Assistant Practitioner (AHP)

Job overview

This post offers an exciting opportunity to provide social, practical and occupational support to individuals within the Offender Personality Disorder (OPD) Pathway, a partnership between NHS England and His Majesty’s Prison and Probation Services (HMPPS). The post holder will be working across Durham and Cleveland, alongside our regional teams in Cumbria, Northumberland and Tyne and Wear, as part of CNTW’s Secure Care community services.

Rebuilding Lives offers support to people who have committed violent offences and present with personality difficulties, which may affect their day-to-day function. The aim of the pathway is to reduce risk of reoffending, by helping the individual understand factors that contribute to this, and to develop pro-social life skills and coping strategies. Our service delivery is psychologically informed, but the role involves a primary focus on practical living skills needed for people making a transition from custody to community and sustaining this successfully.

The post offers a number of CPD opportunities and we encourage personal and professional development via supervision, CPD and training activities. The post is an excellent opportunity for individuals who wish to develop careers in health, justice and social care, such as Occupational Therapy, Nursing, Psychology, or the Probation service.

Main duties of the job

The post holder will work under the supervision of a registered Occupational Therapist, alongside colleagues from Psychology and Probation. They will contribute to assessment, formulation and intervention plans, and deliver practically based interventions and support. There is an emphasis on activities of daily living, and partnership working with local agencies to support community skills and integration. Tasks include supporting service users to access vocational, educational and social activities, help with benefits application, budgeting and sustaining tenancies, and developing other life skills. The role also includes helping people address emotional or relational factors that may lead to difficulties in everyday life.

Our service users have convictions for violent and/or sexual offences. There are thorough risk assessment process for our community-based work but should you require more information please contact us to discuss the role.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Interviews will be held in person in mid January 2026 (date and location to be confirmed).

The post will involve regular travel to and work within probation offices and Approved Premises across Durham and Cleveland, as well as within the local communities, and on occasion prisons across the North East and wider regions.  Expenses are reimbursed for travel outside of home to base journeys.  Travel across such a wide area, including both urban and semi-rural locations can present some challenges, as the post holder may need to visit several venues during their working day. To assist with these demands, we support flexible working for example carrying out some duties (where appropriate) via TEAMS or other online platforms.

Please find attached job description for full details.

Advertising date : 2nd December 2025

Closing date : 16th December 2025

We welcome your application.

Please note - this vacancy may close early once a suitable number of applications are received.