Overview
This is an exciting and innovative role within a reputable Trust and local authority to deliver quality clinical care and to marry up the support from both organisations for individuals with a dual diagnosis of substance misuse and mental illness.
Designed to complement the CMHT’s structure, the Drug and Alcohol Specialist Practitioner will be clinically responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of effective, evidence-based, patient focused specialist interventions to patients with co-occurring mental health, alcohol and substance use needs.
This will be developed through effective communication and liaison with all members of the multi-disciplinary team, Via and with other staff providing support services.
[You will be expected to primarily work on a 9-5 basis, but with the ability to work flexibly when required in order to meet the clinical needs of the service.]
Responsibilities
* Conduct comprehensive assessments of individuals’ substance use and mental health needs
* Complete effective risk management/safety plans to manage an individual’s risk to self and others
* Respond to the full range of mental health and drug and alcohol needs which maximises opportunities for engagement and eventual recovery
* Show empathy and utilise a non-judgmental approach to listening to service users
* Identify and respond to service user’s needs and goals
* Work flexibly and persistently to respond to a range of needs
* Recognise the service user’s level of motivation to address co-occurring mental health and drug and alcohol use conditions and adapt their approach accordingly
* Work proactively and flexibly to prevent service users from dropping out of the assessment process and to re-engage them if they do
* Maintain accurate and timely case notes of service user engagement and contact
* Make appropriate and timely safeguarding referrals in cases of vulnerable adults and children
* Maintain professional integrity in relationships with service users, peers and other relevant professionals
* Coordinating care with other professionals such as psychiatrists, social workers
* Contribute to the development of service policies, joint working protocols and procedures for co-occurring mental health and substance use
* Building partnerships with other organisations to improve service integration and access
About Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is a specialist mental health and community health services trust. Rated ‘outstanding’ by the CQC, we’re committed to providing the best possible care to people across Berkshire. As an employer, we’re committed to offering an inclusive and compassionate environment where our people share in a sense of belonging and are supported to flourish.
Our values at Berkshire Healthcare are:
* Caring for and about you is our top priority
* Committed to providing good quality, safe services
* Working Together with you to develop innovative solutions
Benefits
Your wellbeing is important to us. Some of the benefits of working for us include:
* Flexible working options to support work-life balance
* 27 days’ annual leave rising with service + opportunity to buy and sell
* Generous NHS pension scheme
* Excellent learning and career development opportunities
* ‘Cycle to Work’ and car leasing scheme including electric vehicles
* Access to a range of wellbeing tools and services
* Discounts at hundreds of popular retailers and restaurants
* Staff networks for race, diversity, disabilities, the environment and armed forces community to support equality
* Generous maternity, paternity, adoption and special leave
* Free parking across Trust sites
Must haves
* Conduct comprehensive assessments of individuals’ substance use and mental health needs
* Complete effective risk management/safety plans to manage an individual’s risk to self and others
* Respond to the full range of mental health and drug and alcohol needs which maximises opportunities for engagement and eventual recovery
* Make appropriate and timely safeguarding referrals in cases of vulnerable adults and children
For further information about the role, please see attached job description and person specification.
We strongly encourage you to review how you meet the criteria in the person specification and write about this point-by-point in your supporting statement for the best chance of being shortlisted.
We’re committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Our commitment to inclusion is reflected in our accreditations: Race Equality Matters Silver Trailblazer, Neurodiversity in Business Corporate Member, Disability Confident Leader, Carer Confident Level 2, and the Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award. Reasonable adjustments will be provided to candidates as needed.
We welcome a conversation about flexibility and any other questions you may have. Please don’t hesitate to call: Maureen Rawson on 0118 904 3200 or email: NewburyCMHTAdmin@berkshire.nhs.uk who’ll be delighted to help.
Please note, if we receive a high number of applications, we may close this role earlier than the advertised closing date, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
This advert closes on Thursday 2 Oct 2025
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