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.