Recovery Focus
Trainee Mental Health Wellbeing Practitioner
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Trainee Mental Health Wellbeing Practitioner
Location: Dorset
Working Hours: 37 Hours, 3 day placement, 2 days study.
Contract Type: Trainee
Salary: £32,000, Qualified - £34,000.
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About the Role
Are you an experienced substance use professional looking to take the next step in your career? Do you have a passion for supporting people experiencing both mental health and substance use challenges?
We're looking for a Trainee Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) to join The Reach Drug & Alcohol Service. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain a recognised psychology qualification while working in a supportive, multidisciplinary team delivering life-changing support to people in our communities.
As part of this unique role, you'll undertake a fully funded one-year training programme with a local university while continuing to work within our service. You'll receive dedicated study time, regular clinical supervision and hands-on experience, allowing you to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to become a qualified Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner.
Following successful completion of the programme, you'll qualify as a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, supporting adults with complex mental health and substance use needs through evidence-based, person-centred interventions.
As this is a significant investment in your professional development, successful applicants must commit to remaining within the service throughout the training programme and for two years following qualification.
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Key Duties
- Complete the one-year Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner training programme alongside your role within The Reach Drug & Alcohol Service.
- Attend university teaching (virtual and in-person) alongside work-based learning and supervised practice.
- Deliver compassionate, person-centred support to adults experiencing drug, alcohol and mental health challenges.
- Build positive, trusting relationships that promote recovery and wellbeing.
- Work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team to deliver coordinated care.
- Use regular clinical supervision to reflect on practice, develop professionally and enhance clinical decision-making.
- Develop assessment, intervention and care planning skills in line with the MHWP curriculum.
- Maintain accurate and professional clinical records and reports.
- Build effective relationships with partner organisations to support holistic care.
- Continue developing your knowledge and skills to become a confident and effective practitioner.
About You
This opportunity is ideal for someone already working within drug and alcohol services who is ready to develop their clinical skills through structured training and education.
You'll be someone who is compassionate, motivated and committed to improving outcomes for people with complex needs. You'll have:
- Experience working within substance use or a related health or social care setting.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build trusting, therapeutic relationships.
- A good understanding of mental health and its impact on individuals.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
- Excellent organisation and time management skills, with the ability to balance work and study commitments.
- A willingness to use supervision to reflect on practice and continuously develop your skills.
- A commitment to providing hopeful, recovery-focused, person-centred care.
- The motivation and resilience to complete an intensive training programme.
- The ability to study at degree level or above (graduate or postgraduate pathway depending on your existing qualifications).
- Flexibility to travel to university teaching days where required.
What We Offer
- A fully funded Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner qualification.
- Protected study time throughout the programme.
- Regular clinical supervision and dedicated workplace support.
- The opportunity to qualify as a registered Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner.
- Ongoing professional development and training after qualification.
- A rewarding career supporting people to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
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Additional Benefits
27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
Life assurance (3× annual salary)
Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
£500 Recommend a Friend bonus
Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and Accessibility
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.
If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: [Insert Closing Date]
How to Apply
As part of your application, please submit a personal statement of no more than 500 words answering the following question:
"What is your understanding of the role of a Mental Health and Wellbeing Practitioner in drug and alcohol services? What relevant skills and experience do you have that you could bring to this role?"
Please read the advert and job description carefully before applying to ensure you can commit to the training programme, including the requirement to remain within the service for the duration of the course and for two years following qualification.
This is an exciting opportunity to develop your career, gain a nationally recognised qualification and make a lasting difference to the lives of people affected by drug, alcohol and mental health challenges.
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