Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner

Rethink Mental Illness; York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health charity in York is seeking a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner to provide CBT-based interventions in a prison environment. The role requires university attendance and a strong commitment to training and academic work. This position offers flexible working options, generous leave, and a supportive team environment.

Benefits

PULSE: Benefits platform with discounts

Wagestream: Access to pay

Wellbeing support

Flexible working

Generous annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Referral bonus

Qualifications

• Completion of an approved university course related to psychological wellbeing.
• 100% attendance at university and commitment to the high volume of academic work.
• Must be a driver.

Responsibilities

• Provide low‑intensity, high‑volume CBT‑based interventions to clients.
• Deliver guided self‑help in both 1:1 and group formats.
• Attend university classes and complete academic requirements.
• Work closely with the integrated mental health team.
• Transition to a permanent qualified position after course completion.

Skills

CBT-based interventions

1:1 and group delivering

Commitment to academic work

Driving

Education

Approved university course in psychological wellbeing

Job description

We are looking for Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners to work alongside an integrated mental health team based at HMP Millsike. Imagine being part of an organisation whose common purpose is to help those who are severely impacted by mental illness. We believe that everyone should be treated with respect and dignity – and that equity is one of our core values.

Role Overview

As a Trainee Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner, you will work as part of an integrated primary care mental health team within the prison to train in and provide high-volume, low-intensity interventions. These include a range of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) based self‑management interventions for clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression, delivering guided self‑help in both 1:1 and group formats in line with the current Step 2 guidelines. Typically the role will involve 4 days of base work per week and 1 day of university attendance per week, though the ratio may vary throughout the academic year depending on the university attended. Attendance at university is mandatory and the training year involves a high volume of academic work.

Responsibilities

• Provide low‑intensity, high‑volume CBT‑based interventions to clients with mild to moderate anxiety and depression.
• Deliver guided self‑help in both 1:1 and group formats following Step 2 guidelines.
• Attend university classes and complete the academic requirements of the training programme.
• Work closely with the integrated mental health team, including Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners, Health and Wellbeing Coaches, Care Navigators and other staff.
• Upon completion of the university course and the probationary period, transition automatically to a permanent qualified position on AfC Band 5, provided the university course is successfully completed.

Qualifications & Eligibility

• Completion of an approved university course related to psychological wellbeing.
• 100% attendance at university and commitment to the high volume of academic work.
• Must be a driver.

Benefits

• PULSE: Recognition, rewards, wellbeing, and benefits platform offering thousands of discounts, cashback and reloadable cards.
• Wagestream: Instant access to up to 50% of pay, library of expert tools and articles, and a rainy‑day pot.
• Wellbeing support via the Wellbeing hub and BUPA Employee Assistance Programme with appointment access.
• Flexible working – choose where and when you work.
• Generous annual leave starting at 25 days rising to 30 days, plus bank holidays and birthday off.
• Opportunity to buy and sell annual leave.
• Contributory pension scheme.
• Structured Corporate Induction and onboarding support.
• £300 referral bonus when you introduce a friend or family member.

Diversity & Inclusion

We are a leading charity provider of mental health services in England and we actively support and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of mental illness, ethnic diversity, LGBTQIA+ identities, neurodiversity, health conditions or disabilities, and diverse ages, religions, orientations, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political views, or socio-economic status. We are proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. Our goal is to become a truly anti‑racist, inclusive and engaged employer and to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

How to Apply

We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. Applicants must be drivers. For further details, please visit our website or follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn to find out more about the work we do.