Full time

Job summary

Rethink Mental Illness is recruiting a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) to join our integrated mental health team at HMP Durham. You will support individuals with mild to moderate anxiety and depression using low‑intensity CBT‑based interventions.

Typically four days per week in service and one day at university, with full attendance a contractual requirement. This training post blends university study with practical prison-based experience, helping people develop skills to

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in a relevant subject (e.g., psychology, nursing, social work, OT).
• Experience working within mental health.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to completing the required PWP university training programme.
• Full driving license and access to transport.

Responsibilities

• Assessing and supporting people experiencing common mental health difficulties.
• Delivering guided self-help and low-intensity CBT-based interventions.
• Managing a caseload and maintaining accurate clinical records.
• Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Participating in supervision and ongoing professional development.
• Supporting individuals on their recovery journey and promoting positive wellbeing outcomes.

Skills

Excellent communication

Interpersonal skills

Education

Degree or diploma in a relevant subject

Job description

Location: HMP Northumberland

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £28,392 (AFC Band 4)

Contract: Permanent

Help transform lives through mental health support in a unique and rewarding environment

At Rethink Mental Illness, we're passionate about making a meaningful difference to the lives of people affected by mental illness. We are looking for a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner (PWP) to join our integrated mental health team at HMP Durham, supporting individuals with mild to moderate anxiety and depression through evidence-based interventions.

This is an exciting opportunity to train as a PWP while gaining valuable clinical experience within a prison setting. You'll combine university study with practical experience, helping people develop the skills and confidence to manage their mental health and move towards recovery.

About The Role

As a Trainee PWP, you'll work as part of a multidisciplinary mental health team delivering low-intensity psychological interventions based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) principles. You'll provide guided self-help, psychoeducational support, and assessments through both one-to-one and group formats.

Typically, you'll spend four days per week in service and one day attending university. Full attendance and engagement with the academic programme, is a contractual requirement.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Assessing and supporting people experiencing common mental health difficulties.
• Delivering guided self-help and low-intensity CBT-based interventions.
• Managing a caseload and maintaining accurate clinical records.
• Working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Participating in supervision and ongoing professional development.
• Supporting individuals on their recovery journey and promoting positive wellbeing outcomes.

About The Service

Rethink Mental Illness works in partnership with Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and Teesside Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to deliver integrated stepped-care mental health services across prisons in the North East.

What we're looking for

Essential Requirements

• Degree or diploma in a relevant subject, for example psychology, nursing, social work, occupational therapy
• Experience working within mental health.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to completing the required PWP university training programme.
• Full driving license and access to transport.

Why join Rethink Mental Illness?

You’ll receive professional support, supervision, and structured learning while making a lasting impact on people’s lives.

Why join Rethink Mental Illness?

We believe people do their best work when they feel supported, valued and able to be themselves. You’ll benefit from:

• An inclusive culture, with colleague-led staff networks for Disability & Neurodiversity, Race & Ethnicity, LGBTQIA+, Gender Equality and Menopause.
• Flexible working and 25 days' annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with the option to buy or sell leave.
• Wellbeing support including our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Champions and Unmind.
• Learning and development opportunities to help you grow your career.
• Financial and family benefits including a contributory pension, enhanced family leave and travel schemes.
• Recognition and rewards including discounts, cashback offers and a Blue Light Card.
• Referral bonus where you can earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.

We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences and want everyone to have the opportunity to demonstrate their skills and experience. If you need reasonable adjustments during recruitment or when in your role, please let us know and we will work with you to understand what support you need.