Location: HMP & YOI Bronzefield, Woodthorpe Road, Ashford, TW15 3JZ
Contract Type: Full-time, Permanent
Service Area: Substance Misuse – Health & Wellbeing Services

About the Role

The Forward Trust delivers both clinical and psychosocial substance misuse services across Surrey prisons, working in close partnership with NHS Trust healthcare providers. Our approach is trauma-informed, gender-responsive, and designed to provide holistic, recovery-orientated support tailored to the specific needs of each prison and individual service user.

We are now seeking an experienced and motivated Service Manager to lead our Substance Misuse Service at HMP & YOI Bronzefield,  a progressive and dynamic women’s prison serving courts across the South of England.

As Service Manager, you’ll oversee a dedicated multi-disciplinary team delivering integrated clinical and psychosocial interventions as part of our Health and Wellbeing framework. You’ll ensure high standards of care, regulatory compliance, and strong performance across the service, while developing effective relationships with key stakeholders including NHS partners, commissioners, and prison leadership.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Service Management

• Line manage and support Team Leaders and practitioners within the service.
• Lead the operational and strategic delivery of Forward’s Substance Misuse Service within HMP & YOI Bronzefield.
• Act as the CQC Registered Manager (upon completion of probation or agreed timeframe).
• Ensure services meet contractual, CQC, and audit standards, with accurate data and timely reporting.
• Produce performance reports for commissioners and attend regular contract meetings.
• Oversee staff recruitment, supervision, and performance management in line with Forward Trust values and policies.
• Build strong, collaborative relationships with prison staff, probation services, healthcare, and other key partners.

Strategy & Quality Assurance

• Contribute to regional strategic development and support delivery of Forward’s business plan.
• Monitor service performance against contractual targets and take action where necessary.
• Drive continuous improvement through audits, quality reviews, and service user feedback.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and security standards in line with Forward’s governance frameworks.
• Promote a culture of learning, innovation, and inclusion across the service.

Data, Compliance & Reporting

• Ensure accurate data collection and submission through systems such as SystemOne, NDTMS, DET/NEBULA, and DAMS.
• Maintain clear documentation for audit, research, and reporting purposes.
• Ensure all service information is compliant with data protection, confidentiality, and statutory requirements.

About You

We’re looking for a confident and compassionate leader with strong operational management experience in substance misuse or criminal justice settings. You’ll be passionate about delivering quality services that make a real difference to people’s lives.

Essential skills and experience:

• Proven experience managing drug and alcohol services, ideally within a prison environment.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with a track record of developing high-performing teams.
• Experience overseeing data collection, audits, and performance reporting.
• Excellent problem-solving, negotiation, and influencing abilities.
• Working knowledge of psychosocial and 12-step interventions.
• Sound understanding of CQC standards, risk management, and safeguarding procedures.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in service delivery.

Desirable:

• Experience working within the voluntary sector.
• Background in service improvement or transformation projects.