At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with complex emotional needs and lead a small team in delivering impactful interventions.
- Company: Join Rethink Mental Illness, a leader in mental health support and community care.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and ongoing professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse, inclusive culture that values lived experience and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping an innovative service.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health or social care, with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Make a difference. Be part of change. At Rethink Mental Illness, we believe in a better life for everyone severely affected by mental illness—and we won’t stop until that’s a reality. We’re looking for a Senior Wellbeing Practitioner to join our Sequoia Service, supporting people with complex emotional needs and personality difficulties across Bristol, North Somerset & South Gloucestershire (BNSSG). This is an exciting opportunity to shape a growing, innovative service, working alongside clinical partners and people with lived experience.
About the role
In this role, you’ll combine hands‑on delivery, team leadership, and service development to make a real impact. You will:
- Deliver clinical and non‑clinical interventions, primarily DBTi (Dialectical Behaviour Therapy Lite), but including Psycho‑Education programmes, MBTi (Mentalisation Based Therapy Lite) and Peer Support groups, depending on capacity needed.
- Supervise a small team, helping colleagues grow and thrive.
- Work alongside NHS partners (AWP) in a multi‑disciplinary environment.
- Promote a person‑centred, trauma‑informed approach to care.
- Support people to build skills, confidence and meaningful connections in their communities.
You’ll play a key role in ensuring everything we deliver is safe, high‑quality and focused on outcomes that matter.
About the service
Our Sequoia Service is a collaborative, community‑based offer developed with:
- NHS partners
- Experts by experience
- Local communities
Together, we provide flexible group and peer support that helps people:
- Build coping strategies
- Improve wellbeing and independence
- Feel connected and supported
- Achieve personal goals
What you’ll bring
We’re looking for someone who is:
- Experienced in mental health or social care support.
- Confident in leading or supervising others.
- Skilled at working with people with complex emotional needs.
- Comfortable delivering group‑based interventions.
- Compassionate, resilient and person‑centred in approach.
You’ll also have:
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills.
- A good understanding of risk management and safeguarding.
- The ability to manage a varied workload across locations.
- A commitment to continuous learning and reflection.
Lived experience of mental illness is valued and welcomed.
What you’ll get in return
- Full training, including DBT and supervision development.
- Opportunities to shape a growing and innovative service.
- A supportive team culture that values lived experience.
- Ongoing professional development and career progression.
- The chance to truly change lives every day.
Benefits
- Inclusive Culture: Join staff networks that champion diversity and inclusion.
- Wellbeing Support: Access our Wellbeing Hub, Employee Assistance Programme, and the Unmind mental health app.
- Recognition & Rewards: Enjoy discounts, cashback offers, and celebrate achievements through our PULSE platform.
- Flexible Working & Generous Leave: Starting at 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays and your birthday off), with options to buy or sell extra days.
- Learning & Development: Grow your career with structured onboarding and training opportunities.
- Financial & Family Support: Contributory pension scheme, enhanced family leave, and travel benefits like season ticket loans and cycle‑to‑work schemes.
- Referral Bonus: Earn up to £300 for introducing someone to our team.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion
Diversity is important to us, and we appreciate difference through difference, inclusiveness and belonging. It gives us a deeper understanding of the world, our society and the diverse communities we’re working with. By including everyone, we are able to draw on the unique experiences and expertise of our people to help shape and enrich our workplace and improve our services.
We recognise and support staff networks and support groups for our ethnically diverse and LGBTQIA+ colleagues. We are also proud to have been awarded Disability Confident Employer status and are a signatory to the Business in the Community Race at Work Charter. We aim for our workforce to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve; for those who work for us to feel heard, valued and feel they belong; and for our work to help tackle wider mental health inequalities. We therefore actively encourage and welcome applications from everyone, including applicants with lived experience of mental illness, those who are Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, Intersex, Asexual and any other gender identity not expressed here (LGBTQIA+); people who are neurodiverse, have a health condition, or a disability or hidden disability and people from an ethnically diverse background—regardless of your age, religious or spiritual belief, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, political view or socio‑economic status.
Becoming a truly anti‑racist organisation
We have an ambition of becoming a truly anti‑racist employer, campaigning organisation and service provider—and in our efforts to influence policy and wider societal factors impacting on mental health set out in our anti‑racist statement. We have designed a multi‑year anti‑racist programme of work contained in our Race Equality Action Plan which demonstrates our intention to hold ourselves accountable and be judged on our progress on becoming a truly anti‑racist organisation.
Senior Wellbeing Practitioner employer: Rethink Mental Illness
At Rethink Mental Illness, we are dedicated to creating a supportive and inclusive work environment where every employee can thrive. As a Senior Wellbeing Practitioner in the vibrant communities of Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire, you will have the opportunity to lead innovative mental health initiatives while benefiting from comprehensive training, flexible working arrangements, and a strong emphasis on professional development. Join us in making a meaningful impact on the lives of those affected by mental illness, all within a culture that values diversity and lived experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Wellbeing Practitioner
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Rethink Mental Illness.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Rethink Mental Illness!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Rethink Mental Illness, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Rethink Mental Illness or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Wellbeing Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Rethink Mental Illness:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Rethink Mental Illness! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rethink Mental Illness
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
