Substance Use Practitioner - Young Person Service

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

Job summary

A local government organization in Portsmouth is seeking a Substance Misuse Practitioner to provide interventions for young people with substance misuse concerns. This role involves delivering assessments, supporting emotional wellbeing, coordinating outreach campaigns, and working closely with safeguarding. The ideal candidate will have a recognized qualification in Health or Social Care and experience in diverse settings with young people. This is a part-time position requiring some evening availability.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people in diverse settings.
• Experience of assessing and working with Gillick Competency for young people.
• Enthusiasm and drive for positive outcomes for young people.
• Understanding of evidence-based interventions and behaviour change with young people.

Responsibilities

• Deliver 1:1 assessments and interventions for young people with substance misuse concerns.
• Support emotional wellbeing and contribute to safeguarding.
• Deliver targeted education sessions and coordinate outreach campaigns.
• Maintain accurate case records and comply with data protection standards.
• Work flexibly, including occasional evenings to meet the needs of young people.

Skills

Excellent communication

Organisational skills

Partnership skills

Strong safeguarding knowledge

Ability to engage vulnerable individuals

Education

Recognised qualification (NVQ Level 3 or above) in Health, Youth, Community, Social Care, or Education

Job description

About Portsmouth City Council

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.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people‑focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.

Job introduction

Contract: Permanent - Part time - 30 hours per week

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. The post holder works 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 Misuse 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 peop

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

• 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.

Important

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. You 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.

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. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

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

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal.

Safeguarding Roles

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

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.

You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.

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