Mental Health Stop Smoking Advisor

For people living with mental health challenges, stopping smoking can feel particularly difficult. While many people want to quit, factors such as stress, anxiety, long-term habits and life circumstances can make taking that first step, and sticking with it, much harder. This role exists to help address that.

As a Stop Smoking Advisor, you'll support people to make positive changes to both their physical and mental wellbeing. Through regular conversations, practical guidance and a personalised approach, you'll help people build confidence, overcome barriers and work towards becoming smoke free.

This is an opportunity to use your experience of supporting people through change in a role where you can see the impact of your work over time. Working as part of a supportive Public Health team, you'll help residents improve their health, increase their confidence and achieve goals that can have a lasting impact on their lives.

This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Children and Adults Barred List check. West Northamptonshire Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This role is likely to suit someone who already has experience supporting people with their mental health, wellbeing or recovery.

You might work in mental health services, wellbeing support, social prescribing, substance misuse services, social care, healthcare, community support or a similar environment where helping people navigate change is a key part of what you do.

The people who thrive in this role are those who can build trust quickly, listen without judgement and adapt their approach to different people and situations. They'll understand that progress isn't always straightforward. Some people will be ready to take action immediately, while others may need time, reassurance and encouragement before they feel ready to move forward.

You'll also be comfortable using IT systems as part of your day to day work. Managing appointments, maintaining accurate records and navigating different systems will all form part of the role, so confidence using technology and keeping information up to date is important.

You don't need to have worked in a stop smoking service before, but you'll have experience of working with people and supporting them in some way. Whether that comes from mental health, social care, wellbeing, recovery services or another similar environment, you'll understand how to build rapport, offer encouragement and help people work towards their goals. We'll provide the training and support needed to help you develop the specialist knowledge required for the role.

Company information

At West Northants Council, it’s about our people. People who thrive with ambition, bubble with new ideas, demand better ways of working, caring about every detail, and who never shy away from a challenge. Our culture is a gateway for new experiences. A place to forge new opportunities. To empower you in your career and unite you with like-minded people.

Our vision is ‘to make West Northants a great place to live, work, visit and thrive’. We truly stand by this and work hard every day to make this a reality. Our corporate values, THRIVE, stand for: Trust, High Performance, Respect, Innovate and Empower, they underpin everything we do and how we deliver services. Hear from our Chief Executive, Martin Henry, about building a career at WNC.

We are committed to ensuring diversity, equality, equity, and inclusion is woven into the fabric of WNC and everything we do, to enable all colleagues to develop and maximize their full potential. We are a disability confident employer, a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, and a Care Leaver Covenant partner

The following film was created by us to communicate our intentions - watch WNC colleagues explain what DEI means to us.

If you need additional support or reasonable adjustments during the application process, including needing the job description in another format or language, please email careers@westnorthants.gov.uk for support.

Please note we reserve the right to close the advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so we recommend applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

West Northants Council, where careers thrive.