Substance Use Practitioner

Portsmouth City Council; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in Portsmouth is seeking a passionate Substance Misuse Practitioner to provide targeted interventions for young people with substance misuse concerns. The ideal candidate will possess an NVQ Level 3 qualification and have experience working with varied youth settings. Responsibilities include delivering assessments, supporting emotional wellbeing, and coordinating educational outreach. This role requires flexibility to work occasional evenings and commitment to safeguarding principles.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people in diverse settings.
• Strong ability to provide advice and support to young people experiencing substance use problems.
• Understanding of evidence-based interventions and behaviour change.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 assessments and interventions for young people with substance misuse concerns.
• Support emotional wellbeing and contribute to safeguarding and multi-agency meetings.
• Deliver targeted education sessions and coordinate outreach campaigns.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Safeguarding knowledge

Ability to engage vulnerable individuals

Education

NVQ Level 3 or above in Health, Youth, Community, Social Care, or Education

Job description

Portsmouth City Council's Drug and Alcohol Support Service (DASS) are looking for a passionate and skilled Substance Misuse Practitioner to join their dedicated team. They work with young people up to 25 years old, providing harm reduction, education, and tailored interventions to help them make positive choices and lead healthier lives.

The role

As a Substance Use Practitioner with DASS (Drug & Alcohol Support Service) this role will be providing substance misuse interventions for young people at a Drug & Alcohol Tier 2/3 level.

• Deliver 1:1 assessments and interventions for young people with substance misuse concerns.
• Support emotional wellbeing and contribute to safeguarding and multi-agency meetings.
• Deliver targeted education sessions and coordinate outreach campaigns.
• Provide screening, psychosocial interventions, care planning, and referrals to relevant services.
• Maintain accurate case records and comply with data protection and NDTMS standards.
• Work flexibly, including occasional evenings, to meet the needs of young people.

The person may also be required to work some evenings due to the nature of the role within youth settings and to support young people who may be working.

The ideal candidate will have

Essential

• A recognised qualification (NVQ Level 3 or above) in Health, Youth, Community, Social Care, or Education.
• Experience working with young people in diverse settings.
• Experience of assessing and working with Gillick Competency (in line with Fraser guidelines) for young people.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and ability to engage vulnerable individuals.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and partnership skills.
• Enthusiasm and drive for positive outcomes for young people.
• Be able to provide advice, advocacy and support to young people experiencing problems in relation to substance use.
• Have an understanding of evidence-based interventions and behaviour change with young people.

Desirable

• Sound understanding of the principles underpinning effective health improvement practice, particularly around substance misuse.
• Experience of delivering evidence-based interventions to young people experiencing problems in relation to substance use.
• Experience of behaviour change work with young people.
• Have an understanding of substances and their effect including knowledge of issues of social exclusion with young people and their families.
• Experience of motivating young people whom are often difficult to engage.
• Experience of carrying out holistic assessments with young people to determine need and risk in relation to substance use.
• To have an understanding of a variety of techniques to help build resilience, self-esteem and confidence.
• To have experience of delivering substance use training to a variety of professionals.

Please ensure that you read the full job profile attached for the details and expectations of this role, paying particular attention the section 'Who is the person' as you will need to refer to this when completing your Personal statement.

Working arrangements

You will be required to work a minimum of three full working days in the office.

Interview date

9th January 2026

Application process

We anonymise applications during application & shortlisting to ensure only relevant information is considered.

As part of your application, we ask that you complete a personal statement, this statement is crucial and is where you must demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the job against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal. We are committed to offering an interview to all those candidates that qualify under one of our commitments and meet the minimum criteria, however for roles that receive a large number of applications, this is not always possible, and we will select the candidates that best meet the minimum criteria.

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

About Portsmouth City Council

What we can offer you

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our careers portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council.

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

DBS Disclosure at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact [e-mail] or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616800.