Location, Working Hours, Contract Type, Salary
Location: 1st Floor, Stocklund House, Castle Street, Carlisle, CA3 8SY (county‑wide role across six hubs and within the community)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £31,030.00–£41,980.00
Please note: The salary range reflects the full earning potential for this role, with progression within the salary band subject to the relevant criteria.
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.
Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community.
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
About the role
As Harm Reduction Lead within Recovery Steps Cumbria, you’ll take the lead in developing and delivering a strategic harm reduction plan across the county. Working closely with clinical and operational teams, partner agencies, commissioners and other stakeholders, you’ll help ensure harm reduction is embedded throughout service delivery.
You’ll lead on key areas of work, including Naloxone provision, needle and syringe programmes (NSP), blood‑borne virus (BBV) testing and treatment, hepatitis C provision and the prevention of drug‑related deaths. Using local, regional and national data, you’ll identify emerging trends, inform service development and help shape effective responses to the changing needs of the people we support.
You’ll also play an important role in developing peer‑led approaches, including Peer‑to‑Peer Naloxone provision, and sharing knowledge and best practice across our services and wider professional networks.
Based at Stocklund House in Carlisle, this is a county‑wide role working across six hubs and within the community. You’ll need a full driving licence and the flexibility to travel across Cumbria to work with colleagues, partner organisations and the people who use our services.
This is a varied and influential opportunity for someone who can combine specialist knowledge with strong partnership working, effective communication and a commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by substance use.
What you’ll do
- Lead harm reduction strategy: Develop and implement a county‑wide harm reduction plan, including NSP, Naloxone and BBV testing, treatment and immunisation.
- Improve access to support: Work with clinical and operational teams to ensure people can access community and pharmacy needle and syringe provision, Naloxone and appropriate BBV services.
- Develop innovative approaches: Lead the development and delivery of Peer‑to‑Peer Naloxone initiatives and support peer and volunteer involvement in harm reduction.
- Use data to drive improvement: Analyse local, regional and national information to identify trends, understand emerging risks and inform future service delivery.
- Build effective partnerships: Work collaboratively with colleagues, partner agencies, commissioners and other stakeholders to strengthen relationships and improve outcomes across Cumbria.
- Share expertise and best practice: Attend relevant strategic meetings, forums and networks, keeping up to date with developments in harm reduction, policy and legislation.
- Promote safety and safeguarding: Identify and respond to potential risks, following organisational safeguarding procedures and working with relevant authorities where necessary.
- Support service development: Contribute to local management discussions, thematic working groups and wider organisational priorities, helping ensure services remain effective, responsive and evidence‑based.
To succeed in this role, you’ll need:
- A Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, or above (or equivalent), or a willingness to work towards one while in post.
- Experience delivering one‑to‑one and group interventions, alongside harm reduction training for staff and people using services.
- An understanding of evidence‑based interventions, including brief interventions, motivational interviewing (MI), psychosocial interventions (PSIs), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and ITEP.
- Experience working with carers and families.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Outlook, alongside experience using management information systems and social media networks.
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues, partners and stakeholders.
- The ability to analyse information, identify opportunities for improvement and translate plans into effective practice.
- A full driving licence and the ability to travel across Cumbria, working across six hubs and within the community.
- A compassionate, flexible and proactive approach, with a commitment to reducing harm, promoting safeguarding and improving outcomes for people affected by substance use.
- Experience in harm reduction planning, substance misuse services, safeguarding and Hidden Harm, risk management and recovery planning would be advantageous.
- A relevant professional qualification, such as addiction studies, counselling, social work or a therapeutic qualification, would also be beneficial.
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 Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- 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
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.
Closing Date: 2026-11-02
Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support. We have 260 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 130,000 people.
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Harm Reduction Lead Practitioner in Carlisle employer: Recovery Focus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the community, offering Health and Wellbeing Nurses a chance to engage in meaningful work that directly impacts individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally while contributing to a vital cause. Located in Leeds, the role provides a unique opportunity to work across various sites, fostering collaboration and community engagement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Harm Reduction Lead Practitioner in Carlisle
✨Join Medical Networks
Get involved in local and national medical associations, like the Royal College of Physicians. These networks can help you connect with mentors and colleagues who might know of openings, plus they're great for staying updated on the latest in medicine and clinical practices.
✨Attend Healthcare Conferences
Make it a habit to attend medical conferences and seminars. These events are fantastic for networking and often feature job boards where hospitals and clinics post their openings. Plus, it’s a good way to get your face recognised in the industry.
✨Leverage Your Medical School's Resources
Don’t forget to use your medical school’s career services! They usually have great connections with hospitals and clinics looking to fill full-time physician positions and can help you with mock interviews or networking events.
✨Apply Directly Through Hospital Websites
When you're ready to apply, make sure to check the careers section of hospital websites directly. Hospitals like Recovery Focus often post their job openings there first, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other applicants.
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Credentials:When applying for a physician role, make sure to highlight your medical qualifications and any special certifications you have. We want to see your medical degree, residency training, and any additional certifications that set you apart, like specialised training in paediatrics or geriatrics. Don’t leave out those all-important letters after your name!
Tailor Your CV to Medicine:Your CV should reflect your experience and skills as a doctor. Be specific about your clinical rotations, medical practice, and any research work you've done – we love seeing quantifiable impacts, so mention how you've improved patient care or led successful treatment plans.
Craft a Personal Statement with Heart:In your cover letter, let us know why you chose medicine and what drives your passion for patient care. Personal stories about transformative experiences—like a memorable patient encounter or a moment that defined your career path—can really make you shine. Remember, we're looking for someone who genuinely cares about their patients!
Demonstrate Continuous Learning:In the medical field, showcasing your commitment to continuous learning is essential. Mention any recent courses, workshops, or conferences you’ve attended, and highlight your willingness to stay updated on medical advancements. This shows us that you’re not just a physician; you're a lifelong learner, ready to adapt and grow.
How to prepare for a job interview at Recovery Focus
✨Get Clinical Knowledge Sharp
Brush up on your clinical knowledge, particularly in areas relevant to the role at Recovery Focus. Expect questions about diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient management. Be ready to discuss case studies or even do some role-playing with hypothetical patient scenarios for a more practical assessment.
✨Know Your Procedures and Protocols
Familiarise yourself with the latest procedures and protocols that are specific to the field of medicine you’re applying to. Whether it’s surgical techniques or patient care protocols, being able to discuss these confidently can really set you apart in the interview at Recovery Focus.
✨Show You're a Team Player
In the medical field, collaboration is key. Have examples ready that showcase your teamwork and communication skills. Talk about how you've worked with nurses, specialists, or other doctors in the past to provide the best care for your patients. This shows you're ready to integrate into the team at Recovery Focus.
✨Stay Current with Medical Trends
Make sure you’re clued up on the latest medical trends, research, and innovations. Not only does this prepare you for technical questions, but it also shows your passion for the field. Be ready to discuss how these trends might affect your practice at Recovery Focus.
