Diversion and Inclusion lead worker

Job summary

The Diversion and Inclusion Lead Worker is a Band 5 role within North London NHS Foundation Trust Substance Misuse Service, responsible for leading and coordinating inclusive, trauma-informed approaches to drug and alcohol service delivery. Based across Enfield sites, the postholder works collaboratively with internal teams and external partners to develop diversion pathways, improve access to treatment, and reduce health inequalities for individuals experiencing substance misuse and complex needs. The role combines operational leadership, partnership working, and direct service user engagement to support improved outcomes and prevent escalation into acute or criminal justice systems.

Main duties of the job

Lead the development and delivery of diversion pathways to reduce unnecessary contact with criminal justice, emergency, and inpatient services.

Provide specialist leadership on inclusive, trauma-informed practice to ensure services meet the needs of marginalised and high-risk groups.

Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and external partners to improve engagement, retention, and treatment outcomes.

Deliver and coordinate harm reduction initiatives, including Naloxone provision, safer use advice, and overdose prevention.

Provide advice, guidance, and case consultation to staff on diversion, inclusion, and risk management approaches.

Develop strong partnerships with criminal justice agencies, healthcare providers, local authorities, and community organisations.

Support service development through co-production, audits, data collection, and quality improvement activities.

Deliver training and support staff development on inclusive practice, inequalities, and trauma-informed care.

Manage a caseload of service users with complex needs, including assessment, care planning, safeguarding, and treatment coordination.

Maintain accurate clinical records and ensure compliance with Trust policies, governance requirements, and data protection standards.

About us

Our values

The Trust's values are:

• Compassion
• Respect
• Being Positive
• Working together

NHS VALUES

It is recommended that where possible the NHS values below are reflected in job descriptions. Please go to the NHS Confederation website for further information www.nhsconfed.org

RESPECT AND DIGNITY

We value each person as an individual, respect their aspirations and commitments in life, and seek to understand their priorities, needs, abilities and limits. We take what others have to say seriously. We are honest about our point of view and what we can and cannot do.

COMMITMENT TO QUALITY OF CARE

We earn the trust that is placed in us by insisting on quality and striving to get the basics right every time - safety, confidentiality, professional and managerial integrity, accountability, dependable service and good communication. We welcome feedback, learn from our mistakes and build on our success.

COMPASSION

We find the time to listen and talk when it is needed, make the effort to understand and get on and do the small things that mean so much - not because we are asked to but because we care.

Improving lives

We strive to improve health and well-being and people's experiences of the NHS. We value excellence and professionalism wherever we find it - in the everyday things that make people's lives better as much as in clinical practice, service improvements and innovation.

Job responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

Service Delivery and Caseload Management

• Manage a caseload of service users with complex needs, completing assessments, risk management, and personalised care plans.
• Deliver one-to-one interventions, harm reduction advice, and recovery-focused support, including substitute prescribing processes and outreach.
• Support service users to access a wide range of health, housing, social care, and community services.

Diversion and Inclusion

• Lead the development of diversion pathways to reduce unnecessary involvement in criminal justice, emergency, or inpatient services.
• Ensure services are inclusive, culturally responsive, and accessible to marginalised groups.
• Deliver targeted outreach to engage underrepresented populations and those not currently accessing services.

Harm Reduction

• Coordinate harm reduction initiatives including Naloxone distribution, needle exchange, and overdose prevention.
• Provide specialist advice to staff on reducing risks such as overdose and blood-borne viruses.

Partnership and Multi-Agency Working

• Build and maintain strong relationships with criminal justice agencies, healthcare providers, housing, and voluntary sector organisations.
• Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings (e.g. safeguarding, IOM, housing, and criminal justice panels).
• Support co-production with service users and community stakeholders to influence service design.

Leadership, Training and Service Development

• Provide leadership, training, and guidance to staff on inclusion, diversion, and trauma-informed practice.
• Contribute to audits, data collection, service evaluations, and continuous quality improvement.
• Support service development plans, innovation, and delivery of key performance indicators.

This is not an exhaustive list, please see the attached Job Description and Person Specification for more information on the role requirements and duties.

Person specification

EDUCATION AND QUALIFICATIONS

Essential

• NVQ Health and social care
• Basic education
• other relevant qualification

Desirable

• Drug and alcohol related qualification

EXPERIENCE AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• Experience required to do the job
• Demonstrate relevant knowledge gained in previous employment or elsewhere

SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Essential

• Specific skills that will enable candidate to fulfill job role, including IT skills

Desirable

• previous knowledge experience working with Thesus/RIO

PERSONAL QUALITIES

Essential

• Should include team working, interpersonal skills and written and verbal skills, importance of a positive "can do" attitude and a positive attitude to change