Health & Wellbeing Practitioner - Brixton

The Substance Misuse Service at HMP Brixton delivers a range of recovery-focused psychosocial interventions within an integrated healthcare framework, known as the New Models of Care (NMOC). Working in partnership with healthcare professionals and a range of other services, the team provides holistic health and wellbeing support to men aged 18 and over who are experiencing drug and/or alcohol misuse issues.

As a Health and Wellbeing Practitioner, you will be based on site at HMP Brixton, a Category C resettlement prison in the London Borough of Lambeth. You will work as part of a multidisciplinary team with a broad range of skills and expertise, delivering combined psychosocial and clinical interventions to support individuals on their recovery journey.

You will manage a caseload of service users, undertaking comprehensive assessments, developing individualised SMART care plans and delivering appropriate harm reduction advice, guidance and support. You will facilitate structured one-to-one and group interventions, including accredited treatment programmes where relevant, using evidence-based approaches to promote positive behavioural change, recovery and improved health and wellbeing.

The role involves supporting individuals at different stages of their prison journey, including Early Days in Custody (EDiC), unscheduled care, planned care, release and resettlement. You will work collaboratively with internal and external partners, including healthcare, housing, employment, gym services, probation, transitional services and external Drug Intervention Teams, to ensure continuity of care and effective throughcare arrangements.

You will also contribute to service delivery objectives and performance targets set by Forward and local commissioners, ensuring that interventions are delivered to a high standard and meet the needs of the individuals accessing the service.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting people affected by substance misuse, understands the challenges associated with working within a custodial environment and is committed to delivering person-centred, trauma-informed and recovery-oriented support.

Professional Development

All Health and Wellbeing Practitioners and Trainees are required to complete and demonstrate a commitment to the Drug and Alcohol Workforce Development Programme (DAWFDP). This is a mandatory 12-month structured professional development programme, aligned with the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) Capability Framework. The programme forms an essential part of the role and must be undertaken at the earliest opportunity.

The service operates seven days a week, so flexibility to work evenings and weekends on a rota basis is essential.

About You

You will be a motivated, compassionate and experienced practitioner with a genuine commitment to improving the lives of individuals affected by drug and alcohol misuse. You will have the ability to engage positively with people from diverse backgrounds, including those experiencing multiple and complex needs, and demonstrate a non-judgemental, empathetic and trauma-informed approach.

You will have a Level 3 Counselling qualification and relevant experience of working within substance misuse services, ideally within the criminal justice sector. You will possess a good understanding of the challenges faced by individuals experiencing substance misuse, the criminal justice environment and the principles of the recovery agenda.

You will be confident in carrying out comprehensive assessments, developing and implementing SMART care plans, and delivering structured psychosocial interventions. You will have experience facilitating therapeutic groups and delivering one-to-one interventions, using motivational interviewing, motivational counselling and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) techniques to encourage engagement and support sustainable change.

You will also demonstrate:

• Knowledge and understanding of the criminal justice sector and the issues facing individuals affected by substance misuse.
• An understanding of recovery-oriented practice and the importance of person-centred, holistic support.
• A Level 3 Counselling qualification.
• Relevant counselling knowledge and experience, ideally within a criminal justice setting.
• Experience working within substance misuse services.
• Experience undertaking comprehensive assessments and developing, implementing and reviewing SMART care plans.
• Experience delivering structured psychosocial interventions and treatment programmes.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups and supporting individuals through group-based interventions.
• The ability to apply motivational interviewing techniques effectively in both one-to-one and group settings.
• Knowledge and practical experience of using CBT and motivational counselling skills.
• Strong communication, interpersonal and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage individuals who may be reluctant or anxious about accessing support.
• Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate, timely and confidential case records.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team and build positive working relationships with internal and external partner agencies.
• The ability to work independently, manage a caseload effectively and prioritise competing demands.
• Flexibility and a willingness to work evenings and weekends as part of a rota.

Above all, you will be passionate about promoting recovery, reducing the harms associated with substance misuse and supporting individuals to make positive changes to their lives, both during their time in custody and as they prepare for successful resettlement back into the community.

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.

Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:

• Flexible working
• Support for Families
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health 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.

Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.

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 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.