Service Manager - Drug Strategy Lead - HMP Millsike

This is a brand-new role for Forward Trust and a genuine opportunity to do something different.

As Drug Strategy Manager at HMP Millsike, you will lead the development and delivery of a truly recovery-orientated, whole-prison approach to supply reduction, demand reduction, and harm reduction, driving long-term, transformational change and meaningful recovery outcomes for prisoners.

This role combines strategic ownership with hands-on leadership, including responsibility for the establishment Drug Strategy, the Incentivised Substance Free Living (ISFL) Unit, and a team of Recovery Navigators.

Who This Role Is For

This role is for an experienced confident manager who can:

• Influence, challenge, and lead across multiple stakeholders and disciplines
• Bring energy, credibility, and passion for recovery into everything they do
• Thrive in complex environments and enjoy shaping something new
• Demonstrate commitment to recovery that underpins your leadership style and drives excellence in practice.

What Makes This Role Different

You’ll be encouraged to bring professional curiosity to the role, continually exploring:

• Emerging research, interventions, and technologies
• Innovative approaches to reducing supply, demand, and harm
• Evidence from the field and translating it into realistic, deliverable practice at HMP Millsike.

About You

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has experience in managing recovery services and/or security within a custodial setting
• Brings strong people management experience
• Is confident navigating policy, governance, and compliance
• Enjoys a challenge and strives for recovery excellence
• Can build assured processes while keeping people and purpose at the centre

We’re keen to meet people with relevant experience, strong values, and genuine passion, including those who bring diverse professional backgrounds.

If you’re unsure whether you fully match the person specification, we’d still welcome a conversation to explore the role and answer your questions.

Role Details

• Full-time, permanent (35 Hours)
• Based at HMP Millsike
• Primarily Monday–Friday, with one weekend in four
• Flexibility required, including evenings, as the prison operates 7 days per week

HMP Millsike is in a rural location; therefore, access to a car is preferred.

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.