Health and Wellbeing Practitioner

Location: Sutton

Salary: £27,007.5 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time

Closing Date: 5th September 2025

Are you passionate about supporting people in their recovery journey? Do you thrive in fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environments? If so, The Forward Trust is looking for someone like you to join our dynamic team at HMP Highdown as a Health & Wellbeing Practitioner.

About the Role

Working within a prison-based Health & Wellbeing framework, you'll provide psychosocial support to individuals aged 18+ with substance misuse and/or low-level mental health needs. Based on-site, you'll collaborate closely with colleagues across mental health, healthcare, and the prison system to deliver trauma-informed, recovery-oriented care.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of service users, delivering 1:1 support and group interventions
• Conduct comprehensive assessments and co-produce individualised care plans
• Provide harm reduction advice, support detox plans, and contribute to clinical interventions
• Facilitate structured group sessions and workshops
• Support release planning and ensure seamless through-care into community services
• Act as a second signatory where required
• Accurately record all work and contribute to meeting service delivery targets

What We're Looking For:

We're looking for someone who brings the following experience and skills:

• Experience in Mental Health or Substance Misuse Services
• Proven background in supporting individuals with mental health needs or substance misuse issues, ideally within a structured service setting.
• Strong IT Proficiency
• Comfortable using digital systems and able to maintain accurate, up-to-date records efficiently.
• Proactive and Solution-Focused
• Quick to respond to challenges with initiative and a forward-thinking approach.
• Resilient and Growth-Oriented
• Able to learn from setbacks, stay motivated under pressure, and continually seek opportunities for personal and professional development.
• Adaptable and Flexible
• Thrives in dynamic, fast-paced environments and can adjust to shifting priorities and demands.
• Confident Communicator
• Communicates clearly and concisely, maintains strong eye contact, and demonstrates self-assurance in professional interactions.
• Collaborative Team Player
• Works effectively with colleagues, contributing positively to team goals and fostering a supportive working environment.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often-interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme - Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years' service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Diversity at Forward Trust

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with 'Lived Experience' of addiction, offending, or homelessness.

When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

We recognise the importance of safeguarding, dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the 'Eligibility to Work in the UK' requirements.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Forward Trust, please click applyto be redirected to their website to complete your application.