Senior substance misuse practitioner jobs

Substance Use Practitioner

Location: Leatherhead

Salary: £27,000 per annum

Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time (37 hours per week)

*This role covers Waverly and Guilford so requires an up-to-date driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. Firstly, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

Young People and Families

Our Young People and Families (YPF) hub provides early intervention, targeted and specialist support services to those in crisis, leaving care, missing from home or with substance misuse or mental health problems. Our services support people no matter what their situation – and have demonstrated a high success rate.

Job Description

Provide assertive outreach and engagement activities and undertake assessment for targeted and specialist treatment interventions for young people referred to the service under the supervision of senior staff.

Provide targeted and structured substance use interventions, both 1:1 and group work, for those young people aged 11-25 and their families when required. This will take place within a range of settings including, schools, community settings and home visits.

Provide satellite services away from our central office bases where required, to offer clients a wider choice of accessing substance use services and recovery support, to enable those with specialist requirements to have their needs met in appropriate settings.

Facilitate and support targeted groups, focus groups and service user participation.

Qualifications

· A relevant qualification such as youth work, counselling, health and social care, and/or relevant experience of therapeutic delivery, and alternative suitable qualifications.

· Good communication, organisational, and ICT skills.

What does good look like for this role?

· You will demonstrate knowledge and competency in delivering young people’s substance misuse interventions, to a wide arrange of individuals, according to their needs.

· You will have knowledge/understanding and or direct experience of supporting C&YP who are experiencing difficulties with their emotional wellbeing and mental health.

· You will evidence that you are able to work to a high standard of record keeping in a timely manner, in accordance with Catch22 delivery outcomes, targets and recording procedures.

· You will be able to deliver and evidence high quality engagement and support to the young people and families we work with.

· You will communicate and work collaboratively, constructively and effectively with colleagues and partner agencies, ensuring effective partnership working, representing Catch22 professionally at all times, and contributing positively to the team and Catch22.

Additional Information

*This role covers Waverly and Guilford so requires an up to date driving licence, access to a vehicle, MOT and business insurance.

*You may be required to work out of hours, including evenings and weekends where necessary, in addition to travel around Surrey on a daily basis, and occasional travel around the UK.
*Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check required.

Catch22 is committed to staff recruitment and retention and offers a range of training, learning and development opportunities. Your continuous professional development is as important to us as it is to you.

Catch22 is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff, volunteers and other third parties to share this commitment. Safer recruitment practice will be followed and pre-employment background checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. The post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Catch 22, please do not hesitate to apply. 

Play a pivotal role in shaping how we support, develop and empower our people, at an exciting time of growth for Betknowmore UK.

Betknowmore UK has grown rapidly into a delivery organisation of real scale and ambition, running multiple funded services with staff and volunteers across the country, and a workforce that proudly and intentionally includes people with lived experience of gambling harm. As we continue to grow, we're looking for an experienced Interim HR Manager to help us build on strong foundations and take our people function to the next level, over a defined eight-month period (with the possiblility of extension through mutual agreement).

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations and line managing our HR Officer, you'll lead three connected priorities: building the capability and confidence of our managers; shaping our workforce development strategy, including career pathways for colleagues with lived experience; and making sure we're fully prepared for the employment law changes arriving under the Employment Rights Act 2025. This is a genuine change role with a lasting legacy, you'll help leave the organisation stronger, more capable and better equipped for the future.

What you'll be doing

• Providing expert, pragmatic advice on employee relations matters, and leading complex or contentious casework where genuinely necessary, coaching managers to build their own confidence in handling cases
• Keeping the organisation ahead of the phased implementation of the Employment Rights Act 2025, and advising the policy team on the changes required
• Managing the relationship with our external employment law advisers, briefing tightly and translating advice into workable decisions
• Building the capability and confidence of line managers through practical, scenario-based training and coaching through live situations
• Developing a manager toolkit — templates, letters, scripts, decision trees and a clear escalation route
• Owning and developing our workforce development strategy, including a capability framework and career pathways for colleagues with lived experience, from volunteering through to management roles
• Establishing our learning and development framework, including induction, professional accreditation and qualification routes
• Improving consistency and fairness in recruitment and selection, and line managing, supervising and developing the HR Officer
• Providing HR risk reporting to the senior management team and, as requested, to the Board

What we're looking for

• We're interested in hearing from candidates who have:
• Substantial generalist HR experience at HR Manager or senior HR Business Partner level, including sustained periods as the most senior HR person in an organisation or business unit
• Experience of working in a lived experience-led organisation, or one with a significant peer or lived experience workforce
• A proven track record of building line manager capability, coaching managers through live situations rather than doing the work for them
• Experience developing and implementing a workforce development or HR strategy, including competency frameworks and career pathways
• Demonstrable experience of handling complex and contentious employee relations casework end to end, including matters carrying genuine tribunal risk
• Current, working knowledge of UK employment law, including the Employment Rights Act 2025 and its practical implications for employers
• Experience of working in a lean or fast-growing organisation, operating without a large in-house HR or legal team
• Strong influencing skills with senior colleagues, and excellent judgement on confidentiality, conflicts of interest and escalation
• CIPD Level 5 or above, or equivalent demonstrable experience
• Knowledge of the gambling harms, addiction, health or social welfare sectors, experience of a comparable commissioning transition, and experience of interim or fractional assignments would all be advantageous, as would CIPD Level 7 or Chartered MCIPD status.

Why join us?

You'll be joining a growing, ambitious charity making a real difference to people's lives. This is a unique opportunity to shape our people strategy from the ground up, build lasting management capability, and leave a genuine legacy alongside a passionate, lived experience-informed team who are proud of what they do.

We are looking for a compassionate, confident and experienced Liaison and Diversion Team Lead to provide day-to-day leadership for our Liaison and Diversion outreach team in Surrey.

Working in partnership with Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, you will support the delivery of high-quality, safe and effective services for vulnerable people who have come into contact with the criminal justice system. This is a varied and rewarding role, combining operational leadership, staff supervision, partnership working and a reduced caseload of complex and high-risk clients.

You will lead and support a team of practitioners, help manage service performance and quality, and work closely with health, social care, criminal justice and voluntary sector partners to improve outcomes for people experiencing mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, learning disabilities, neurodiversity and other complex needs.

We are looking for someone who can bring strong leadership skills, sound judgement, and a commitment to trauma-informed, recovery-focused and person-centred practice. In return, you will be part of an organisation that values Kindness, Integrity and Commitment, and is committed to improving health, wellbeing and life opportunities for people across Surrey.

Location: Frimley Park Hospital, Guildford
Salary: £32,680
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: type: Permanent

Key responsibilities:

Leadership and Operational Management

• Provide day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of the Liaison and Diversion team.
• Support the recruitment, induction and development of staff and volunteers.
• Conduct regular supervision, appraisal and performance reviews for team members.
• Support staff wellbeing and promote a positive, inclusive and psychologically safe working environment.
• Provide management cover and deputise for the Catalyst Senior Manager when required.
• Lead team meetings and case discussions.
• Support the implementation of organisational policies, procedures and best practice guidance.
• Monitor staffing capacity and workload allocation to ensure safe and effective service delivery.

Clinical and Case Management

• Hold a complex caseload requiring enhanced intervention, multi-agency coordination and risk management.
• Support staff in managing complex cases involving mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, learning disabilities, neurodiversity, safeguarding concerns and social vulnerability.
• Formulate support and risk management plans.
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified, escalated and managed in accordance with local safeguarding procedures.
• Support clients to access appropriate health, mental health, housing, welfare, treatment, recovery and community support services.
• Promote recovery-focused and trauma-informed practice across the service.
• Ensure service users are supported to engage effectively with criminal justice processes and community services

Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with Police, Courts, Probation, Youth Justice Services, NHS organisations, Local Authorities and voluntary sector partners.
• Represent Catalyst and the Liaison and Diversion Service at internal and external meetings.
• Promote integrated working across health, criminal justice and community services.
• Support the development of pathways that improve outcomes for vulnerable individuals.
• Facilitate joint working and information sharing arrangements in accordance with GDPR and information governance requirements.
• Act as a key contact for partner agencies and support the resolution of operational challenges

Service Development and Quality Improvement

• Support the Catalyst and SABP Service Managers in developing and improving service delivery.
• Contribute to service reviews and quality improvement projects.
• Identify gaps in local provision and support the development of new partnerships and initiatives.
• Promote innovation and evidence-based practice across the service.
• Participate in contract monitoring and performance reporting processes.
• Support the development of community resources that enhance recovery, diversion and social inclusion

Performance and Governance

• Monitor service activity and outcomes to ensure contractual and organisational requirements are achieved.
• Ensure accurate and timely recording of client information on case management systems
• Carrying out service audits, and following thought to ensure all requirements are met.
• Maintain compliance with information governance, confidentiality, safeguarding and data protection requirements.
• Prepare reports, performance information and outcome data as required.
• Ensure all team members maintain accurate case records and complete mandatory training requirements.
• Contribute to risk management and incident reporting processes

About the organisation

Through Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health, and wellbeing—together, every step of the way.

 About you

Essential:

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience working with adults with complex needs, such as mental health difficulties, substance misuse, homelessness, neurodiversity, learning disabilities or offending behaviour.
• Experience of providing supervision, mentoring or line management to staff.
• Experience of working in partnership with multiple agencies and services.
• Experience of managing complex and high-risk cases.
• Knowledge of mental health, substance misuse and social vulnerabilities.
• Understanding of safeguarding legislation and practice.
• Knowledge of risk assessment and risk management.
• Good understanding of information governance, consent, confidentiality and GDPR.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships.
• Ability to analyse complex information and make sound decisions.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and workloads.
• Strong report-writing and record-keeping skills.
• Competent in Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability and professionalism.
• Committed to social inclusion and reducing inequalities.
• Able to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Resilient and adaptable in challenging situations.
• Committed to continuous learning and professional development.

Desirable:

• Degree, diploma or professional qualification in Mental Health, Social Work, Psychology, Counselling, Criminal Justice, Health and Social Care or a related field.
• Leadership or management qualification.
• Understanding of the Liaison and Diversion model and criminal justice pathways

Benefits

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental, counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working where possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation, and wellbeing/EAP resources

Safeguarding & Checks

• This role is subject to a basic DBS check.
• A past history of drug/alcohol issues or criminality will not necessarily exclude you from this role; we encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate.
• All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment.

We welcome requests for reasonable adjustments at any stage of the process.

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

ABOUT BRIGHTPIP

BrightPIP (Brighton Parent-Infant Psychological Therapy) is a specialist infant mental health charity supporting babies aged 0–2 and their families across Brighton & Hove and Sussex. We want every baby in our community to grow up feeling safe, healthy and loved. We provide early therapeutic intervention to strengthen relationships and prevent cycles of intergenerational trauma. We are a small, friendly and growing charity, supported by a dedicated clinical team and Trustee Board.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a trainee Infant and Early Years Practitioner (IEYP), on a course run in partnership with the Anna Freud Centre and University College London (UCL). The post-holder will be training on the Children and Young People’s (CYP) Infant Mental Health (0-5) course, whilst carrying out clinical work in our service to complement their studies and use their newly developed skills.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a training role that is part of the NHS England (NHSE) funded CYP Psychological Trainings Therapy Programme (CYP-PT Therapy PGDip).  This intensive training post will equip practitioners with a comprehensive skillset to provide interventions to families using the latest evidence-based approaches. This will include training in Video-feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting (VIPP) and supporting families where the child is experiencing regulatory difficulties.

Alongside the theoretical teaching of the training programme, the post-holder will have the opportunity to work within the BrightPIP service, providing practical interventions to families across Brighton & Hove. They will be integrated into our team of Clinical Psychologists and Psychotherapists and will take referrals as part of our service offer.

The successful post-holder will work in the BrightPIP service for 2.5 days per week and attend university for 2-3 days per week, with some study days spread throughout the year. During university holidays the trainee will continue to work with families.

FURTHER INFORMATION

This government-funded initiative promotes the growth and skill of the child mental health workforce to meet much needed demand. NHSE covers salary and training costs for a one-year full-time position, allowing services to employ trainees to support specialist pathways to bridge the gaps in CYP mental health support.

The role begins in January 2027 and the trainee will be both a fixed-term employee of BrightPIP and an enrolled student with UCL/Anna Freud. Upon completion, qualified trainees will receive a UCL Postgraduate Diploma. 

Training will be a mixture of in person, online sessions and self-study. Applicants must be willing to travel to Anna Freud in Central London (Rodney St, N1 9JH) to attend their lectures as needed. This is a unique opportunity that allows you to apply your learning week-to-week into practical clinical interventions making a direct impact on the lives of children and their families.

ABOUT YOU

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic practitioner to work and train within our service. The training post will equip the post-holder to provide interventions for children, young people and families using evidence-based intervention consistent with the course they are attending. The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Being part of a pioneering, highly specialist team who are passionate about our mission and supportive of each other
• Weekly 1:1 supervision and the opportunity to join our monthly group reflective supervision sessions
• After successful completion of the course the fixed term contract will end, however we will provide support and advice to help you try to secure longer term opportunities; either within our service or other local authority services
• We are open to secondment opportunities from suitably qualified applicants within the area

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to make two applications for this role. The first is a job application directly to BrightPIP. The second is a course application, which is made via the UCL portal. You will only be offered a UCL training place if you are successful in securing this post and you meet the university training requirements. 

1. For your BrightPIP application, please submit:

- Your CV; and

- A cover letter addressed to Dr Laura Williams, explaining your relevant experience, key achievements, and motivation for applying.

Please ensure that your CV/ cover letter clearly evidence the academic requirements for this role as well as relevant experience (please see job description and person specification for guidance). 

2. For your UCL course application, please read the supporting document 'UCL CYP PT Therapy - Application Guidance for Candidates August 26' and follow the instructions relevant to this role. There is a link under 'where to apply' to access the UCL uni application portal. Please do take the time to review the full details in this document which includes a list of everything you need to apply for the course. 

Interviews will be held at Moulsecoomb Family Hub - date TBC.

We encourage applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in the clinical team including: applicants from Black and global majority ethnic backgrounds, male applicants, applicants identifying as LGBTQIA+.

All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

PRIVACY NOTICE

Please be aware that the information on your application form (name, contact details, qualifications and prior relevant experience) will be shared with the university Course Team as part of the recruitment process. By submitting your application to this role, you are agreeing to your details being shared with Anna Freud / UCL.  They will review your information to ensure you meet the academic requirements for the course.