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Job summary

Main area
Substance Misuse
Grade
Band 5
Contract
Fixed term: 8 months (Subject to extension dependant on funding.)
Hours
Full time - 37.5 hours per week
Job ref
455-NLFT-1054
Employer
North London NHS Foundation Trust
Employer type
NHS
Site
Old Court House, Enable-Alcohol and Drug Services
Town
Enfield
Salary
£36,943 - £44,900 Per annum including Outer London Allowance
Salary period
Yearly
Closing
12/08/2026 23:59

Employer heading

North London NHS Foundation Trust logo

Substance Misuse recovery partnership worker

Band 5

Thank you for your interest in North London NHS Foundation Trust (NLFT).

As of 1 April 2026, NLFT has formally merged with Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust—marking the start of an exciting new chapter. This is a unique opportunity to join a forward-thinking organisation at a time of transformation, where we are strengthening access to mental health services, responding more effectively to complex and specialist needs, and advancing our work in education, research and innovation.

By bringing together our combined expertise, we are building a stronger, more collaborative Trust—one that delivers consistent, high-quality care and improved outcomes for the diverse communities we serve.

At the heart of our approach is The North London Way. We are committed to:

  • Working collaboratively at every level, guided by our shared values
  • Shaping a positive, inclusive culture where staff and service users thrive
  • Empowering our teams with the skills, tools and autonomy to drive meaningful change
  • Delivering excellence and continuously improving the quality of care we provide
  • Embedding research, innovation and technology across our services
  • Taking a trauma-informed approach in everything we do

We are proud to be an inclusive employer that values diversity. We actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly from our local communities, and are committed to creating opportunities for everyone—including apprentices, veterans and care leavers.

The North London Way to deliver: Better Mental Health, Better Lives, Better Communities.

Our trust website is:  https://www.northlondonmentalhealth.nhs.uk/ 

As a values‑driven Trust, we recruit through our values. Our selection processes focus on behaviours, attitudes, and examples that reflect our organisational values and commitment to compassionate, high‑quality care.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a set of technology that can perform various tasks that typically required human intelligence. Your application is your opportunity to demonstrate to us how you meet the requirements of the role.

We recognise that AI tools can support accessibility, equity and confidence for applicants. However, it’s important that examples and responses genuinely reflect your own experience and abilities, as these will be explored further during the selection process. AI must not be used to provide misleading or false information during any stage of the application journey.

Further guidance can be found in the NLPSS Applicant Toolkit  https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

North London NHS Foundation Trust is committed to fair and transparent recruitment and requires applicants to provide accurate information, as misleading details may affect their application or employment and may be verified in line with the Fraud Act 2006. For further information please visit https://royalfree.pagetiger.com/cuuomnr/1.

Job overview

The Substance Misuse Recovery Partnership Worker is a key role within Enable Drug and Alcohol Services, responsible for strengthening integration between substance misuse services, social care, and wider partner agencies. The postholder provides specialist expertise to support early identification of substance use needs, improve access to treatment, and promote coordinated, holistic care for individuals and families affected by substance use. 
The role focuses on delivering patient‑centred interventions, including assessment, brief interventions, care planning, and harm reduction, while supporting safeguarding and risk management processes. It also involves developing partnerships, reducing barriers to access, and ensuring effective multi‑agency working to improve outcomes across health, social care, and community pathways.

Main duties of the job

  • Deliver screening, assessment, and care planning for individuals with substance use needs, including risk management and safeguarding.
  • Provide brief interventions, harm reduction advice, and supported referrals to treatment and partner services.
  • Manage a caseload of service users with complex needs, including those in opioid substitute treatment, ensuring ongoing engagement and review of care plans.
  • Work collaboratively with social care, healthcare, and community partners to support integrated care pathways and improve access to services.
  • Identify and act on safeguarding concerns, escalating risks in line with Trust policy.
  • Maintain accurate, timely clinical records in line with information governance standards.
  • Contribute to service development, audits, and staff training, promoting trauma‑informed and inclusive practice.
  • Participate in multi-disciplinary team working, supervision, and partnership forums to support continuous service improvement.

 

Working for our organisation

Our values

The Trust’s values are:

  • Compassion
  • Respect
  • Being Positive
  • Working together

NHS VALUES

 It is recommended that where possible the NHS values below are reflected in job descriptions. Please go to the NHS Confederation website for further information www.nhsconfed.org

RESPECT AND DIGNITY

We value each person as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits. We take what others have to say seriously. We are honest about our point of view and what we can and cannot do.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY OF CARE

We earn the trust that is placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics right every time – safety, confidentiality, professional and managerial integrity, accountability, dependable service and good communication. We welcome feedback, learn from our mistakes and build on our success.

COMPASSION

We find the time to listen and talk when it is needed, make the effort to understand and get on and do the small things that mean so much – not because we are asked to but because we care.

Improving lives

We strive to improve health and well-being and people’s experiences of the NHS. We value excellence and professionalism wherever we find it – in the everyday things that make people’s lives better as much as in clinical practice, service improvements and innovation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

The Substance Misuse Recovery Partnership Worker is responsible for delivering highquality, integrated care to individuals and families affected by substance use, with a strong emphasis on safeguarding, partnership working, and patientcentred practice.

Clinical and Patient Care Responsibilities

The postholder will undertake screening, triage, and comprehensive assessments of service users, including physical health, mental health, and social needs.  They will provide brief interventions, harm reduction advice, and structured treatment support, including work with individuals on opioid substitute treatment and those with complex needs.  The role includes managing a caseload, developing and reviewing care plans, and ensuring ongoing engagement through a traumainformed, nonjudgemental approach.

Safeguarding and Risk Management

The postholder is responsible for identifying and responding to safeguarding concerns, including domestic abuse, exploitation, and vulnerability, and escalating issues in line with Trust policies.  They will support effective risk assessment, safety planning, and multiagency safeguarding processes, ensuring the protection of children and vulnerable adults.

 

This is not an exhaustive list, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.

Person specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential criteria
  • NVQ Health and social care
  • Basic education
  • other relevant qualification
Desirable criteria
  • Drug and alcohol related qualification
  • Social worker Qualification

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential criteria
  • Experience in drug and alcohol field
  • Demonstrate relevant knowledge gained in previous employment or elsewhere
  • other relevant qualification
Desirable criteria
  • Experience in working directly with Adult and children social care

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Essential criteria
  • Specific skills that will enable candidate to fulfill job role, including IT skills
Desirable criteria
  • previous knowledge experience working with Thesus/RIO

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential criteria
  • Should include team working, interpersonal skills and written and verbal skills, importance of a positive “can do” attitude and a positive attitude to change

Employer certification / accreditation badges

NHS Pastoral Care Quality AwardVeteran AwareApprenticeships logoNo smoking policyPositive about disabled peopleJob share policyAge positiveImproving working livesCare quality commission - GoodArmed Forces Covenant Gold AwardMindful employer.  Being positive about mental health.Disability confident employerCare Leaver CovenantStonewall equality policy. Equality and justice for lesbians, gay men, bisexual and trans people.Step into healthAccredited Living Wage Employer

Applicant requirements

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Documents to download

Apply online now

Further details / informal visits contact

Name
Sabrina Miller-Cummings
Job title
Operational Manager
Email address
[email protected]
Telephone number
02083796010
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