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

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 ana