Recovery Worker - Bridges

Overview

Are you looking for a meaningful career that helps others break the cycle of addiction and live a positive life? The impact you will have in this role is far more reaching than the day to day contact with service users, the service we provide reverberates through families and society

Who we are?

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise that empowers people to break the cycle 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 believe and are committed to providing opportunities to all people including those with ‘Lived Experience’ we encourage applications from all background including those in recovery from addiction, co-dependency or gambling, have experience of previous offending or homelessness.

What you will be doing?

The strategic mission is to work with all stakeholders to help residents achieve long-term recovery from drug & alcohol dependency, and full reintegration into the community; thereby building their social and recovery capital to assist them in their recovery ambitions. The service comprises of the following key components:

• An intensive, primary structured 13 week 12 Step residential programme, designed to help dependent substance users achieve abstinence and recovery that for most referrals will support clients through Steps 1-5; with the potential to offer bespoke residential care solutions to funders looking for 2nd stage treatment options.
• Integrated within the programme are a full range of psycho-social therapeutic activities designed to support clients with their recovery needs
• The development of local and national social support structures founded upon peer support, links to self-help networks, volunteering, ETE opportunities and addressing the health and wellbeing needs of service users as they make progress through the programme.

What we are looking for?

• Day to day you will be responsible for managing a caseload, providing risk assessments, and recovery plans. You will deliver structured group-work sessions and individual 1-1 sessions.

• Create effective and comprehensive plans for residents that are tailored to their individual needs and help them to achieve their treatment goals.

• Be able to deliver the full range of psycho-social interventions relevant to individual client needs

• Develop and contribute to the reintegration needs of service users, supporting them in the development of their plans which are appropriate to their needs.

• Carry out admission procedures in line with agreed protocols

• Deliver Community meeting and other core Life and Social Skills groups in the programme as required, working closely with other team members and line management

• Accompany clients on external visits as required

• Deliver safe and appropriate recreational activities to clients

• Maintain efficient record keeping and data collection at all times

• Communicate client information within established written and verbal communication systems

• Support the safe storage and distribution of medication to clients

• Carry out drug and alcohol testing as required as part of the therapeutic regime

What we offer

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

• Experience of working within the substance misuse services in a range of settings

• Experience of developing holistic recovery plans that address the range of needs of clients in a residential setting.

• Experience of delivering structured interventions to service users.

• Experience of facilitating therapeutic groups.

• Using motivational interviewing techniques in both 1:1 and group settings.

• Strong IT skills.

• A thorough knowledge of and commitment to the 12-step process of recovery from addiction.

• Previous experience of working in a 12 step primary care programme.

• In addition to knowledge around 12 Step recovery an ability to evidence practiced skill is supporting clients with their practical and emotional needs as they move forward in their recovery

• A proactive, creative and solution-focussed  approach to team-work that embraces change management both for clients but also supports the management structure with this ‘can-do’ attitude

• Work with the management to assist in the smooth running of the domestic arrangements at The Bridges.

• Good planning and time management skills

• Good communication skills – verbal and written

• Ability to manage own workload

• Ability to establish and maintain clear boundaries with clients

• Ability to create supportive relationships with clients

• Ability to deliver social care to individuals and groups

• Clear understanding and commitment to Equality and Diversity

• Engage in personal learning and development

Qualifications

• Good standard of general education

• NVQ 3 Health & Social Care/Counselling/other care qualifications

• Possession of a recognised counselling qualification, or about to start or ongoing attendance on a recognised counselling course

Desirable

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Experience of providing counselling services

• Personal experience of addiction/imprisonment (Addicts in recovery should have at least 3 years clean time. Ex-prisoners should have been released at least 5 years ago).

• Previous experience of working within a residential setting..

• Previous experience of working in a 12 step primary care programme.

• Utilising group supervision.

Alongside Simply Health coverage, and a contributory pension scheme to assist employees with their general health and well-being. We offer:

• Training opportunities and career development
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• 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 (subject to qualifying criteria)

Person specification

Recovery Worker