Join our integrated Family Safeguarding team and play a key role in supporting families affected by substance misuse to achieve positive and lasting change. This rewarding full-time, 12-month fixed-term opportunity offers the chance to work alongside both children’s and adults’ social care professionals in a collaborative and supportive environment, where your expertise in substance misuse interventions and safeguarding will help protect vulnerable families and improve outcomes.
We are looking for a motivated and compassionate professional who is eager to further develop their skills within a friendly, creative and dedicated team.
Please note there is no flexibility to work from home in this role.
(Any successful internal candidate will be offered the position as a secondment and, in line with Section 8.1 of the Secondment Policy, must consult with their manager before applying. Search ‘secondment policy’ on the intranet for more information).
About you…
You will have strong expertise in substance misuse interventions with the ability to assess needs and identify risks effectively.
You will be part of a collaborative team whilst also working independently when required. A solid understanding of safeguarding practices and confidentiality is crucial for this role.
As a valued member of our integrated team, comprising both children’s and adults' social workers, you will play a vital role in supporting and protecting vulnerable families helping to transform their lives for the better.
You will follow guidelines and processes for Drug and Alcohol Action Team (New Hope) and have access to both Adult Social Care and Children Social Care systems.
About the team…
We support and empower parents to make positive changes to improve the outcomes for their children and their own wellbeing. We do this by bringing together children's and adult's social workers who specialise in mental health, domestic abuse and substance misuse.
Bracknell Forest Council have a nationally recognised practice model – the ‘Family Safeguarding Model’ and a recent Ofsted Inspection rated our Children Social Care service as outstanding.
As part of the team, you will receive regular supervision, participate in team meetings, engage in reflective group practice and access a range of additional support and development opportunities.
We offer an extensive training programme for all members of staff which is designed so that members of our team are knowledgeable on substance misuse and the interventions that can be delivered to support individuals.
Key responsibilities…
* To work with high-risk families affected by substance misuse, providing advice, harm reduction support and promoting positive engagement with services to improve outcomes for children.
* To work alongside social workers and deliver a full range of interventions on a one-to-one basis, in group settings and in the community, utilising motivational interviewing to enhance motivation and improve parenting capacity.
* To manage an agreed caseload of adults' and complete comprehensive risk assessments and develop risk management plans to regularly review risk.
* To contribute to the development of individual recovery plans, review these quarterly and support them to achieve their agreed outcomes. Provide health education in respect of reducing harm, blood borne viruses, overdose prevention and where required provide safe storage boxes and advice.
* To undertake drug testing as required and support staff to understand and undertake these tasks, following safety guidelines and protocol.
* To attend multi professional meetings such as group case supervisions, child protection conferences, child in need meetings and strategy meetings and provide professional written reports as evidence to these services.
* Provide training to children’s social care staff in respect of substance misuse and other techniques that are proven to be beneficial.
* To keep confidential records and spreadsheets, ensuring all information is relevant and up to date and to enter confidential data within a timely manner into both local and national data systems in line with CQC and Ofsted requirements.
Our benefits…
* 25 days annual leave increasing to 28 days after 3 years’ continuous service, with the opportunity to buy up to 10 and sell up to 5 days.
* Hybrid working opportunities to support your wellbeing and work-life balance.
* Paid employee volunteering scheme.
* Local government pension scheme, with life insurance cover.
* Recognition of continuous service attained within the NHS and UKHSA when calculating some benefits. (Terms and Conditions apply)
* Career development through internal and external training opportunities.
* Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and fostering leave.
* Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support your health and wellbeing
* Inclusive and social working environment with a variety of staff networks and a sports and social club.
Find out more about all our benefits or see the candidate pack.
Our values...
At Bracknell Forest Council our values define who we are and what is important to us. Our core values are inclusive, ambitious, and always learning. These values influence the way we work with each other and the way we serve our residents and engage with our communities. We make our values real by demonstrating them in how we behave every day. If you are excited about joining a diverse team that celebrates learning and strives for excellence, we would love to hear from you.
Reasonable adjustments...
We are committed to ensuring an inclusive recruitment process for all applicants. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview, please let us know by contacting recruitment@bracknell-forest.gov.uk. We will work with you to support you throughout the process. Find out more about reasonable adjustments.
Interview date
Interviews will be held on 29th June 2026.
Interviews will be conducted in person, providing candidates with the chance to personally meet the team and experience our work environment.
We will be reviewing applications regularly and reserve the right to close the advert early if suitable candidates are identified. To avoid disappointment, you are advised to submit your application as soon as possible.
Please note AI is prohibited during the interview, any candidate using AI will be withdrawn from consideration.