Substance Misuse Social Worker

About Us

Substance Misuse Social Worker

Salary: £38,976 - £52,767 Competitive + £3,000 retention bonus (every 2 years' service)

Permanent/Full Time

Wandsworth/Richmond & Hybrid

Location: Wandsworth and Richmond, with hybrid working arrangements. The successful candidate will be required to attend the office approximately 40% of the working week.

Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of adults facing substance misuse challenges? Do you have the expertise and compassion to provide vital support to residents in Richmond and Wandsworth? If so, we invite you to join our dedicated Substance Misuse Team.

Richmond and Wandsworth substance misuse team aims to support adults with drug and alcohol needs which are impacting on the person's ability to meet their social care needs. We provide holistic support grounded in social work practice through working with partner agencies including the NHS to support prevention, treatment and rehabilitation. The team is based in the wider mental health service within Adult Services.

We are looking for experienced social workers with a passion to work within substance misuse, with the ability to think creatively while ensuring our statutory responsibilities are met. To apply for this role, although desirable, you do not require previous experience within substance misuse.

The substance misuse team supports the boroughs of Richmond and Wandsworth. The role is hybrid based in Wandsworth and Richmond councils and working from home.

About the Role

As a Substance Misuse Mental Health Social Worker, you will:

• Work with adults whose primary social care needs are impacted by substance use. Provide a duty function/front door service, offering advice, signposting, screening, and risk assessments.
• Conduct Care Act assessments, developing strength-based support plans tailored to individual needs. Undertake initial care reviews and complex case management.
• Fulfill statutory safeguarding duties, including screening concerns and conducting Section 42 enquiries.
• Work collaboratively with health professionals, housing services, the voluntary sector, and key partners.
• Carry out carers assessments, ensuring close support for carers. Empower service users to have choice and control over their care while ensuring safety and proportional support.
• Undertake mental capacity assessments and facilitate best interest meetings and decisions.
• Handle complex case work such as Court of Protection work
• Complete assessments for and facilitate residential rehabilitation placements.

Why Join Us?

We are committed to supporting and developing our team members. Here's what we offer:
£3,000 retention bonus for qualified staff (awarded every two years).
Regular reflective supervision and peer group support.
Bespoke Personal Development Plans tailored to your career goals.
Fully funded training opportunities, including pathways in Practice Educator, Leadership and Management, Best Interest Assessor, Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP), Coaching and Mentoring and Adults Safeguarding at Risk

Apply Now If you're ready to make a meaningful impact in substance misuse social work and be part of a supportive, progressive team, we would love to hear from you.

Closing Date: 14th December 2025

Applications and interviews will be held weekly

For an informal conversation please contact the recruitment team via

Please note: candidates who have applied for this position within the last six months and were unsuccessful need not reapply.

We may close this vacancy early once a sufficient number of applications has been received. Please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

Richmond & Wandsworth Better Service Partnership are committed to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone. We are committed to promoting equality and diversity and developing a culture that values differences, recognising that employees from a variety of backgrounds bring important and positive contributions to the Councils and can improve the way we deliver services.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. If you require any reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment and selection process, please let us know.

We are also committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people/vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Some posts may be exempted under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and as such appointment to these posts will be conditional upon the receipt of a satisfactory response to a check of police records via Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). We offer a wide range of benefits designed to attract, develop, and reward our employees such as 40 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays), flexible working and a generous pension plan.

Richmond and Wandsworth Councils

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