We are looking for a compassionate, motivated and proactive Drug & Alcohol Practitioner to join our team, supporting individuals aged 18 and over who are experiencing drug and alcohol-related challenges. Working within an integrated healthcare framework, you will provide person-centred support, helping individuals make positive changes, reduce harm and work towards recovery.
What We Are Looking For
We are looking for someone who:
- Has a genuine passion for supporting people affected by drug and alcohol misuse.
- Is committed to delivering person-centred support, recognising that every individual has different needs.
- Understands both harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches to treatment and recovery.
- Has the ability to build positive, professional and supportive relationships with clients.
- Can work effectively as part of a multi-disciplinary team and alongside external partner agencies.
- Has good communication, organisational and caseload management skills.
- Is confident in assessing individual needs and developing appropriate care plans.
- Can deliver structured one-to-one and group interventions.
- Is flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of the service.
- Is willing to work occasional evenings and weekends and travel to other projects within the cluster when required.
What You Will Be Doing
As a Drug & Alcohol Practitioner, your responsibilities will include:
- Managing a caseload of clients with drug and alcohol support needs.
- Completing assessments to identify individual needs, risks and treatment requirements.
- Developing and reviewing personalised care and treatment plans.
- Providing harm reduction advice, guidance and interventions to help minimise the risks associated with drug and alcohol use.
- Supporting clients through both harm reduction and abstinence-based treatment pathways.
- Delivering structured one-to-one support sessions and group-work programmes.
- Delivering structured treatment programmes where required by the service.
- Supporting individuals entering prison who have identified drug or alcohol problems, where applicable to the service.
- Working closely with partner agencies, including housing, employment, healthcare, probation, transitional services and external drug intervention teams.
- Supporting continuity of care and through-the-gate arrangements to help individuals prepare for release and access ongoing support in the community.
- Contributing towards service targets and outcomes set by The Forward Trust and local commissioners.
- Building effective working relationships with partner organisations to ensure clients receive joined-up support.
- Completing second signatory duties and oral swab testing, where required, to support clinical provision.
- Maintaining accurate records and monitoring client progress and outcomes.
- Working flexibly across projects within the cluster to ensure continuity of care.
This is an opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of individuals affected by drug and alcohol misuse. You will play an important role in supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing, reduce harm, access treatment and work towards long-term recovery.
All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.
Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.