At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to support homeless individuals with substance misuse issues.
- Company: Join Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, a top-rated mental health provider.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive salary, and excellent health support.
- Other info: Work across beautiful Surrey, with great transport links to London and the coast.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in substance misuse, relevant degree, and driving licence required.
The predicted salary is between 51657 - 58785 £ per year.
Are you experienced in project management? Are you a nurse with extensive experience in Substance Misuse? Or do you have a relevant degree with experience in working in substance misuse? Have you experience of working with individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness? Are you a car owner/driver? Are you flexible? Are you proactive?
We are offering a Band 7 Senior Practitioner to coordinate a small team of professionals in reaching out to those with substance use issues and also homeless or at risk of homelessness. The project aim is to assertively and proactively support these individuals into treatment which will sit within the wider i-access drug and alcohol team. Organisational skills and the ability to lead are essential to this role as well as having the necessary clinical skills to deliver treatment.
The post holder will be expected to cover Surrey wide but will have the option of either Guildford, Chertsey or Redhill as their main base. Flexibility to work in a variety of settings in order to meet the needs of the service user is essential.
Do you have access to a vehicle which can be used for work purposes or are you able to travel as required to meet the needs of the service? Please note not all office locations or client care bases may be reached by public transport.
Main duties of the job:- To be responsible for the co-ordination of roles, clarity of responsibilities and the deployment and use of resources within the Team and when required, overall service.
- To be responsible for developing and implementing strategies that promote an environment of user involvement and recovery.
- To provide clinical leadership and supervision for other team members.
- To provide and lead on high quality substance misuse information, advice, support, liaison, treatment, signposting and bridging as part of the i-access team to the multi-disciplinary rough sleepers team.
- To work closely with the MDT, service users and clinicians, 1:1 brief work including assessments / joint assessments, provide advice, support, brief interventions and work collaboratively with the team.
- To hold a small complex caseload of service users who are homeless and are engaging with treatment.
- To work closely with care coordinators and other professionals who are in contact and/or provide services for rough sleepers according to individual need.
- Use specialist Substance Misuse and Mental Health knowledge and skills to carry out joint assessments, plan, formulate and deliver a range of treatment interventions.
- To work closely and collaborate with hostels, housing providers, drop-in centres and homelessness centres. Working collaboratively to create spaces and opportunities to carry out joint assessments and deliver appropriate interventions.
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is the leading provider of mental health, learning disability, neurodevelopmental and drug and alcohol services in Surrey and North East Hampshire. We support people of all ages and are passionate about providing high quality care that is delivered at the right time as close to home as possible to help people recover and stay well.
We are one of the top 10 mental Health, Learning Disability and Community Trust to work for nationwide. Our Trust is an inclusive and supportive employer that offers a wide range of staff networks, flexible working, free parking and excellent health and wellbeing support. We also provide a wide range of opportunities to help staff develop and progress.
Surrey is a beautiful county lying just 30 minutes away from Central London and from the South Coast. Our historic market towns and bustling districts are enveloped in wonderful countryside, and our excellent road and rail networks bring the rest of the country within easy reach. For international travel, both Gatwick and Heathrow airports are nearby.
Please note that we reserve the right to close posts as soon as sufficient applications are received. Regrettably, due to UK Home Office requirements we cannot offer sponsorship for this job role. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK for the duration of the role.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Details:- Date posted: 24 July 2026
- Pay scheme: Agenda for change
- Band: Band 7
- Salary: £51,657 to £58,785 a year
- Experience in working in community substance misuse teams
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time, Flexible working
- Reference number: 325-7990315-SS-A
- To provide liaison, advice and support for partnership teams and agencies across Surrey and deliver training to staff regarding service users with drug and alcohol dependency issues/complex needs including knowledge of Opiate Substitution Therapy and polypharmacy.
- To ensure clinical records are updated, maintained and completed in line with local operational guidelines and trust policy.
- To coordinate and participate in professionals meeting/care planning meetings/team around the person (TAP), including contribution, preparation and presentation of reports and information as appropriate.
- To maintain all records to the expected professional standard and actively ensure good communication within the team and between sessions.
- To maintain agreed standards of care and report to and advise the Management team if there are any difficulties.
- To act as a positive role model for colleagues and others through personal and professional conduct and practice.
- To act as mentor or delegate appropriate mentor for students from other clinical areas wishing to gain experience in Team.
- Supervisor for junior colleagues in the team and where appropriate supervise students from both their own and other disciplines whilst on placement with the team.
- All staff will have a sound awareness of Safeguarding issues and be clear about their respective roles and responsibilities to report, respond to and share information in relation to Safeguarding Adults, Safeguarding Children, Domestic Abuse and Public Protection.
- To attend Tribunals, Coroners and other Multi-Disciplinary Meetings and prepare reports.
- Essential: Minimum of 5 years of Substance Misuse experience working with people with complex needs.
- Experience of multi-disciplinary working and liaison.
- Experience of delivering training and/or presentations.
- Desirable: Experience as team leader or manager.
- Essential: Relevant Degree/HCP/Degree with relevant post graduate.
- Significant and relevant post registration qualifications/experience i.e. Project management, Management/leadership training, post graduate nursing qualifications.
- Driving Licence (and able to drive in the UK).
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details:- Employer name: Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
- Address: Farnham Road Hospital, Farnham Road, Guildford, GU2 7LX, United Kingdom
Rough Sleepers Senior Practitioner in Guildford employer: National health service
Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is an exceptional employer, renowned for its inclusive and supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional development. With flexible working options, free parking, and a commitment to high-quality care, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals facing substance misuse and homelessness across the beautiful county of Surrey, just a short distance from London. Join us to be part of a dedicated team that values collaboration, innovation, and personal growth.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Rough Sleepers Senior Practitioner in Guildford
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at National health service.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from National health service!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like National health service, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at National health service or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Rough Sleepers Senior Practitioner in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to National health service:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to National health service! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at National health service
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
