Job Summary
The Substance Misuse Nurse provides specialist clinical care and recovery-focused interventions to individuals engaged with the criminal justice system who experience drug and/or alcohol misuse.

Working within the CANOL Offender Intervention Service, the post holder supports the delivery of integrated interventions and dispensing medication aimed at addressing substance misuse as a driver of offending behaviour, improving health outcomes, and reducing reoffending across South Wales custodial and community pathways.

The role contributes to a holistic programme offering therapeutic interventions and health and wellbeing support. The service works with people who have entered the criminal justice system due to substance misuse and aims to break cycles of harmful use and offending through coordinated multi-agency support.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake comprehensive physical and psychosocial assessments of individuals presenting with substance misuse issues.
• Assess drug and alcohol dependence, withdrawal risks, and associated health concerns.
• Work with the CANOL Multidisciplinary team to develop, implement individualised care and recovery plans.
• Deliver evidence-based substance misuse interventions.
• Monitor service users physical health and wellbeing.
• Support safe detoxification and stabilisation programmes (where applicable).
• Provide harm-reduction interventions including overdose prevention education.
• Work collaboratively within probation, courts, prison and criminal justice settings.
• Support individuals who have been sentenced by the courts to a Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR) and those who are transitioning from custody and community services.
• Contribute to reducing substance-related offending behaviour.
• Participate in risk assessments relating to harm, safeguarding, and vulnerability.
• Liaise with probation, prison staff, healthcare providers, and third-sector partners.

Health Promotion and Education

• Deliver health promotion interventions addressing blood-borne viruses (BBV), safer injecting practices, alcohol harm awareness and physical health improvement.
• Encourage engagement in wellbeing, education, and recovery opportunities offered by the service.

Care Coordination

• Maintain accurate clinical documentation.
• Coordinate referrals to mental health services, community drug and alcohol teams, primary healthcare, and social and recovery support services.
• Support continuity of care on release from custody.

Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Identify safeguarding concerns for adults.
• Follow organisational safeguarding procedures.
• Participate in multi-agency risk management processes.

Multidisciplinary Team Working

• Work as part of an integrated team including recovery practitioners, criminal justice professionals, psychosocial staff and healthcare providers.
• Attend case reviews and MDT meetings.
• Provide clinical advice to non-clinical colleagues.

Clinical Governance

• Adhere to NMC Code of Practice.
• Maintain professional registration and CPD.
• Participate in supervision, audit, and service evaluation.
• Follow prison security procedures and organisational policies.

Person Specification
Essential Qualifications

• Registered Nurse (General or Mental Health)
• Current NMC Registration
• Evidence of continuous professional development

Essential Experience

• Experience working with substance misuse or addictions.
• Experience supporting vulnerable or complex populations.
• Clinical assessment and care planning experience.

Desirable Experience

• Prison or criminal justice healthcare.
• Community drug and alcohol services.
• Dual diagnosis experience.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong clinical assessment skills
• Risk assessment and safeguarding awareness
• Trauma-informed practice
• Excellent communication and engagement skills
• Ability to work autonomously and within MDT environments
• Understanding of recovery-focused approaches

Personal Attributes

• Structured and methodical
• Commercially aware and risk-focused
• Confident leading people and making decisions
• Comfortable escalating risks and raising concerns where necessary
• Able to work autonomously within an operational environment

Benefits

• Pension salary scheme available
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP): confidential 24/7 support
• Access to perks at work

Please note, in order to apply, all applicants need to have been living in the United Kingdom (with residency in the UK, such as UK/Irish/EU Passport, or an Indefinite Leave to Remain Visa) for the last 5 years with no more than a 28-day break being outside of the UK and no gaps in employment during this time.

Email CV to: RECRUITMENT@DRPASECURE.CO.UK

Shortlisted candidates will be asked for RTW, DBS/CTC consent and references. 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 to check for any previous criminal convictions. Applicants must have current UK professional registration.