Countywide Harm Reduction Lead Practitioner

recoveryfocus; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a Harm Reduction Lead for Recovery Steps Cumbria to drive a county-wide harm reduction program. You will work with clinical and operational teams, partner agencies, and commissioners to embed harm reduction across services, including Naloxone provision, NSP, BBV testing, and related interventions.

You will analyse data to identify trends, shape service development, and promote peer-led approaches while maintaining strong partnerships with stakeholders and communities across

Qualifications

• A Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care, or above (or equivalent), or a willingness to work towards one while in post.
• Experience delivering one-to-one and group interventions, alongside harm reduction training for staff and people using services.
• Understanding of evidence-based interventions, including brief interventions, motivational interviewing (MI), psychosocial interventions (PSIs), cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and ITEP.
• Experience working with carers and families.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Outlook, alongside experience using management information systems and social media networks.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with a wide range of colleagues, partners and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead harm reduction strategy: Develop and implement a county-wide harm reduction plan, including NSP, Naloxone and BBV testing, treatment and immunisation.
• Improve access to support: Work with clinical and operational teams to ensure people can access community and pharmacy needle and syringe provision, Naloxone and appropriate BBV services.
• Develop innovative approaches: Lead the development and delivery of Peer-to-Peer Naloxone initiatives and support peer and volunteer involvement in harm reduction.
• Use data to drive improvement: Analyse local, regional and national information to identify trends, understand emerging risks and inform future service delivery.
• Build effective partnerships: Work collaboratively with colleagues, partner agencies, commissioners and other stakeholders to strengthen relationships and improve outcomes across Cumbria.
• Share expertise and best practice: Attend relevant strategic meetings, forums and networks, keeping up to date with developments in harm reduction, policy and legislation.
• Promote safety and safeguarding: Identify and respond to potential risks, following organisational safeguarding procedures and working with relevant authorities where necessary.
• Support service development: Contribute to local management discussions, thematic working groups and wider organisational priorities, helping ensure services remain effective, responsive and evidence-based.

Skills

Communication skills

Relationship building

Data analysis

Harm reduction knowledge

Microsoft Office

Education

Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care

Tools

Management information systems

Social media networks

Job description

Waythrough is seeking a Harm Reduction Lead for Recovery Steps Cumbria to drive a county-wide harm reduction program. You will work with clinical and operational teams, partner agencies, and commissioners to embed harm reduction across services, including Naloxone provision, NSP, BBV testing, and related interventions.

You will analyse data to identify trends, shape service development, and promote peer-led approaches while maintaining strong partnerships with stakeholders and communities across