Full job descriptionGeneral InformationSalary

£57,398 - £63,139

Working Pattern

Full Time

Vacancy Approach

External

Location

Bristol, Devizes, Exeter, Gloucester, Newton Abbot, Portland, Shaftesbury

Region

South West

Closing Date

18-Sep-2026

Business Unit

DDC South West

Post Type

Permanent

Civil Service Grade

SEO

Number of jobs available

1

Reserve List

12 Months

Job ID

21869
Descriptions & requirementsJob description
This is a Group Lead role with the expectation that the successful candidate will be able to carry out prison visits across the South West Prison Group. The approximate frequency of visits is 2 per week.
The job holder will be responsible for providing regional drug and alcohol strategy advice to establishments within their Prison Group. Providing assurance to the Prison Group Director (PGD), Area Executive Director (AED) and delivering work aligned to the strategic direction set out by HQ. The post will provide direct support to establishments to deliver a comprehensive prison drug and alcohol strategy. They will be the integral link for establishments, the PGD and HQ in all matters associated with this essential work. In the interests of promoting drug and alcohol strategy outcomes for all, support from this role should also be made available to privately managed prisons. This is a non-operational role, open to both operational and non operational staff. There is no line management responsibility.
The role is responsible for leading the development and management of the regional drug and alcohol strategy, ensuring alignment with national policies and HMPPS objectives. This includes supporting establishments in reducing drug and alcohol supply and demand, overseeing provider contracts and fostering recovery environments like Incentivised Substance Free Living Units (ISFLs) and Drug Recovery Wings (DRWs). The post holder will collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, ensuring integrated service delivery and effective joint working across the region. Additionally, the role involves monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of drug strategies, conducting assurance visits, and identifying areas for improvement. The post holder will disseminate best practices, support the annual needs analysis process, and provide responsive support during drug-related incidents. They will also ensure compliance with national drug policies and drive improvements in service delivery and

outcomes within the region.
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
*Lead the development, implementation and ongoing management of the regional drug and alcohol strategy, ensuring alignment with national policies, strategic goals and HMPPS objectives, including the development of recovery environments (ISFLs, DRWs) across the assigned establishments.

*Provide detailed management information to the Area Executive Director, Prison Group Director and HQ, offering insight into performance, governance and practices within each establishment.

*Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders (e.g., safer custody, security, healthcare providers and drug and alcohol services) to reduce drug and alcohol supply and demand, supporting the development and implementation of relevant policies and strategies.

*Support establishments in reducing drug and alcohol supply and demand, offering direct support to Governors, conducting assurance visits and providing advice on improving drug strategy outcomes.

*Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of drug and alcohol strategies within establishments, using established tools to assess outcomes against local action plans, identifying areas for improvement and providing ongoing support.

*Oversee and manage provider contracts for services related to drug and alcohol, ensuring services meet outcomes and are aligned with national standards and regional needs.

*Support an annual needs analysis process to ensure that drug-related needs are identified and addressed appropriately within each establishment.

*Drive improvements in service delivery and compliance with national drug and alcohol strategies and policies, fostering a whole-prison approach to rehabilitation and recovery.

*Identify, capture and disseminate good practices and lessons learned across establishments and the wider Prisons Directorate to promote consistency and enhance service delivery.

*Respond to drug and alcohol related incidents (including deaths in custody) and support HMIP outcomes related to drug strategies, ensuring timely action, reporting and improvements.

*Collaborate with Health and Justice Partnership Coordinators (H&JPC), local Criminal Justice Partnerships (LCJP), Lived Experience Recovery Organisations (LEROs) to strengthen external partnerships, continuity of care, and enhance service delivery.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder. The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.

Additional Information
Working Arrangements & Further Information
The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.
For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.
Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on ’modernised’ terms in their current post or onto ’unmodernised’ MoJ terms if they are on ’unmodernised’ terms...