About this role
Job summary
ABL Health and Sunderland Council are partnered to deliver the Stop Smoking Service across Sunderland. It seeks to work collaboratively with communities to support the transformation of services for the local population. The service will provide integrated behaviour support for smoking cessation embedded in sustainable behaviour change and positive wellbeing. We offer up to 12 weeks support through an individual quit programme through weekly tailored advice and support from a Specialist Practitioner.
Main duties of the job
The successful candidate will deliver high-quality, evidence-based stop smoking support to individuals across Sunderland, empowering them to overcome tobacco dependence and achieve sustained quit outcomes. The role involves providing tailored one-to-one, group, telephone and digital smoking cessation interventions, using behaviour change techniques and harm reduction approaches to help clients make informed choices and achieve realistic goals. The postholder will manage a caseload, maintain accurate client records and performance data, and ensure compliance with local and national reporting requirements. They will work collaboratively with health, social care and community partners to embed stop smoking support within routine care pathways, promote referrals, and engage priority populations to reduce health inequalities. In addition, the role includes delivering tobacco control education, supporting peer and relapse prevention initiatives, contributing to service development and continuous improvement, participating in outreach and community engagement activities, and maintaining up-to-date knowledge of evidence-based practice, national policy and emerging research.
About us
ABL Health Ltd is a dynamic, fast-growing community health organisation with an ambitious vision to create healthier lives and stronger communities. As an experienced, CQC-registered provider of community health and wellbeing services, we are proud to deliver evidence-based, innovative and person-centred care that makes a real and lasting difference.
Job description Job responsibilities
The role of the Stop Smoking Practitioner within Sunderland Stop Smoking Service is to deliver high-quality, evidence-based stop smoking support to residents across Sunderland, with a specific focus on reducing health inequalities and improving population health outcomes.
The postholder will provide targeted and equitable stop smoking interventions to priority populations, including people living in areas of deprivation, individuals with mental health needs, young people, and those with long-term conditions or recently discharged from hospital. The postholder will deliver face-to-face clinics across Sunderland, including one late night clinic each week for clients unable to attend during standard 9-5pm hours.
The practitioner will work flexibly across community, health, and outreach settings, contributing to the wider Sunderland Stop Smoking Service agenda by supporting behaviour change, prevention, and early intervention, access to a vehicle is encouraged. The role requires the ability to work independently while also contributing effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
Key Responsibilities
Motivate, support, and empower individuals to address tobacco dependence and achieve sustained quit outcomes.
Deliver evidence-based smoking cessation interventions tailored to individual need, including one-to-one, group, drop-in, telephone, and digital support
Ensure clients understand the principles and options available within the stop smoking service so they can make informed choices about their quit journey.
Work collaboratively with health, social care, and community partners to embed stop smoking support within routine care pathways for priority groups.
Target service delivery to reduce health inequalities and maximise health gains across Sunderlands diverse communities.
Lead or contribute to peer support and relapse-prevention initiatives for successful quitters.
Provide high-quality, efficient, and cost-effective stop smoking services across a range of community and healthcare settings.
Deliver evidence-based education on tobacco dependence, cessation methods, behaviour change, and harm-reduction approaches.
Support individuals to set realistic, achievable, and sustainable goals, including harm minimisation where appropriate.
Manage a caseload effectively, ensuring all client records, data capture, and outcomes are accurately recorded in line with Sunderland Stop Smoking Service, local authority, and national requirements.
Engage and recruit clients through outreach activity, promotional events, and community engagement opportunities.
Use health needs and inequalities data to inform service delivery and identify opportunities for service improvement.
Contribute ideas and insights to develop and enhance stop smoking pathways within Sunderland Stop Smoking Service.
Maintain up-to-date knowledge of tobacco control policy, evidence-based cessation methods, and emerging research, integrating this into practice.
Attend service meetings, stakeholder forums, supervision, and training as required.
Work collaboratively with colleagues to support effective communication, service performance, and continuous improvement.
Skills and Competencies Required
A strong understanding of tobacco dependence, addiction, and behaviour change principles.
A positive, proactive, and compassionate approach with the ability to motivate and support individuals through change.
Excellent communication skills, with the ability to adapt messages to suit diverse audiences, including clients, clinicians, and partners.
Ability to build trusting and effective relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
Quality-driven approach with a commitment to high standards, continuous learning, and service improvement.
An inclusive mindset, valuing diversity and remaining open to new ideas, innovation, and evidence-based practice.
Person Specification
Job Specific Requirements Essential
The ability to travel independently across the organisational footprint Work flexibly and adapt to suit service need including evening and weekend work as required Must be willing to undertake an Enhanced DBS check Access to a vehicle and a valid UK driving license.
Qualifications Essential
Relevant qualification health / public health / health professional qualification / other higher education or significant experience in smoking cessation / addiction / behaviour change / community engagement or customer service
Desirable
NCSCT Practitioner
Experience Essential
significant experience in smoking cessation / addiction / behaviour change / community engagement or customer service
Desirable
Experience of working within the community / health & Social Care setting.
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.
Employer details Employer name ABL Health Ltd
Address F11 The Software Centre, 1 Tavistock Place
Sunderland
SR1 1PB
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.ablhealth.co.uk/work-for-us/join-our-team/ (Opens in a new tab)