Health & Wellbeing Practitioner – HMP Highdown

About the role

We are seeking a Health & Wellbeing Practitioner to join The Forward Trust team at HMP Highdown in Surrey. In this full‑time role you will deliver recovery‑focused support to people in prison, using a trauma‑informed, gender‑responsive approach.

Key responsibilities

• Manage a caseload, prioritising individuals based on needs and release dates.
• Conduct assessments, risk assessments and develop care plans in collaboration with service users.
• Deliver structured one‑to‑one sessions and group work covering health, wellbeing, recovery and harm reduction.
• Support release planning and through‑care to facilitate successful community reintegration.
• Work closely with healthcare, mental health, prison and external partner services.
• Carry out second‑signatory duties and oral swab testing where required.
• Maintain accurate records in line with service requirements.
• Contribute to a positive, safe and solution‑focused service, continuously seeking improvement.

Required profile

• Compassionate, non‑judgemental and committed to supporting positive change.
• Experience working with people experiencing substance misuse and/or mental health needs.
• Confident in conducting assessments, care planning and structured interventions.
• Ability to manage a caseload, meet targets and deadlines.
• Strong communication skills for building relationships with service users and partner agencies.
• Effective team player within a multi‑disciplinary environment.
• Organised and proficient with IT systems for case management documentation.
• Commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, health and safety and professional standards.

What we offer

• Flexible working and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
• Enhanced maternity and paternity pay, family‑friendly policies.
• Training and development opportunities, including DAWFDP.
• Optional Simply Health Cashback Scheme and Cycle‑to‑Work scheme.
• Crisis Loan Scheme, Electric Car Scheme and three wellbeing days (pro‑rated).
• Access to Blue Light Card and 25 days annual leave (rising to 30 with service).
• Contributory pension with employer matching up to 9%.
• Death in service payment (2× annual salary) and critical illness insurance.