Specialist Substance Misuse Practitioner

Recovery Navigator Safeguarding Families Together (SFT)

locations

65 Leigh Road, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1AE

time type

Full time

posted on

Posted Yesterday

job requisition id

JR012498

Safeguarding Families Together

Location: Dorset

Working Hours: 37 hoursContract: PermanentSalary: £25,867 - £32,090

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Specialist Substance Misuse Practitioner to join our Safeguarding Families Together model, working within Children’s Services locality teams across Dorset.

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to bring specialist drug and alcohol expertise directly into safeguarding teams — supporting parents and carers whose substance use is impacting parenting capacity and child safety.

You will play a vital role in identifying risk earlier, engaging families compassionately, and reducing escalation into Child Protection and care proceedings, all while contributing to a whole-family, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach.

About the Role

Working as part of a multi-disciplinary safeguarding team, you will collaborate with social workers, domestic abuse practitioners, mental health professionals and specialists working to reduce harmful behaviours.

While statutory safeguarding responsibility remains with Children’s Services, you will hold a parent-focused caseload and provide specialist expertise to strengthen safeguarding planning and improve outcomes for children.

This role combines:

• Direct work with families

• Specialist consultation to social workers and managers

• Rapid access to treatment pathways

• Workforce development and reflective practice support

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver specialist substance misuse interventionswith parents and carers where drug and alcohol use is impacting child safety, using motivational, harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches to reduce risk and strengthen parenting capacity.
• Provide expert safeguarding consultationto Children’s Services colleagues, informing risk assessment, relapse planning, and integrated child-focused safety planning within CIN and CP frameworks.
• Drive timely access to treatment and system coordination, ensuring safeguarding plans and adult treatment pathways are aligned and responsive.
• Embed strengths-based and whole-family practicewithin multi-disciplinary teams, contributing to shared formulations, proactive contingency planning, and effective multi-agency decision-making.
• Promote high-quality professional standards and workforce development, through coaching, reflective practice, accurate recording, and adherence to safeguarding, governance and organisational requirements.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience working in drug and alcohol services.

• Understands the impact of parental substance misuse on child development and safety.

• Is confident working within safeguarding frameworks.

• Can engage ambivalent or resistant parents using motivational and trauma-informed approaches.

• Is comfortable offering consultation and professional challenge within multi-disciplinary teams.

• Holds a full UK driving licence and access to a roadworthy vehicle.

About Waythrough 

Make a real difference in your community 

What We Offer

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)

• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%

• Life assurance (3× annual salary)

• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay

• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave

• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications

• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme

• Recognition and long service awards via our

  Way to GoandAspirationsportals

• £500

  Recommend a Friendbonus

• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership

• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good

• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility 

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk 

Closing Date: