Job overview
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship to undertake this role your application may be withdrawn
Lead change, strengthen partnerships and improve recovery outcomes across Southampton.
Take a visible leadership role in Southampton’s drug and alcohol service, working with Inclusion and the Society of St James to improve support for people affected by substance use.
You will provide operational leadership, develop services and strengthen partnerships across the local system. You will oversee alcohol pathways, hospital liaison, health and wellbeing, and harm reduction, supporting safe, responsive and evidence-based care.
Key responsibilities:
• Shape Southampton’s drug and alcohol services.
• Lead and develop a multidisciplinary workforce.
• Build partnerships across health, social care, criminal justice, housing and the voluntary sector.
• Drive quality improvement and better outcomes.
• Develop accessible, integrated pathways.
• Support local training and workforce development.
• Provide expert advice on treatment and recovery.
We are seeking an experienced, compassionate leader with strong operational management skills who can work across organisations, translate strategy into frontline improvements and challenge stigma.
Advert
• Provide strategic and operational leadership for Southampton’s integrated drug and alcohol service and act as Inclusion’s principal partnership lead with the Society of St James.
• Oversee key service areas, integrated pathways and partnership working across health, social care, criminal justice, housing and the voluntary sector.
• Lead and develop staff, including recruitment, supervision, training, workforce planning and cover.
• Work with clinical and operational leads to ensure safe, coordinated and evidence-based service delivery.
• Lead governance, audit, quality improvement, safeguarding, risk management, serious incident and mortality review processes.
• Monitor performance, contractual targets, clinical standards, case-record quality and the locality budget.
• Promote service-user and carer involvement and provide specialist substance-use advice or interventions where required.
• Prepare and present performance information, implement policy and promote an inclusive, values-based culture.
• Deputise for the Service Manager as required.
Working for our organisation
Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Inclusion service offers psychological and drug & alcohol services, in the community, and in prisons, and has contracts across the country.
As an organisation we serve a population of 1.5 million and currently employ around 9000 members of staff.
We have a wide range of exciting opportunities for people looking to work in a truly integrated NHS organisation. By joining MPFT you will become part of a team who are empowered and supported to deliver care in a way which is consistent with our values:
- Putting people at the heart of what we do
- Empowering people to improve care and wellbeing
- Delivering better health, better care in partnership
Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.
Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
The Southampton System Lead provides strategic and operational leadership for the city’s integrated drug and alcohol service, acting as Inclusion’s principal lead within the partnership with the Society of St James. The role oversees key service areas and pathways, including alcohol treatment, hospital liaison, health and wellbeing, and harm reduction, ensuring services are safe, coordinated, accessible and evidence based. Responsibilities include leading and developing staff; managing recruitment, supervision, training and workforce cover; and working with clinical and operational leads to maintain effective service delivery. The postholder will strengthen relationships across health, social care, criminal justice, housing, commissioners and the voluntary sector, developing integrated pathways that improve access and recovery outcomes. They will lead clinical governance, audit, quality improvement, safeguarding, risk, serious incident and mortality review processes, while monitoring contractual performance, clinical standards, case-record quality and the locality budget. The role also promotes meaningful service-user and carer involvement, provides specialist substance-use advice or interventions where required, prepares and presents complex performance information, implements relevant policy, promotes an inclusive and anti-discriminatory culture, and deputises for the Service Manager when required.
Southampton System Lead employer: Inclusion Services
Inclusion Recovery Hampshire is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting individuals in their recovery journey, particularly those affected by alcohol use. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, comprehensive training, and a collaborative work culture, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the community while enjoying opportunities for personal and professional growth. Located in South Hampshire, our team thrives in a supportive environment that values compassion, inclusivity, and evidence-based practices, making it an ideal place for passionate individuals to contribute to positive change.
