Consultant Psychiatrist – Substance Misuse

Job Description

We are seeking an experienced and inspirational with a minimum of 7 years’ experience in addiction treatment. The ideal candidate will be a Consultant Psychiatrist in Addictions, GP with a Special Interest in Substance Misuse, or Specialist Addiction Doctor Flexibility will be given to exceptional candidates with demonstrable experience and a passion for this field.

They will oversee the medical and psychiatric care within our Southend-on-Sea Community Addiction Service.

You will play a key role in shaping and delivering safe, effective, and recovery-focused clinical services, supporting service users at various stages of their treatment journey. This is an exciting opportunity to join a multidisciplinary team committed to innovation, collaboration, and person-centred care.

Key Responsibilities
Clinical Leadership
Provide strategic clinical leadership and assume overall responsibility for medical care across the service.
Lead regular multi-disciplinary case review meetings, ensuring high-quality and consistent clinical decision-making.
Attend daily morning briefings to address incidents, safeguarding, and clinical risks.
Support and guide staff in the assessment, diagnosis, formulation, and treatment planning of service users.
Governance & Service Development
Contribute to local and national clinical governance structures including audits, peer reviews, and Clinical Governance meetings.
Support the development and continuous improvement of services in collaboration with the national Clinical Director and operational management.
Develop and maintain clinical policies and practices in line with NICE and UK guidelines.
Supervision, Training & Mentorship
Provide clinical supervision and mentoring to doctors, nurses, recovery workers and other clinical staff.
Lead in-house clinical training sessions to support skill development across the team.
Support the supervision and development of junior doctors, including trainees if applicable.
Partnership & Stakeholder Engagement
Act as a key clinical liaison with local GPs, mental health teams, social care, commissioners, and other external partners.
Represent Forward Trust in strategic local meetings and help develop integrated care pathways across Essex.
Essential Criteria
Full GMC Registration with a License to Practise
Registered on the GP or Specialist Register
MRC Psych or equivalent international qualification
Completion of RCGP Certificates in Drug Misuse (Parts 1 and 2)
Minimum 7 years’ experience working in substance misuse/addiction treatment
Strong understanding of clinical governance, risk management, and safeguarding procedures
Experience in working within multidisciplinary teams and supporting team development
Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills

Desirable

Approved under Section 12(2) of the Mental Health Act
Experience working in criminal justice settings or with dual-diagnosis clients
Additional qualifications in CBT, motivational interviewing, or trauma-informed care
Experience delivering remote/digital health interventions
What We Offer
A meaningful and impactful leadership role within a values-driven organisation
Regular structured clinical supervision and peer support
Access to CPD opportunities and support for revalidation
Flexible working arrangements considered
Competitive salary and generous benefits package
Opportunity to contribute to national clinical strategy and innovation
Our Values

At Forward Trust, everything we do is underpinned by our core values:

Empowering – Supporting people to believe in themselves and achieve their goals
Collaborative – Working together to achieve the best outcomes
Expert – Using evidence-based approaches to deliver consistently high standards
Courageous – Speaking up, challenging stigma, and embracing positive change
Innovative – Adapting and improving to meet the needs of those we serve

Apply Today

If you’re passionate about delivering compassionate, evidence-based care and want to lead a dedicated team helping people move beyond addiction and offending, we’d love to hear from you.