Overview
CGL HMP Forest Bank – Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (DARS)
About the Service
CGL's Prison Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (DARS) provides a range of evidence-based interventions for those experiencing difficulties with drugs and/or alcohol. Our approach enables and empowers individuals to change, grow and live whilst promoting recovery, independence and safer communities.
Within HMP Forest Bank, the service delivers:
* Harm minimisation
* Case management
* Psychosocial interventions
* Alternative therapies and diversionary activities
* Peer support
* Structured 1:1 and group work
* Release planning and continuity of care
The DARS service works in partnership with commissioners, Prison Health partners, Spectrum Community Health and the wider prison establishment to achieve the best possible outcomes for the men in our care.
The post holder will work closely with the DARS team and management team, alongside Spectrum Community Health, ensuring effective, innovative and high-quality service delivery. Strong partnerships with key stakeholders within the prison will be essential to ensure robust pathways and holistic packages of care.
This role requires effective delivery within a large, busy local prison environment and a strong focus on through-the-gate support.
Role: Recovery Co-ordinator
Location: 1 x HMP Forest Bank
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £27, £32,002.35*
*Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.
Responsibilities
The Role
As a Recovery Co-ordinator, you will work as an integral part of a multi-disciplinary team to deliver high-quality provision across the prison setting.
You will:
* Support service users from point of entry into treatment through their recovery journey
* Provide screening, comprehensive assessments and recovery planning
* Coordinate structured psychosocial interventions and harm reduction support
* Carry a caseload and act as main care coordinator
* Facilitate onward referral and advocacy with health, criminal justice and community agencies
* Promote recovery capital, resilience and peer support
* Ensure continuity of care on release or transfer to another establishment
You will work collaboratively with safer custody, offender management, health care partners and prison staff to ensure consistent messaging and integrated care pathways are in place.
The role also includes:
* Identifying individuals who may benefit from family or carer involvement
* Supporting the development of recovery communities within the prison
* Developing innovative service user engagement approaches (recovery hubs, focus groups, feedback forums)
* Conducting risk assessments and risk management planningSupporting substitute prescribing regimes in partnership with clinicians
* Delivering harm reduction education including BBV awareness and overdose prevention
You will need a strong understanding of the prison environment and the ability to work flexibly within operational constraints.
What We're Looking For
We are seeking a confident and motivated professional with:
* An excellent understanding of drug and alcohol issues and experience within a related field
* Experience of working in partnership across multi-agency environments, particularly criminal justice or health settings
* Strong assessment, recovery planning and case management skills
* Excellent written, verbal and IT skills with the ability to maintain accurate records
* The ability to work independently, manage a caseload and prioritise effectively
* A commitment to safeguarding best practice within a custodial environment
You will be someone who is resilient, professional and able to build constructive relationships within a complex prison setting.
Why Join CGL?
At Change Grow Live, we believe in people.
We are committed to creating safer, healthier communities by enabling individuals to make positive changes and lead independent, purposeful lives
We offer:
* Structured induction and mandatory training
* Ongoing learning and development opportunities
* A supportive team culture focused on innovation and improvement
* Opportunities to develop specialist prison and criminal justice expertise
Additional Information
* The role requires flexibility, including potential evening or weekend working
* All staff are expected to promote safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion in line with CGL values
If you are passionate about recovery, thrive in dynamic environments and want to make a meaningful difference within a prison setting, we would welcome your application.
Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.
Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Please Note this role requires prison vetting clearance
Salary Range (pro rata if part time)
CGL points 23 to 28 (£27, £32,002.35)
ILW / OLW /Fringe
N/A - Outside London Weighting Area
Interview Date
2/3/2026
Closing Date
23/2/2026
If you have any questions on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details:
John Alcock | | ext 2289
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.