Harm Reduction Team Leader

Inclusion; Eastleigh; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Inclusion service is seeking a Harm Reduction Team Leader to guide a team delivering outreach, in-reach and community-based harm reduction across Hampshire. The role is a 12-month fixed-term contract reporting to the Service Lead for Harm Reduction and Housing, with a focus on trauma-informed, recovery-focused care.

The post requires operational leadership, supervision of Harm Reduction Workers, and partnerships with housing providers,

Qualifications

• Experience delivering harm reduction interventions to people who use drugs/alcohol.
• Line management/leadership experience with staff.
• Experience undertaking HR processes such as attendance, performance improvement and appraisals.
• Proven ability to oversee operational performance, monitor caseloads and maintain high standards of service quality.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational management and leadership of the Harm Reduction Team delivering services across Hampshire.
• Deliver effective line management, supervision, appraisal and staff development.
• Ensure the consistent delivery of evidence-based harm reduction interventions and health promotion.
• Monitor team performance and quality standards, using data, feedback and audits to inform continuous improvement.
• Coordinate staffing resources, workload allocation and service coverage across Hampshire.

Skills

Harm reduction

Team leadership

Staff management

Performance monitoring

Education

Foundation Degree/HNC

Job description

This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. If it is identified that you require sponsorship your application may be withdrawn

Are you passionate about reducing drug and alcohol related harm and leading compassionate, strengths-based services that make a meaningful difference to people's lives?

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Harm Reduction Team Leader to join Inclusion Recovery Hampshire, on a 12-month fixed-term contract. Reporting to the Service Lead for Harm Reduction and Housing, you will provide operational leadership and day-to-day management of a team of Harm Reduction Workers delivering outreach, in-reach and community-based harm reduction services across Hampshire.

The team works alongside people who use drugs and alcohol, including those experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping and multiple disadvantage. Through proactive outreach, pharmacy partnerships, mobile provision and community engagement, the service seeks to reduce harm, improve health outcomes and increase access to treatment and wider support.

As part of the wider leadership team, you will support staff to deliver person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed and recovery-focused interventions. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in substance use services and harm reduction practice who is looking to develop their leadership skills while helping shape innovative and accessible services for people facing barriers to support.

Main duties of the job

As Harm Reduction Team Leader, you will provide operational leadership, supervision and support to a team of Harm Reduction Workers delivering services across Hampshire.

You will oversee outreach, in-reach, pharmacy liaison and community-based harm reduction activity, ensuring services are safe, effective, responsive and delivered in line with contractual, organisational and quality standards.

You will support staff working alongside people experiencing substance use, homelessness, rough sleeping, trauma, mental health difficulties and social exclusion. Through regular supervision, coaching and practice development, you will promote strengths-based, trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches that reduce harm and improve wellbeing.

The role includes monitoring performance, activity and outcomes, managing staffing arrangements and service coverage, supporting recruitment and induction processes, and contributing to audits, governance and service improvement initiatives.

You will work closely with the Service Lead for Harm Reduction and Housing and develop strong partnerships with housing providers, homelessness services, healthcare organisations, pharmacies, criminal justice agencies and community partners to improve access, engagement and outcomes for people using our services.

About us

Midlands Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust Inclusion service offers psychological and drug & alcohol services, in the community, and in prisons, and has contracts across the country.

As an organisation we serve a population of 1.5 million and currently employ around 9000 members of staff.

We have a wide range of exciting opportunities for people looking to work in a truly integrated NHS organisation. By joining MPFT you will become part of a team who are empowered and supported to deliver care in a way which is consistent with our values:

• Putting people at the heart of what we do
• Empowering people to improve care and wellbeing
• Delivering better health, better care in partnership

Please be aware that the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in completing application forms will be monitored to ensure fairness and transparency. If you have used AI you must state this in your application.

Please note, we may be required to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications

Job responsibilities

Please see the Job Description for full details; a summary is provided below:

Provide day-to-day operational management and leadership of the Harm Reduction Team. Deliver effective line management, supervision, appraisal and development of Harm Reduction Workers. Support staff to provide person-centred, strengths-based, trauma-informed and recovery-focused support. Ensure the consistent delivery of evidence-based harm reduction interventions, including overdose prevention, naloxone provision, BBV prevention and wider health promotion. Monitor team performance and quality standards, using data, feedback and audits to inform continuous improvement. Coordinate staffing resources, workload allocation and service coverage across Hampshire. Support recruitment, induction, training and workforce development. Promote positive risk management, safeguarding and professional accountability within the team.

Please read the Person Specification below carefully before applying. The essential and desirable criteria will be used for shortlisting, so ensure your supporting information clearly demonstrates how you meet these requirements

Person Specification

Experience

• Practical experience supporting people who use drugs and/or alcohol, including delivery of harm reduction interventions.
• Line management/leadership experience including providing supervision to staff
• Experience undertaking HR processes such as managing attendance, performance improvement planning and appraisals with staff
• Proven ability to oversee operational performance, monitor caseloads and maintain high standards of service quality

Skills

• Understanding of key harm reduction approaches such as safer injecting, overdose prevention, naloxone, blood-borne viruses and safer alcohol use.

Qualifications

• Foundation Degree/HNC in related field which may include counselling, social work, nursing, psychology, human resources, social studies, leadership and management.

Other

• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use (travelling between sites in the course of the role)

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.