Counselling jobs in Castleside

Join Our Team as a Senior Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner
Location: HMPYOI Deerbolt

Rethink Mental Illness work alongside Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and Humber, Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to deliver an integrated stepped care mental health service within HMPYO Deepbolt.
The team compromises a range of highly skilled professionals who work collaboratively to provide the highest quality of care, for those with mental health needs within the prison and for Rethink Mental Illness employees, this is carried out between 0800 – 1600 Monday to Friday.
As we work across both sites, there may be some travel involved, but this will be done in work time and expenses paid to support service delivery.

• The applicant must have a full UK Driving Licence with access to a vehicle.

What I will do and achieve:
We are seeking a motivated and compassionate professional to join our team, delivering high-quality mental health support within the criminal justice system. This role combines clinical expertise, partnership working, and leadership to make a real difference in people’s lives.

• Manage referrals and assess suitability in line with service protocols.
• Provide person-centred assessments and low-intensity interventions to support recovery.
• Deliver evidence-based interventions using a self-management approach.
• Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams and external agencies for continuity of care.
• Offer clinical and management supervision to junior staff, modelling best practice.
• Maintain accurate records and outcome data in line with operational policies.
• Monitor performance and contribute to audits and service improvement initiatives.
• Adopt a flexible, solution-focused approach to overcome challenges and strive for excellence

Key Responsibilities & Commitments

• Data Protection Compliance

Act in full accordance with Data Protection legislation and ensure all personal, staff, and client records are managed in line with Data Management and Information Governance policies, relevant legislation, and contractual obligations.

• Policy & Security Adherence

Follow all HMPPS policies, procedures, and security restrictions, as well as the charity’s Health & Safety and Safeguarding policies. Promptly report any concerns to your line manager.

• Legal & Regulatory Compliance

Comply with all legal requirements, including the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, and adhere to national policies, local operating procedures, and standards set by external regulators or professional bodies.

• Professional Development

Participate in regular supervision and appraisal sessions, and undertake relevant training to maintain high standards of practice.

• Flexibility & Additional Duties

Be prepared to take on other reasonable tasks and projects as directed by your line manager, in line with the role’s profile and grade

Essential skills and experience:

• Qualified PWP: Successfully completed academic training in line with the IAPT Low Intensity National Programme (e.g., Postgraduate Diploma in Psychological Therapies).
• Accreditation: PWP accreditation with BABCP or BPS.
• Supervision Skills: Completed or working towards IAPT supervision training, with experience in a supervisory role.
• Clinical Expertise: Significant post-qualification experience delivering the full range of evidence-based IAPT low-intensity interventions at Step 2.
• Assessment procedures, screening, referral, record-keeping.
• IAPT-compliant Step 2 ways of working.
• Outcome measures for clinical and audit purposes.
• Ability to build strong therapeutic relationships and work in a non-discriminatory manner.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience in routine outcome monitoring and audits to improve practice.
• Technical Skills: Proficient in Microsoft Office and clinical record systems (e.g., System One, IAPTUS).
• Calm, positive, and professional under pressure.
• Strong organisational skills with ability to prioritise and adapt to changing demands.
• Team player with high levels of professionalism and positivity.
• Willingness to use supervision constructively and seek continuous improvement.

If you’re passionate about empowering individuals, reducing stigma, and improving mental health outcomes, we’d love to hear from you!

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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.

Our commitment to inclusion
We're proud to be a Disability Confident Employer and a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We're also committed to becoming a truly anti-racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider supported by a multi-year equity, diversity and inclusion programme of work. For more information please view https://www.rethink.org/media/hdtjjy5b/revised-edi-plan-rethink.pdf

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.