Prison Group Drug and Alcohol Strategy Lead - South West Prisons (Ref: 21869)

Location: 19 Cambridge Rd, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8PS, UK; Denbury, Newton Abbot TQ12, UK; Erlestoke, Devizes SN10, UK; Gloucester GL12 8BT, UK; Verne Common Rd, Portland DT5 1EQ, UK; Exeter, UK; Shaftesbury SP7, UK; Grove, Portland DT5, UKSalary: 57,398 - 63,139 per yearEmployment: Full timeCategory: Social CarePosted: 2026-09-05Valid to: 2026-09-19Apply: https://jobs.justice.gov.uk/careers/JobDetail/21869?entityId=21869Employer: HM Prison & Probation ServiceJob summaryPlease refer to Job DescriptionJob descriptionThis is a Group Lead role with the expectation that the successful candidate will be able to carry out prison visits across the South West Prison Group. The approximate frequency of visits is 2 per week. The job holder will be responsible for providing regional drug and alcohol strategy advice to establishments within their Prison Group. Providing assurance to the Prison Group Director (PGD), Area Executive Director (AED) and delivering work aligned to the strategic direction set out by HQ. The post will provide direct support to establishments to deliver a comprehensive prison drug and alcohol strategy. They will be the integral link for establishments, the PGD and HQ in all matters associated with this essential work. In the interests of promoting drug and alcohol strategy outcomes for all, support from this role should also be made available to privately managed prisons. This is a non-operational role, open to both operational and non operational staff. There is no line management responsibility.The role is responsible for leading the development and management of the regional drug and alcohol strategy, ensuring alignment with national policies and HMPPS objectives. This includes supporting establishments in reducing drug and alcohol supply and demand, overseeing provider contracts and fostering recovery environments like Incentivised Substance Free Living Units (ISFLs) and Drug Recovery Wings (DRWs). The post holder will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring integrated service delivery and effective joint working across the region. Additionally, the role involves monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of drug strategies, conducting assurance visits, and identifying areas for improvement. The post holder will disseminate best practices, support the annual needs analysis process, and provide responsive support during drug-related incidents. They will also ensure compliance with national drug policies and drive improvements in service delivery and outcomes within the region. The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: Lead the development, implementation and ongoing management of the regional drug and alcohol strategy, ensuring alignment with national policies, strategic goals and HMPPS objectives, including the development of recovery environments (ISFLs, DRWs) across the assigned establishments. Provide detailed management information to the Area Executive Director, Prison Group Director and HQ, offering insight into performance, governance and practices within each establishment. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., safer custody, security, healthcare providers and drug and alcohol services) to reduce drug and alcohol supply and demand, supporting the development and implementation of relevant policies and strategies. Support establishments in reducing drug and alcohol supply and demand, offering direct support to Governors, conducting assurance visits and providing advice on improving drug strategy outcomes. Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of drug and alcohol strategies within establishments, using established tools to assess outcomes against local action plans, identifying areas for improvement and providing ongoing support. Oversee and manage provider contracts for services related to drug and alcohol, ensuring services meet outcomes and are aligned with national standards and regional needs. Support an annual needs analysis process to ensure that drug-related needs are identified and addressed appropriately within each establishment. Drive improvements in service delivery and compliance with national drug and alcohol strategies and policies, fostering a whole-prison approach to rehabilitation and recovery. Identify, capture and disseminate good practices and lessons learned across establishments and the wider Prisons Directorate to promote consistency and enhance service delivery. Respond to drug and alcohol related incidents (including deaths in custody) and support HMIP outcomes related to drug strategies, ensuring timely action, reporting and improvements. Collaborate with Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators (H&JPC), local Criminal Justice Partnerships (LCJP), Lived Experience Recovery Organisations (LEROs) to strengthen external partnerships, continuity of care, and enhance service delivery.The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder. The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.Person specificationPlease refer to Job DescriptionBehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Communicating and InfluencingDelivering at PaceLeadershipManaging a Quality ServiceSeeing the Big PictureWorking TogetherBenefitsAlongside your salary of 57,398, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes 16,628 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).Access to learning and developmentA working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balanceA working culture which encourages inclusion and diversityA Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%Annual LeavePublic HolidaysSeason Ticket AdvanceFor more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page. Link: Things you need to knowArtificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a standard (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis job is broadly open to the following groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).Apply and further informationThis vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.Contact point for applicantsJob contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries TeamEmail : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.ukTelephone : 0345 241 5358Recruitment teamEmail : moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.ukFurther informationAppointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles. If you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: