TipTopJob
Drug and Alcohol Practitioner
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Location: Chelmsford
Salary: A GBP 26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Fixed Term 12 months
Closing Date: 15th of October 2026
About the Role
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.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
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.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
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.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London