Dual Diagnosis Locality Lead

Job summary

Are you passionate about making a real difference in the lives of individuals facing both mental health and substance misuse challenges? Somerset NHS Foundation Trust is seeking a dynamic and compassionate Dual Diagnosis Locality Lead to join our Community Mental Health Services in Yeovil and Bridgwater.

This is a specialist leadership role where you'll manage a clinical caseload while shaping best practice across community and urgent care settings. You'll be at the forefront of integrated care, working collaboratively ith multidisciplinary teams and external agencies to deliver evidence-based, recovery-focused interventions.

We offer a supportive and forward-thinking environment, with strong clinical supervision and professional development pathways. If you're ready to lead change and champion excellence in dual diagnosis care, we'd love to hear from you.

Main duties, tasks & skills required

As a Dual Diagnosis Locality Lead, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality, integrated care for individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse conditions. You'll work within the Trust's Dual Diagnosis Policy and Strategy, ensuring early identification and effective intervention for service users.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Providing structured supervision and clinical leadership to staff across community mental health teams.
• Facilitating multidisciplinary collaboration and continuity of care between inpatient and community settings.
• Leading on formulation and treatment planning, using psychological and psychosocial models.
• Supporting service development through clinical governance, audit, and research activities.
• Encouraging staff development and contributing to CPD pathways, particularly around substance misuse.
• Maintaining accurate clinical records and ensuring compliance with GDPR and Trust policies.
• Participating in safeguarding, health and safety, and infection control protocols.

This role offers autonomy within a clear leadership structure, allowing you to innovate and influence care delivery across Somerset. You'll be actively encouraged and expected to complete the non-medical prescribing course if not already achieved status due to the benefits this qualification brings to the role however it is not an essential element to the clinical leadership role.

About us

At Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, we're committed to supporting our employees with a range of benefits designed to enhance your professional and personal life. We offer:

• Flexible working options to help you balance work and life
• NHS pension scheme for long-term financial security
• Generous annual leave allowance to recharge and relax
• A strong focus on career development to help you grow and achieve your potential

Additionally, you'll gain access to our Blue Light Card, unlocking exclusive discounts on shopping, dining, and leisure activities, as well as NHS-specific perks to support you both inside and outside of work.

We are proud to foster a diverse, skilled, and inclusive workforce, and we encourage applications from all backgrounds.

Why Somerset? Somerset offers the perfect blend of idyllic countryside, outstanding areas of natural beauty, and breathtaking coastlines, with vibrant cities like Bristol, Bath, and Exeter just a short drive away - and only two hours to London.

The region is home to excellent educational facilities, and with affordable housing compared to other parts of the country, it's a great place to build both your career and your future.

Somerset truly has it all - the peaceful countryside and cosmopolitan city life, with something for everyone to enjoy.

Job description

• Lead the assessment, planning, and delivery of care for individuals with dual diagnosis within your locality.
• Provide expert consultation, supervision, and guidance to mental health professionals across community and inpatient teams.
• Act as Care Coordinator for a caseload of service users, ensuring continuity of care and robust treatment planning.
• Promote joint working and positive partnerships with local drug and alcohol services, recovery networks, and voluntary sector providers.
• Drive clinical excellence through audit, research, and service development initiatives.
• Deliver and support training in dual diagnosis approaches, including psychosocial interventions and motivational interviewing.
• Champion best practice in risk management, safeguarding, and evidence-based treatment frameworks.

Person specification

Qualifications

Essential

RMN OR Diploma/Degree in Occupational Therapy OR Social Work; OR other relevant health or social care professional qualification, OR qualification in a relevant psychological therapy

Commitment to Continuing Professional Development in the field of dual diagnosis

Experience

Essential

Significant experience in working with people with complex clinical and risk presentations, including those diagnosable with dual diagnosis

Experience of offering clinical supervision to other professionals

Desirable

Working with clients in the community and inpatient settings

Working within drug and alcohol services or clear partnership with

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

UK Professional Registration

Applicants must have current UK professional registration. For further information please see NHS Careers website.

For help with your application, contact:

Helen Steer

helen.steer@somersetft.nhs.uk

01935428420