At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic projects to improve substance misuse services and support individuals in recovery.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking cycles of crime and addiction.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to employee wellbeing and development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while shaping the future of recovery services.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse services and strong leadership skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
The Substance Misuse Service at HMP Brixton delivers psychosocial interventions within an integrated healthcare framework known as the New Models of Care (NMOC). Working in partnership with healthcare providers and criminal justice agencies, we support individuals with drug and alcohol issues through a trauma-informed, recovery-focused approach. Based within HMP Brixton, a men's Category C resettlement prison in South London, this role will work across our London prison services, supporting the delivery of high-quality treatment programmes and driving key strategic projects that improve outcomes for service users.
This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced leader with a passion for service improvement, partnership working and recovery-focused practice to play a key role in shaping the future of substance misuse services across the London region.
About the Role
As Regional Projects and Service Improvement Lead, you will work closely with the Regional Manager and London Leadership Team to lead and deliver strategic projects that support organisational priorities, improve service performance and enhance service user outcomes. You will be responsible for planning, coordinating and implementing projects through to successful completion, ensuring objectives are achieved and sustainable improvements are embedded across services.
Key priorities will include:
- Driving recruitment and retention initiatives across London services, reducing vacancy levels and supporting workforce stability.
- Improving continuity of care performance across the region, ensuring individuals receive effective support as they transition from custody into community treatment services.
- Supporting the delivery and development of high-quality therapeutic programmes, including The Bridge and Stepping Stones, with a particular focus on HMP Brixton.
- Leading preparations for establishment changes, including prison re-role activity, service mobilisation and contractual developments.
- Overseeing the effectiveness of regional administration functions, ensuring NDTMS and other key performance data are accurate, timely and compliant with national and local reporting requirements.
Continuity of Care Responsibilities
You will take a lead role in strengthening continuity of care pathways by:
- Conducting release and pre-release audits to ensure compliance with NDTMS requirements and continuity of care standards.
- Developing and maintaining strong relationships with community treatment providers and local authority partners.
- Establishing and chairing continuity of care forums and partnership meetings.
- Monitoring performance, identifying areas for improvement and sharing best practice across services.
- Supporting regional audits and quality assurance activity.
- Working closely with Health and Justice partners, NHSE and OHID to implement initiatives that improve continuity of care outcomes.
The role requires flexibility and may include occasional evening or weekend working. Travel across London prison services and other regional projects will also be required.
About You
We are looking for an experienced and motivated professional with a strong background in substance misuse services, service improvement and partnership working. You will bring:
- A thorough understanding of drug and alcohol treatment services, including addiction treatment programmes, ideally within prison or criminal justice settings.
- Experience of developing, implementing and embedding service improvements that deliver measurable outcomes.
- Demonstrable experience of managing people, performance and change effectively.
- Experience of collecting, analysing and reporting data for audit, quality assurance and performance monitoring purposes.
- Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify priorities and implement practical solutions.
- Excellent communication, negotiation and influencing skills with the ability to build effective partnerships across a range of stakeholders.
- Knowledge of psychosocial interventions, 12-step approaches and community treatment provision.
- Experience of supervising therapeutic group work and supporting clinical or counselling practitioners.
- Understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion principles and the ability to work sensitively with diverse populations.
- Knowledge of policies, procedures and governance requirements within health, social care or criminal justice services.
- Strong IT skills, including experience of Microsoft Office packages and database monitoring systems.
If you are committed to reducing health inequalities, improving continuity of care and supporting individuals to achieve meaningful recovery outcomes, we would love to hear from you.
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, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community. We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity.
Benefits
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- BHSF Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme: Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Diversity at Forward Trust
The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with Lived Experience of addiction, offending, or homelessness. Some of our roles may require a minimum period of sustained recovery (normally around 3 years). This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and exceptions may be considered depending on the role and individual circumstances.
When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.
To find out more about Forward's commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy, please click here.
We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.
Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the Eligibility to Work in the UK requirements.
Our Commitment to Safeguarding
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follows safer recruitment practices and supports a culture of openness and accountability.
Service Manager HMP Brixton - Brixton employer: The Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome challenges and achieve meaningful employment. Located in Medway and Gravesham, we foster a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, offering flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training, and professional development opportunities. Join us to lead a passionate team, make a real difference in the community, and enjoy generous benefits including annual leave, a contributory pension scheme, and wellbeing days.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Service Manager HMP Brixton - Brixton
✨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 The Forward Trust.
✨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 The Forward Trust!
✨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 The Forward Trust, 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 The Forward Trust 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 Service Manager HMP Brixton - Brixton
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 The Forward Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Forward Trust! 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 The Forward Trust
✨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.
