Overview
Band 6 Substance Misuse Nurse – HMP Downview – Sutton
Permanent
£37,338
We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated Band 6 Substance Misuse Nurse to join our team at HMP Highdown and HMP Downview on a full-time, 35-hour per week basis. This is a rewarding opportunity to deliver high-quality clinical care and recovery-focused interventions to people with drug and alcohol dependencies within a prison setting.
You’ll use your clinical expertise to support individuals on their recovery journey while working closely with prison staff, healthcare professionals and partner agencies to improve health outcomes and make a lasting impact.
What you’ll be doing:
- Deliver high-quality assessments, treatment and care planning for service users with substance misuse needs.
- Manage your own clinical caseload with autonomy and professionalism.
- Administer and manage prescribed medications safely and effectively.
- Work collaboratively with prison staff, healthcare professionals and partner agencies to ensure seamless care.
- Carry out risk assessments and respond confidently to complex and challenging situations.
- Promote recovery, wellbeing and positive health outcomes through evidence-based interventions.
- Provide clinical supervision and support to junior colleagues, deputising for the Lead Nurse when required.
What we’re looking for:
- Registered Nurse with current NMC registration.
- Experience working with substance misuse, mental health or complex clinical needs.
- Confident working independently while thriving as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong clinical judgement, excellent communication skills and a compassionate approach.
- A commitment to delivering safe, person-centred care in line with the NMC Code and best practice.
If you’re passionate about making a lasting impact and want to develop your career in a unique and rewarding environment, we’d love to hear from you.
Please see attached Job Description for full details
All prison-based roles are subject to enhanced DBS checks and HMPPS security vetting. These checks can take up to 5 months to complete. Any offer of employment will be conditional upon the successful completion of both checks.
Please note if you have lived overseas within the last 5 years then checks may take longer.
About Us
- Flexible working
- Training and development opportunities
- BHSF Cashback Scheme (optional)
- Season Ticket Loan Scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Crisis Loan Scheme
- Electric Car Scheme
- 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata’d for part time employees)
- Access to Blue Light Card
- 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
- Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.
To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here.
Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.













