Diversion and Inclusion lead worker

Job overview

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.

Detailed job description and main 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.