Substance Misuse Specialist Practitioner

Substance Misuse Specialist Practitioner – Multiple Compound Needs (MCN)

East Sussex | Full Time | 37.5 Hours
Help women rebuild safety, stability and belief in what’s possible.

Some women arrive at refuge having survived more than anyone should have to.

• Domestic abuse.
• Homelessness.
• Mental ill health.
• Substance dependency.
• Trauma layered on trauma.

What they need is more than a service.
They need people who can see beyond the crisis—who can build trust, work without judgement, and help create a future that feels safe again.

At Change Grow Live, we believe recovery is possible for everyone.

Guided by our values—Be open, be compassionate and be bold—we work alongside people facing some of the most complex challenges, creating spaces where healing, recovery and long-term change can happen.

We are now looking for a Substance Misuse Specialist Practitioner to join a pioneering Multiple Compound Needs (MCN) Multi-Disciplinary Team across East Sussex.

Why this role matters

This is not a traditional substance misuse role.

You’ll work as part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team supporting women living within refuge and safe accommodation services who are experiencing multiple compound needs—including domestic abuse, mental health challenges, homelessness, offending behaviour and substance dependency.

This is deeply relational, trauma-informed work where flexibility, compassion and professional curiosity matter just as much as experience.

You won’t simply deliver interventions.
You’ll help women rediscover safety, stability, confidence and control over their lives.

The details

• Location: East Sussex (working across multiple refuge and safe accommodation locations)
• Full Time Hours: 37.5 hours per week
• Contract: 12 months Fixed Term Contract

Applicants must hold a full UK driving licence and business insurance, as this role requires travel across various locations.

Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

What makes this role different

• You’ll work within a multi-disciplinary trauma-informed team, alongside specialists from mental health, health, social care, domestic abuse and lived experience services
• You’ll support women who are often excluded from or unable to access mainstream systems
• You’ll have the opportunity to shape a service that is actively working to remove barriers and create systems change
• You’ll work in environments where your ability to build trust and respond flexibly will directly influence outcomes

This is meaningful work that stays with you.

What you’ll be doing

• Support women from entry into refuge and safe accommodation through their treatment and recovery journey
• Deliver specialist substance misuse support, including assessment, recovery planning and onward referral
• Provide one-to-one support and group interventions within refuge settings
• Work collaboratively with mental health, social care, housing, domestic abuse and health partners
• Support access to prescribing and specialist treatment services
• Act as lead professional for individuals where appropriate, coordinating multi-agency support
• Advocate for women navigating complex systems and services
• Help individuals build resilience, recovery capital and long-term independence
• May include the need to work some evenings and weekends to meet the needs of individuals living in the refuge/ safe accommodation.

No two days will look the same—and that’s exactly why this role matters.

Who we’re looking for

We’re looking for someone who combines professional skill with empathy, resilience and emotional intelligence.

You will bring:

• Experience working within substance misuse services
• Knowledge and experience supporting victims and survivors of domestic abuse
• Understanding of multiple compound needs, trauma and co-occurring mental health challenges
• Confidence working in partnership across multiple agencies and systems
• The ability to remain calm, adaptable and compassionate in complex situations
• A genuinely trauma-informed and non-judgemental approach

Most importantly, you’ll believe that even in the most difficult circumstances, change is possible.

What we offer

We invest in our people so they can deliver their best work:

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising to 30 days with service
• A paid weekly Wellness Hour, wellbeing hub and Employee Assistance Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• A wide range of employee benefits and discounts
• Ongoing training, development and progression opportunities
• A supportive, values-led environment where reflective practice and wellbeing matter

Our approach

We are building services that are:

• Trauma-informed and person-centred
• Rooted in compassion and partnership
• Focused on breaking down barriers for people facing multiple disadvantage
• Designed to create meaningful, long-term recovery and safety

Be part of someone finding safety again

If you’re ready to be part of a team delivering truly life-changing support to women facing multiple disadvantage, we’d love to hear from you.

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.  

Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions. 

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.