Dependency and Recovery Worker in Grays

Location: Thurrock

Salary: £36,482 per annum, plus benefits

Vacancy Type: Fixed Term, Part Time

We are currently recruiting for a Dependency and Recovery Worker based in Thurrock. This role is offered as a fixed term contract until 31/03/26.

About the role

Evidence suggests that almost a third of those on community orders reported having mental health issues and/or substance misuse concerns and 35% reported having an alcohol problem which can often fuel criminal behaviour. It is recognised that vulnerable offenders in the community who receive appropriate specialist support and are successfully diverted into treatment programmes can successfully go on to lead crime-free lives. Ultimately helping to drive down reoffending rates and strengthening supervision to ensure compliance.

Contributing to the existing team is the Thurrock Treatment and Recovery Service; this post holder will have a special focus on clients under probation. The service will deliver client-centred treatment using both harm reduction and abstinence-based treatment approaches depending on the requirements of the individual client. You will be required to advise magistrates and court probation teams on suitability for substance misuse requirements; namely, Alcohol Treatment Requirements (ATRs), Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRRs) and Drug Testing on Arrest (DToA). In addition, you will support the provision of training and mentoring increasing levels of confidence and enhancing knowledge and skills within the probation workforce.

Key responsibilities

• Dependency and Recovery Practitioners will be integrated members of local Probation delivery. They will have the following responsibilities:
• Providing a service to People on Probation in Police Investigation Centres.
• Increasing Community Sentence Treatment Requirements (CSTR) for Drug Rehabilitation Requirement (DRR), Alcohol Treatment Requirement (ATR), Mental Health Treatment Requirement (MHTR) and Alcohol Abstinence Monitoring Requirement (AAMR) including attending Magistrates courts to provide suitability assessments where needed and be available for attending Crown courts where necessary.
• To hold a case load of circa 15-20 clients but this could increase depending on the exact responsibilities in the different locations.
• To provide coverage and co-located services across the main probation office (including courts and in-reach services to local custodial establishments) and any satellite clinics/offices (days/times allocated to be agreed according to demand).
• The post will be subject to regular review and responsibilities may change as a result. Flexibility will be required in this role, which may include some evening/weekend work with reasonable notice to deliver services, enabling continuity of care for the client group.

The ideal candidate will have

• A Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care and any qualification in substance misuse.
• Experience of working within the substance misuse services, and with Criminal Justice clients.
• Experience of carrying out comprehensive assessments, risk management plans and the design and implementation of SMART care plans.
• Experience of working with Criminal Justice agencies such as the police, probation, CRC and prisons.
• Experience of delivering structured interventions to service users.
• Experience of facilitating groups.
• Using motivational interviewing techniques in both 1:1 and group settings.
• Strong IT skills.

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 of the employees who work for us is also important.

Joining us as 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 rata'd 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 of service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

To Apply

If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for the Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.