Drug and Alcohol Practitioner

Drug and Alcohol Practitioner

Location: Chelmsford
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term 12 months
Closing Date: 15th of October 2026

HMP Chelmsford is a busy local remand prison, and we are looking for a dedicated and compassionate Substance Misuse Practitioner to join our team.

The successful candidate will provide client-centred support to prisoners experiencing problematic substance misuse, using both harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches depending on the individual needs of each client.

Working as part of an integrated healthcare team, you will play a key role in supporting people to make positive changes, reduce substance-related harm and prepare for a successful transition back into the community.

What you’ll be doing

• Managing a caseload of clients with problematic substance misuse.
• Providing client-centred, evidence-based support using harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches.
• Completing comprehensive assessments and care plans based on individual needs.
• Providing appropriate harm reduction advice, information and guidance.
• Delivering structured 1:1 support sessions focused on substance misuse and low-level mental health.
• Facilitating group-work sessions covering substance misuse and low-level mental health topics.
• Providing transitional and throughcare support to help clients prepare for release and resettlement in the community.
• Working closely with a range of internal and external services to ensure clients receive appropriate support.
• Supporting clients with access to services including: Housing, Employment, Healthcare, Probation, Gym and wellbeing services, Transitional services, External Drug Intervention Teams, Contributing to the targets and outcomes set by Forward and local commissioners. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date case notes and records. Producing high-quality progress reports for clients where required, ensuring information is appropriate for the intended audience. Working as part of an integrated healthcare framework and contributing positively to the wider multidisciplinary team. Building effective professional relationships with clients and partner agencies to support positive outcomes.

What we’re looking for

• A compassionate and non-judgemental approach to supporting people affected by substance misuse.
• Experience of working with individuals experiencing substance misuse or related support needs.
• An understanding of both harm reduction and abstinence-based treatment approaches.
• The ability to complete effective assessments and develop appropriate care plans.
• Experience of delivering structured 1:1 and/or group sessions.
• Good understanding of low-level mental health needs and how these can interact with substance misuse.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships with clients.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary and integrated healthcare team.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage a caseload effectively.
• Strong written communication skills, with the ability to produce accurate, clear and professional case notes and reports.

This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives. By providing consistent, person-centred support during custody and helping clients access the right services before release, you will play an important role in reducing substance-related harm and supporting successful resettlement in the community.

Please note HMPPS vetting is needed for this role and can take up to 12 weeks. Please also see the job description attached for more information.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -

• Flexible working
• Support for Families – We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme

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

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