DBI Practitioner (REC1753)

Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. Today, we operate over 70 services in communities across Scotland, providing mental health social care support, addictions and employment services, among others. Together with national programme work in See Me, respectme, suicide prevention, and physical activity and sport, these services inform SAMH’s policy and campaign work to influence positive social change.

SAMH is dedicated to mental health and wellbeing for all: with a vision of a society where people are able to live their lives fully, regardless of present or past circumstances.

For Scotland’s Mental Health

Post: DBI Practitioner

Ref: REC1753

Location: Scottish Borders

Hours: 30-35 per week

Salary: Pro rata £26,280 - £26,974; £13.48 to £13.83 per hour (Salary Point 22 – 23*)

*whilst this is a scale for progression, the starting salary is point 22

Contract: Fixed Term

About the Role

DBI (Distress Brief Intervention) are looking to recruit a DBI Practitioner to provide support in Scottish Borders but will be required to work across other area’s when required. This post is 30-35hrs per week and the core hours are Monday to Friday 10am – 6pm but you may be required to work some evening and weekends where required. You will be office based in The Scottish Borders (Galashiels) and will be required to travel within the Scottish Borders. You will need access to own transport (Essential).

DBI is a non-clinical intervention, consisting of two interrelated parts;

Level 1 sees trained front-line staff such as health, police, ambulance and primary care staff help ease the person’s distress, provide a compassionate response and where appropriate, involves an offer of a seamless referral, with confidence and clarity to a DBI Level 2 service.

Level 2 is provided by commissioned and trained third sector staff (SAMH) who contact the person within 24hours of referral and provide community-based problem-solving support, wellness and distress management planning, supported connections and signposting for a period up to 14 days.

For more information, please follow this link: https://www.dbi.scot/

What we are looking for

The DBI Practitioner role is an exciting and very challenging post which makes a real difference to people’s lives. The successful candidate will be confident lone working and as part of a team, they will have excellent communication, listening, organisational and IT skills, will be resilient with a mature attitude to support people to achieve their identified outcomes. You will have a good understanding of trauma informed practice.

The role of the DBI Practitioners is to provide compassionate connected direction and guidance to people referred to the DBI offering them support to explore their distress, develop immediate coping strategies, signposting/referrals where appropriate into a range appropriate community services and facilities;

You will record accurate data information and completed distress management plans. Attention to detail when working in a fast paced and demanding role is important.

Communicate and work collaboratively with Level 1 partner agencies such as Police Scotland, Primary Care, CMHT, and Ambulance Service and other Level Colleagues

Training in Level 2 Distress Brief Intervention, specific to the post, will be provided.

Closing date for applications will be Monday 10th November 2025 at 12 noon.

To apply please visit: https://www.samh.org.uk/information/work-with-us

PVG Scheme Membership, a Right to Work in the UK check and proof of any qualifications declared in your application will be required.

Applications are welcome from people who have experienced mental health difficulties.

Please note we reserve the right to close this vacancy early should we receive a high level of applicants and would encourage you to submit your application as early as possible.

SAMH is committed to promoting equality and diversity and to represent the communities we are here to support. We aim to have a truly diverse organisation – diversity of thought, background, experience and of all protected characteristics. We particularly welcome applications from individuals who have experienced mental health problems and individuals from minority communities.

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