Recovery Worker
Location: Dover
Salary: A GBP 24,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date: 24 th September 2025
As a Substance Misuse Practitioner, you will work within an integrated healthcare framework to support adults (18+) who are affected by drug and alcohol misuse. You will be responsible for managing a caseload, providing client:centred treatment plans, and supporting recovery through both harm reduction and abstinence:based approaches, depending on the needs of the individual.
Your role will include:
* Conducting comprehensive assessments, risk management plans, and developing SMART care plans.
* Delivering structured 1:1 sessions and facilitated group programmes.
* Using motivational interviewing techniques to support behaviour change.
* Providing advice, information, and harm reduction guidance.
* Working closely with external agencies such as housing, employment, probation, healthcare, and community services to deliver joined:up care.
* Contributing to local and organisational performance targets, including measurable recovery outcomes.
* Supporting service users to build recovery capital and achieve sustainable change.
This role may require flexibility, including occasional evening and weekend work. You may also be required to travel between projects in your cluster to maintain continuity of care for clients.
What Were Looking For
Essential Skills and Experience
* Experience working within substance misuse services.
* Skilled in comprehensive assessments, risk management, and care planning.
* Ability to deliver structured interventions in both 1:1 and group settings.
* Strong facilitation skills and experience running groups.
* Proficient in motivational interviewing techniques.
* Good IT literacy.
* Understanding of holistic care, continuity of care, and multi:agency working.
* Commitment to promoting equality and diversity.
Essential Knowledge
* Knowledge of issues facing people who misuse substances.
* Understanding of the Recovery Agenda.
* Knowledge of safeguarding policies and procedures.
Qualifications
* Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equivalent).
Desirable Skills and Experience
* Knowledge of the 12 Step recovery process.
* Familiarity with community support services and the criminal justice sector.
* Personal lived experience of addiction/imprisonment (applicants in recovery should have at least 3 years abstinent; ex:prisoners at least 5 years since release).
* Experience working in community or prison settings.
* Experience of using clinical supervision.
* Knowledge of NHS health and wellbeing outcomes.
About Us
We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often:interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.
We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:
* Flexible working
* Training and development opportunities
* Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
* Season Ticket Loan Scheme
* Cycle to work scheme
* Crisis Loan Scheme
* Electric Car Scheme
* 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro ratad for part time employees)
* Access to Blue Light Card
* 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
* Contributory Pension Scheme : Employer matched contributions of up to 6 in the first two years service and up to 9 thereafter
* Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
* Critical Illness Insurance (subj