Around since 1923, SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity. We have represented the voice of people most affected by mental health problems in Scotland for over 100 years. Today, in over 60 communities we work with adults and young people providing mental health social care support, services in primary care, schools and further education, among others.
These services together with our national programme work in respectme, suicide prevention and active living; inform our 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: Primary Care Link Practitioners
Ref: REC2017
Location: Aberdeen
Hours: 22.5 hours per week
Salary: £30,467 - £33,515 per annum (pro rata) (Salary point 26-29)
whilst this is a scale for progression, the starting salary is point 26
Contract: Permanent
About the Role
In this exciting role you will support local people to connect with their community and overcome life’s challenges. Link Practitioners are based in GP practices across Aberdeen City. We work with local communities and colleagues both within and beyond the practice to support people to live better and have healthier lives.
Aberdeen Links aims to reduce pressures on mainstream primary and community care services by meeting a need for joined up support across the Health and Social Care Partnership.
As a Link Practitioner embedded in the community, local GP practices and the Aberdeen City Health & Social Care Partnership locality you will:
- support people with issues they are experiencing, to identify and manage issues and barriers that affect their ability to live well and help them to talk about what really matters to them,
- offer non-clinical support to people, enabling them to set their own personal goals, and with your knowledge of what is happening in the local area, and ability to establish and maintain effective relationships help people access all their local community has to offer. Improve people’s health, wellbeing and personal resilience by supporting them to link more closely with opportunities in their community.
What we are looking for
We are looking for talented and highly experienced people who are passionate about a person centred approach to supporting people to make meaningful and lasting improvements to their health and wellbeing.
You will be experienced in working with adults with a wide range of additional support needs, with exceptional communication skills and be able to effectively manage your own case load.
Although this is not a mental health specific service, you will understand the varying needs of people with mental health problems and be experienced in providing support that empowers people to progress in their recovery journey, at times of poor mental health, at times of crisis and distress. You’ll also need to be flexible in responding to the demands of the service and ensure at all times that your practice and work is of the highest quality.
Successful candidates must be able to work a Wednesday afternoon for team meetings and training.
What we will provide for you
You will work in a supportive environment and will be provided with a full induction and training opportunities. You will be given the chance to develop your knowledge and skills, as well as develop professionally. Some of our benefits include;
- Reimbursement of PVG
- Funded continuous learning and development opportunities, access to over 100 courses online in addition to classroom and virtual training sessions
- 30 days annual leave rising to 33 after 5 years’ service (pro rata)
- 4 public holidays (pro rata)
- 2 paid wellbeing days off per year to use on what matters to you (pro rata)
- Team wellbeing budgets
- Workplace pension scheme
- Life Assurance policy
- Employee Assistance Programme
Closing date for applications will be 12 noon, Tuesday 8th September 2026.
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 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 Privacy Notice https://www.samh.org.uk/documents/Staff_Privacy_Notice_V2.0_.pdf
