Substance Misuse Practitioner

East Sussex County Council; Eastbourne; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

East Sussex County Council is recruiting a Substance Misuse Practitioner for the Under 25s Service in Eastbourne. You will deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions to young people and families affected by substance misuse, carrying out assessments and casework across the county in collaboration with health and social care partners.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, receive supervision and CPD support, and contribute to positive outcomes for service users.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with young people and professionals.
• Ability to work with health professionals to deliver multi-agency packages of support.
• Ability to assess service users and manage risk in the community with supervision.

Responsibilities

• Deliver assessment and casework functions for young people and families.
• Provide evidenced-based psychosocial interventions (e.g., motivational interviewing).
• Collaborate with Children’s, Adult Services and Health to achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Engagement with youth

Multi-agency working

Risk assessment

Therapeutic approaches

Education

Relevant qualification

Job description

Job Description

Are you able to engage with complex and diverse young people and their families? Join us to build a strong relationship that will enable them to address their substance misuse and make changes that will improve their health, wellbeing, life opportunities and constantly strive for successful outcomes.

East Sussex Under 25's Substance Misuse Service are recruiting a Substance Misuse Practitioner to deliver evidenced based treatment interventions to young people and their families who are impacted by substance misuse. This is an opportunity to join a specialist multi-disciplinary team delivering services across the county.

Working across county you will deliver an assessment and casework function delivering a range of evidenced based psychosocial interventions E.G. Specialist harm reduction, Motivational Interviewing. You will work closely with our partners in Children's, Adult Services and Health to ensure that Young People accessing the service achieve the best outcomes.

You will be part of an experienced supportive team who consistently achieve positive outcomes for our service users. You will access excellent and regular staff support mechanisms e.g. supervision, reflective practice and practice development sessions, with Continuing professional development a service priority.

We are looking for candidates with;

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills and ability to engage with service users, including young people, and other professionals.
• Ability to work jointly with Health professionals to deliver multi agency packages of support.
• The ability to assess service users and manage risk in the community by utilising supervision and support from colleagues.
• Understanding of issues affecting service users whose own experiences have impacted on their emotional and psychological health and who may engage in risky behaviours.
• Knowledge of the issues faced by service users who are experiencing emotional difficulty which may manifest itself in harmful behaviours.
• Understanding of different therapeutic approaches which can be used to support emotionally vulnerable people.

Please see the Job Description and Person Specification for further information.

N.B. If you are a Social Worker or Nurse applying for this role, we will support you maintaining your professional registration.

Interviews will take place in person in Eastbourne in September 2026. If you are unavailable on this date, let us know and we may be able to schedule an alternative date to interview you.

This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to help people make tangible and meaningful changes that will improve their lives.

We offer a diverse range of benefits to help and support you during your employment. More information can be found on our benefits page .

For an informal discussion about this opportunity contact Mark Menning, Practice Manager at [e-mail] to request a MS teams call or phone call.

"I really like the hands-on approach of support work and knowing that I’m making a difference." Kayleigh, Team Leader

For work that makes a difference, choose East Sussex!

About Us

Additional Information

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check or Enhanced check for Regulated Activity with the Disclosure & Barring Services (previously the Criminal Records Bureau). For further information about what is required in this process please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record . Please note that we require evidence of an overseas police check if you have lived or worked abroad.

Your starting salary will be pro rata if the above position is part-time or term-time only.

If you require sponsorship to work in the UK please let the hiring manager know this in your application so we can check eligibility for sponsorship for the role. For further information please go to https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas

If you require any reasonable adjustments, due to disability, to enable you to participate fully in the process please contact the hiring manager on the contact details above.