At a Glance
- Tasks: Support the wellbeing of prison leavers through coaching and holistic care.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness, a leader in mental health support.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days annual leave, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and reduce stigma.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health support and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 24544 - 26501 £ per year.
Location: HMP Durham and Cleveland (travel required across this area)
Salary - £24,544 - £26,501 per annum
Rethink Mental Illness works alongside Tees, Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust (TEWV) and Teaching NHS Foundation Trust to deliver an integrated stepped care mental health service for those leaving prison in the HMP Durham and Cleveland area. The team comprises a range of highly skilled professionals who work collaboratively to provide the highest quality of care for those with mental health needs leaving the prison setting in line with the dynamic probation service model.
What I do and achieve:
- Join our dedicated mental health team to support the wellbeing of prison leavers in your area.
- Work collaboratively with stakeholders to deliver holistic care, including release planning, group workshops, and peer support initiatives.
- Provide mental health resources and self-help materials.
- Provide person-centred support to service users serving community sentences or being released from prison.
- Support the out of hours service through weekday telephone helpline support (5pm-8pm) and occasional Saturday drop-in sessions.
- Coaching individuals to set goals and build confidence.
- Developing peer mentor programs and tackling stigma.
- Maintaining high standards of record keeping and risk management.
- Promoting partnership working and co-produced strategies.
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 HMP 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.
Skills and experience:
- Experience working with people with mental health and personal wellbeing needs (1:1 and group settings), using coaching and goal-setting approaches.
- Strong group facilitation, active listening, and rapport-building skills.
- Ability to develop and coordinate projects and activities that promote recovery.
- Knowledge of mental health indicators and recovery-focused practices.
- Inclusive values base, respecting diversity and empowering individuals, including those from marginalised communities.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written), ability to work independently and collaboratively, and resilience under pressure.
- Competence in IT systems (Word, Excel, databases) and commitment to continuous improvement and innovation.
- Relevant training or qualifications (e.g., Train the Trainer, Recovery Training, Peer Support, Coaching) are desirable.
- Lived experience would be desirable.
If you’re passionate about empowering individuals, reducing stigma, and improving mental health outcomes, we’d love to hear from you.
Why join Rethink Mental Illness?
- 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. 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.
Health & Wellbeing Coach (Personal Wellbeing) in North East employer: Rethink Mental Illness
At Rethink Mental Illness, we pride ourselves on fostering an inclusive and supportive work environment where every employee can thrive. Our commitment to employee wellbeing is reflected in our comprehensive benefits package, including access to a Wellbeing Hub, flexible working arrangements, and generous leave policies. With a strong focus on professional development and a culture that values diversity, we empower our team members to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those they serve within the North East Prisons.
