At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead harm reduction initiatives and training across the UK to support substance use services.
- Company: Turning Point is a leading health and social care provider dedicated to improving lives nationwide.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days of paid holiday, flexible perks, and a supportive work culture focused on recognition.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in harm reduction while working with passionate professionals in a vibrant community.
- Qualifications: Strong leadership skills and experience in harm reduction strategies are essential for this role.
- Other info: This position requires a full UK driving license and offers remote work with travel across the UK.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Please Note: A Full UK Driving License and Access to a Vehicle is an Essential Requirement.
We have an exciting opportunity to join Turning Point as our new National Harm Reduction Lead. As a national health & social care provider, Turning Point supports people up and down the country who are experiencing issues or concerns around their substance use. Whilst we are inspired by possibility for everyone that we support and ambitious for people and their recovery journey, we believe that a strong foundation of harm reduction should underpin all our delivery. We have spent time over recent years, working with the previous post holder to extend our harm reduction offer and build our profile externally, showcasing our expertise. We’re looking for someone who has a passion, drive and expertise around harm reduction to continue this work with us.
Role Responsibility
- To work across all substance use services to continue the development and implementation of Turning Point’s Harm Reduction strategy and ensure alignment to the wider organisation strategy.
- Work closely with relevant stakeholders to deliver robust harm reduction training (including overdose prevention, naloxone and needle/syringe provision) for colleagues, peers, service users and external agencies.
- To increase and maximise the distribution of naloxone by all Turning Point services to service users in treatment and individuals accessing Needle/Syringe Provision, families & affected others and to include naloxone supply by Pharmacies, Police, partner agencies and further develop our peer-to-peer naloxone distribution.
- To work with stakeholders to develop high quality evidence-based resources to reduce drug deaths/harms, including leaflets, campaigns and digital resources/social media.
- To support the development of a vibrant harm reduction community and culture within Turning Point aimed at reducing drug related deaths/harms, in particular leadership of Turning Point’s national harm reduction forum.
- To develop close working relationships across Turning Point substance use services to support the implementation of new practices.
- To keep abreast of evidence/trends/best practice relating to drug-related deaths/harms and ensure these are communicated to services as appropriate.
- To develop and utilise data collection to underpin TP’s harm reduction strategy, including the use and supply of naloxone and manage/monitor this to ensure it is used to improve practice.
- To build effective working alliances with external stakeholders and partners, to continue to build Turning Point’s external profile as an expert harm reduction provider and to support the overall response to drug deaths/harms through attending any stakeholder meetings, conferences or focus groups and presenting at national conferences.
- To work in alliance with people with lived experience of using drugs, service user/family support groups, and others that may come into contact with people who use drugs to increase awareness of drug deaths/harms and increase naloxone distribution.
The Ideal Candidate
- Demonstrable leadership skills and flexible and adaptable leadership style.
- In depth understanding of the harm reduction and associated strategies.
- Ability to adapt to respond to colleagues, commissioners/partners and people we support.
- Strong organisational, time management and prioritisation skills.
- Previous experience managing the implementation of project activity across Services.
- Ability to interpret and use data to improve performance.
About us
As a leading health and social care provider with more than 300 locations across England, we take real pride in the services we offer. We run all of our services on a not-for-profit basis; instead, we invest every penny back into our services and people. We never stop believing in change for the better, and we work constantly to improve the lives of the people we support.
What Benefits Will I Receive?
We know reward looks different to each person and so whether it's ways to make your money go further, a culture supporting recognition and celebration, or opportunities to boost your career – we want to support you in every way we can with our total reward package that includes:
- 26 days’ paid holiday a year + Bank Holidays, increasing with each year of service up to 28 days + Bank Holidays. Plus the option to buy additional holidays and spread the cost.
Join our team and discover the comprehensive benefits we offer by following this link to explore all the exciting perks available to our employees.
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closing date.
Frequency Annual Job Reference turningp/TP/135/11519 Contract Type Permanent Closing Date 22 June, 2025 Job Category Specialist Support Business Unit Substance Use Location Home Based with requirement to Travel to Services Nationwide, United Kingdom
National Harm Reduction Lead employer: Turning Point UK
Contact Detail:
Turning Point UK Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land National Harm Reduction Lead
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest harm reduction strategies and best practices. This will not only help you understand the role better but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations with stakeholders during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the harm reduction field. Attend relevant conferences or workshops to meet potential colleagues and learn about current trends, which can give you an edge when discussing your vision for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with Turning Point's mission. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led initiatives or projects related to harm reduction.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to interpret and use data effectively. Be ready to discuss how you've used data in previous roles to improve practices or outcomes, as this is a key aspect of the National Harm Reduction Lead position.
We think you need these skills to ace National Harm Reduction Lead
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in harm reduction and substance use services. Use specific examples that demonstrate your leadership skills and understanding of harm reduction strategies.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that reflects your passion for harm reduction and outlines how your skills align with the role's responsibilities. Mention any previous projects or initiatives you've led that relate to drug-related harms.
Showcase Your Knowledge: In your application, include insights on current trends and best practices in harm reduction. This will show that you are proactive and knowledgeable about the field, which is crucial for the National Harm Reduction Lead position.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, carefully proofread all documents for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism.
How to prepare for a job interview at Turning Point UK
✨Show Your Passion for Harm Reduction
Make sure to express your genuine passion for harm reduction during the interview. Share personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to improving the lives of those affected by substance use.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully led projects or initiatives in the past. Discuss your leadership style and how it aligns with Turning Point's mission to create a vibrant harm reduction community.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Current Trends
Stay updated on the latest evidence, trends, and best practices related to drug-related deaths and harms. Be ready to discuss how you would apply this knowledge to enhance Turning Point’s harm reduction strategy.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Think about how you can effectively build alliances with external stakeholders and partners. Prepare to discuss your approach to collaboration and how you would enhance Turning Point’s profile as an expert harm reduction provider.