Harm Reduction Lead Practitioner

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

Benefits offered by this job

27 days’ annual leave

Pension scheme (employer contrib.)

Life assurance (3× salary)

Birthday leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Discounts and wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Waythrough is recruiting a Harm Reduction Lead to develop and deliver a county-wide harm reduction plan across Cumbria, working with clinical teams, partner agencies and communities from six hubs. The role requires driving across Cumbria, delivering Naloxone and BBV services, and shaping peer-led approaches within a supportive, collaborative structure.

The post focuses on reducing harms, improving outcomes for those affected by substance use, and implementing data-driven strategies in

Qualifications

• A Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
• Experience delivering one-to-one and group interventions in harm reduction.
• Understanding of evidence-based interventions (MI, PSI, CBT, ITEP).
• Experience working with carers and families.
• Good IT skills including MS Office; experience with MIS and social media networks.
• Full driving licence and willingness to travel across Cumbria.

Responsibilities

• Lead county-wide harm reduction plan across six hubs and the community.
• Improve access to NSP, Naloxone and BBV services.
• Develop Peer-to-Peer Naloxone initiatives and peer/volunteer involvement.
• Analyze local/regional/national data to identify trends and inform service delivery.
• Build partnerships with colleagues, partner agencies, commissioners and stakeholders.
• Share expertise through strategic meetings and networks.
• Promote safeguarding and respond to risks per safeguarding procedures.
• Support service development within local management discussions.

Skills

Strong communication

Full driving licence

Analytical skills

IT skills / MS Office

Stakeholder engagement

Project planning

Education

A Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care

Tools

Management information systems

Social media networks

Job description

Location, Working Hours, Contract Type, Salary

Location: 1st Floor, Stocklund House, Castle Street, Carlisle, CA3 8SY (county‑wide role across six hubs and within the community)

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £31,030.00–£41,980.00

Please note: The salary range reflects the full earning potential for this role, with progression within the salary band subject to the relevant criteria.

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

About Waythrough

Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

Make a real difference in your community.

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.

About the role

As Harm Reduction Lead within Recovery Steps Cumbria, you’ll take the lead in developing and delivering a strategic harm reduction plan across the county. Working closely with clinical and operational teams, partner agencies, commissioners and other stakeholders, you’ll help ensure harm reduction is embedded throughout service delivery.

You’ll lead on key areas of work, including Naloxone provision, needle and syringe programmes (NSP), blood‑borne virus (BBV) testing and treatment, hepatitis C provision and the prevention of drug‑related deaths. Using local, regional and national data, you’ll identify emerging trends, inform service development and help shape effective responses to the changing needs of the people we support.

You’ll also play an important role in developing peer‑led approaches, including Peer‑to‑Peer Naloxone provision, and sharing knowledge and best practice across our services and wider professional networks.

Based at Stocklund House in Carlisle, this is a county‑wide role working across six hubs and within the community. You’ll need a full driving licence and the flexibility to travel across Cumbria to work with colleagues, partner organisations and the people who use our services.

This is a varied and influential opportunity for someone who can combine specialist knowledge with strong partnership working, effective communication and a commitment to improving outcomes for people affected by substance use.

What you’ll do

• 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.

To succeed in this role, you’ll need:

• 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.
• An 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.
• The ability to analyse information, identify opportunities for improvement and translate plans into effective practice.
• A full driving licence and the ability to travel across Cumbria, working across six hubs and within the community.
• A compassionate, flexible and proactive approach, with a commitment to reducing harm, promoting safeguarding and improving outcomes for people affected by substance use.
• Experience in harm reduction planning, substance misuse services, safeguarding and Hidden Harm, risk management and recovery planning would be advantageous.
• A relevant professional qualification, such as addiction studies, counselling, social work or a therapeutic qualification, would also be beneficial.

What We Offer

• 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family‑friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion and accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

Closing Date: 2026-11-02

Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support. We have 260 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 130,000 people.