Health and Wellbeing Practitioner - Heathrow IRC

Location:  London

Salary:  £27,000 per annum

Vacancy Type:  Permanent, Full Time

Closing Date: 14th of August 2026

The Forward Trust is looking for a passionate and dedicated Health and Wellbeing Practitioner to join our Substance Misuse Recovery Service at Heathrow Immigration Removal Centre (IRC). This is a full-time role working 35 hours per week, where you’ll be part of an integrated healthcare team supporting detainees with substance misuse, low-level mental health needs and wider health and wellbeing challenges.

This is a rewarding opportunity to deliver person-centred support, helping individuals develop recovery plans, access essential services and prepare for their transition back into the community.

In this role, you will:

• Complete assessments, risk management plans and recovery planning
• Manage a caseload and deliver effective 1:1 and group interventions
• Support individuals with substance misuse and low-level mental health needs
• Attend team meetings, referral discussions and multidisciplinary reviews
• Develop discharge and release plans to ensure continuity of care
• Provide health promotion, advice and signposting to relevant services
• Maintain accurate case records in line with GDPR and data protection requirements
• Contribute to service improvement and wider organisational goals

You’ll work collaboratively with a range of professionals, including:

• Healthcare teams
• Housing and employment services
• Probation
• Specialist agencies
• Community support organisations

Partnership working is key to this role, ensuring every individual receives the right support at the right time.

What we’re looking for:

• A commitment to supporting people affected by substance misuse and health inequalities
• Strong assessment, communication and case management skills
• The ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team
• A proactive, solution-focused approach
• Commitment to completing the Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Programme (DAWFDP) – a mandatory 12-month professional development programme for all Health and Wellbeing Practitioners

You’ll play a vital role in helping people make positive changes, improve their wellbeing and prepare for their next steps beyond the centre.

Please see attached Job Description for full details

All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.

Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.

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
• BHSF 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)

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please proceed through the following link to be redirected to our website to complete your application.

https://careers.forwardtrust.org.uk/vacancies/720/health-and-wellbeing-practitioner--heathrow-irc.html

Contact information

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