The Forward Trust is a national charity and social enterprise working to empower people to break cycles of addiction, crime, and disadvantage. Within our prison-based healthcare framework, we deliver drug and alcohol support services to individuals aged 18 and over, combining psychosocial interventions with accredited treatment programmes.

The Role

As a Substance Misuse Practitioner, you will work with offenders identified as having drug or alcohol issues, supporting them through their recovery journey while in custody and preparing them for a successful transition back into the community.

You will deliver client-centred treatment, using both harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches tailored to individual needs. This role requires effective caseload management, structured one-to-one and group interventions, and collaboration with a range of internal and external partners to ensure continuity of care.

Flexibility is key, as you may be required to work occasional evenings or weekends and travel between projects within your cluster to ensure seamless service delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of service users, delivering assessments, care planning, and structured interventions.
• Provide harm reduction advice and guidance.
• Facilitate group programmes and deliver one-to-one counselling sessions.
• Support integration with housing, healthcare, probation, employment, and other key services.
• Contribute to service outcomes and meet commissioner-set targets.
• Conduct second signatory duties and oral swab testing (training provided).
• Maintain accurate case records and contribute to service evaluation.

About You

Essential Knowledge & Skills:

• Understanding of the criminal justice sector and challenges faced by people with substance misuse issues.
• Knowledge of counselling theory and the 12-step recovery process.
• Ability to support clients in developing coping strategies and life skills.
• Experience in substance misuse services, including assessments and SMART care planning.
• Experience delivering structured interventions and facilitating therapeutic groups.
• Practical counselling skills.
• A recognised counselling qualification.

Desirable:

• Knowledge of accredited treatment programmes.
• Experience providing counselling within prisons or to people with substance misuse issues.
• Personal lived experience of addiction (minimum 3 years clean) or imprisonment (released at least 5 years ago).
• Previous prison setting experience.
• Knowledge of NHS health and wellbeing outcomes.
• Strong IT skills and ability to use case management systems.
• Additional qualifications in substance misuse or nursing.