Substance Misuse Worker
London Borough of Hillingdon
About the role
At Hillingdon, we’re proud of our commitment to Putting our residents first, ensuring they remain at the heart of everything we do. We aim to attract talented individuals who share our aspirations for the borough and who can support us in delivering exceptional services for residents, businesses and partners.
With an ambitious strategy for continuous improvement, we are focused on creating safer communities, supporting a thriving local economy, building a greener and more sustainable environment, and strengthening our digital capabilities. Working in London’s second‑largest borough brings variety and challenge—government reforms, financial pressures and political priorities mean no two days are the same.
What does a Substance Misuse Worker do at Hillingdon?
We are offering a part‑time role (18 hours per week) within the Hillingdon Youth Offer, operating throughout the borough during daytime, afternoons, evenings, weekends and occasional residential work (salary pro‑rated).
The Youth Offer provides high‑quality, consistent youth work through targeted, locality‑based, detached, outreach and accredited programmes. Our work responds to need, promotes aspiration, and provides safe spaces where children and young people can develop personally and socially, make informed choices, and value diversity.
This post sits within the Substance Use and Misuse Programmes (SORTED Team). The service provides education, prevention and therapeutic intervention for children and young people where concerns exist around substance misuse or addiction.
As a Substance Misuse Worker, you will be part of a small team of specialist practitioners delivering targeted, meaningful support. You will:
- Deliver 1–1 interventions with children and young people affected by or at risk of substance misuse.
- Deliver group‑based education, workshops, assemblies and community events for young people, parents and professionals.
- Support prevention programmes that raise awareness around substances, risks and harm‑reduction.
- Build positive, trusting relationships with young people facing multiple challenges.
- Work collaboratively with schools, health services, police, voluntary sector organisations and wider youth services.
This role is 18 hours per week and will involve occasional evenings and weekends.
About You
The successful candidate will take a positive, holistic and empowering approach to supporting young people. You will have experience working with children and young people in formal or informal education, youth work or community settings, and a strong understanding of the issues young people face today.
You should bring creativity, confidence and the ability to engage vulnerable and hard‑to‑reach groups. No specific qualification is required; full training will be provided during induction. A willingness to learn and a genuine commitment to supporting young people are essential.
The Ideal Candidate Will:
Knowledge & Experience
- Understand drugs and alcohol, their effects, associated risks and harm‑reduction strategies.
- Have experience working with vulnerable or at‑risk young people.
- Have experience delivering 1–1 support or keywork (desirable).
- Have experience delivering workshops or presentations in various settings.
- Understand trauma‑informed practice and the impact of adverse childhood experiences.
- Have knowledge of motivational interviewing, brief interventions or other evidence‑based approaches (desirable).
- Be confident in identifying risk and completing basic risk assessments.
- Understand the link between substance misuse and emotional wellbeing/mental health.
Skills & Attributes
- Confident, motivated and passionate about working with children and young people.
- Non‑judgemental, compassionate and able to build trusting relationships.
- Approachable and able to engage a diverse range of young people.
- Reliable, organised and able to manage competing demands.
- Strong communication and active listening skills.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Able to work across multiple sites within the borough.
- Proactive in partnership working with schools, voluntary sector, police, health and other services.
- Flexible and responsive to the needs of young people, partners and stakeholders.
- Knowledgeable about confidentiality, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
Additional Information
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. The post will be offered subject to an Enhanced DBS check and all standard pre‑employment clearances.
This is a fixed term post for 3 years.Due to anticipated high interest, this role may close early—early applications are encouraged to avoid disappointment.
About us
- We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
- Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
- 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
- Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
- Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
- Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
- Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
- Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
- Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
- Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
- Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:- Enhanced DBS Check
- 5 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.