The Mental Health Wellbeing Practitioner (MHWP) role supports people on their mental health recovery journey. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team, MHWPs help individuals facing severe mental health difficulties by offering guidance and care that promotes positive mental wellbeing.
You’ll work closely with a range of professionals, including nurses, psychiatrists, therapists and local community groups, making sure people receive the support they need as part of a wider care plan.
Their role includes assessing needs, identifying risks, and delivering evidence-based interventions like guided self-help and therapeutic activities.
As a MHWP, you’ll provide person-centred assessments, thorough risk assessment and management planning, and work with individuals to create care plans. You’ll use evidence-based approaches such as CBT to help people change how they think, feel, and behave, alongside supporting engagement with other professionals and agencies.
Delivery of interventions can be in the patient’s own home, telephone or video.
How to train as a MHWP
To become an MHWP, you’ll need to secure a trainee position, which is advertised on the NHS Jobs website. Both graduate and postgraduate training routes are available, but you must be able to study at degree level or higher. Strong interpersonal skills and a commitment to working with people with complex mental health needs are essential.
The training is fully funded and includes a 12-month programme with academic study and supervised practice. During this time, you’ll receive a Band 4 AfC salary.
For more details on entry requirements and training, see here.
Career development as a MHWP
Once qualified and experienced as an MHWP, you’ll have opportunities to further develop your skills, such as through supervisory training and ongoing skills development. As the role continues to grow, there may also be opportunities for progression into senior positions as services develop nationally and regionally.
MHWPs can also train as Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists or Psychologists. However, if you’ve completed NHS-funded training, you typically need at least two years of post-qualification experience before accessing further NHS-funded training for roles like CBT. For more information, reach out to your service or training provider.
MHWP Registration
From 30 June 2025, MHWPs must be registered with either the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) or the British Psychological Society (BPS). Full details about registration with BABCP will be available soon.
