Community Practitioner

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne And Wear Nhs Foundation Trust; North East; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a Band 6 Community Practitioner for the Northumberland Recovery Partnership. You will lead the new project, working with addiction services to deliver recovery-focused care within local housing settings.

You will assess complex needs, coordinate services across agencies, and provide compassionate, evidence-based interventions. The post is a 2-year fixed-term contract with a focus on safeguarding and multidisciplinary

Qualifications

• Registered professional with current UK registration.
• Post-registration clinical experience in relevant setting.
• Experience in trauma-informed care and safeguarding.
• Mentor training is desirable.
• MAPPA and Child Protection experience is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Engage individuals housed in local housing projects with substance/alcohol misuse.
• Provide recovery-focused interventions and risk management.
• Collaborate with multi-agency team for holistic care.
• Carry out comprehensive assessments of complex needs.
• Develop and review care plans and documentation.

Skills

Assessment

Risk assessment

Communication

Leadership

Time management

Interpersonal skills

Multi-agency working

Autonomy

Advocacy

Conflict resolution

IT skills

Education

Nursing/AHP qualification

Post-registration clinical training

Trauma-informed care experience

MAPPA & safeguarding knowledge

Regulatory knowledge (NMC)

Job description

Community Practitioner

Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

The closing date is 12 November 2026

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Band 6 to work within the Northumberland Recovery Partnership (NRP) as lead of this new project, with the support of clinical leads within NRP. This role will be specifically for work to alongside our Northumberland Alcohol Outreach team(NAO).
This is a 2 years fixed term contract which will be reviewed toward the end of this term.
Within your role, you will work closely with local housing projects, offering in reach into the projects, supporting assessment of those not accessing treatment, reviewing those who already access treatment and supporting the housing project staff to identify and manage risks associated with addictions.
The role entails working with those affected by substance and alcohol misuse. You will be expected to support in the providing of safe and effective interventions, harm reduction advice, and use of psycho-social interventions to support service users to consider and achieve recovery.
The team consists of a well-established mix of professionals that work collaboratively to deliver individualised care.
The role involves individualised clinical assessment, care planning, formulation, and collaborative working across the multi-agency team.

Main duties of the job

As an Assertive Outreach Worker you will actively attempt to engage individuals who are housed within local housing projects with an extensive history of substance and/or alcohol misuse. You will play a vital role in guiding individuals towards recovery, offering tailored support, and coordinating services for their well-being. Your compassion, professionalism and insight will help to inspire personal recovery for those we support.

• An understanding of the challenges faced by individuals experiencing drug and alcohol issues
• Ability to build professional relationships with individuals
• Strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to work in challenging and changing environments
• To implement and evaluate care within a prescribed framework as a member of the care team ensuring that high quality, individualised care is delivered and that this promotes recovery and wellbeing and maximises independence.
• To support the team in providing excellent and effective person-centred care.
• To provide compassionate care that is based on empathy, kindness, respect and dignity.

About us

We aim to attract and retain a diverse, talented and committed workforce, who are caring and compassionate, and therefore able to meet the demands of the modern NHS now and in the future. In return we can offer a dynamic working environment in which to build a career.
NHS Employees identified as at risk of compulsory redundancy and those eligible for the NENC Re-Deployment careers hub will receive prior consideration.

Details

Date posted: 29 October 2026

Pay scheme: Agenda for change

Band: Band 6

Salary: £39,959 to £48,117 a year per annum

Contract: Fixed term

Duration: 2 years

Working pattern: Full-time

Reference number: 263-SCG26-138-HN

Job locations: Sextant House, Northumberland, NE24 2BA, United Kingdom

Person Specification

Education and Qualification

• Professional Qualification and current Professional Registration as, a First Level Registered Nurse (RNMH, RMN, RNLD) or equivalent as an AHP, Social Worker or Clinical Psychologist
• Evidence of post-registration training in clinical/ psychological interventions / skills relevant to the post and in Older Adults pathways
• Proven track record of post registration clinical experience
• Mentor Training.
• Experience of trauma informed care, Safeguarding, MAPPA (Multi Agency Panel for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults) and Child Protection.
• Up-to-date knowledge/experience of relevant legislation.

Knowledge and Experience

• Awareness and understanding of professional accountability, NMC standards and other local and national initiatives.
• 12 to 24 month band 5 qualified nurse experience dependent upon service need.

Skills and Competencies

• Proven ability to complete comprehensive assessment of complex mental health needs
• Risk Assessment Skill & Management
• Demonstrate an understanding of effective & appropriate treatment options including a range of evidence based clinical approaches as identified in N.I.C.E. Guidance).
• Demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Evidence of a high level of professional, organisational and leadership skills (self & others).
• Ability to adapt within a changing environment.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use electronic recording and relevant IT equipment.
• Ability to work effectively with other professionals using a multi-agency approach.
• Ability to work autonomously and within a team.
• Excellent time and case management skills
• Good conflict resolution skills.
• Proven track record of acting as an effective advocate for service users and their carers.

Desirable

• Post Registration Qualifications in Psychological Interventions
• Experience of working within a community team.
• Non-Medical Prescribing
• Understanding of difficult to manage/challenging behaviours.
• Clinical Leadership
• Delegation skills
• Training & Induction of staff.
• Debriefing skills.
• Teaching/Presentation skills.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

Employer details

Employer name: Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne and wear (CNTW) NHS Foundation Trust

Address: Sextant House, Northumberland, NE24 2BA, United Kingdom

Employer's website: https://www.cntw.nhs.uk/careers/

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact: Clinical Team Lead, Mark Hindhaugh, [e-mail], 01670844610