At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women in recovery from substance misuse and help them build healthier futures.
- Company: Join a dedicated team making a real difference in women's lives.
- Benefits: Generous leave, healthcare plan, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Work in a supportive environment with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Empower women to overcome challenges and transform their lives.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting individuals with complex needs and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 31000 - 31000 £ per year.
Make a difference by supporting women with complex needs to manage substance misuse, engage in recovery and build safer, healthier futures. This role is officially known as a Criminal Justice Substance Misuse Worker.
If you have also worked in the following roles, we would like to hear from you: Substance Misuse Worker, Recovery Worker, Drug and Alcohol Worker, Addiction Support Worker, Criminal Justice Worker, Residential Support Worker, Complex Needs Worker, Women's Support Worker, Key Worker.
Occupational Requirement: Applications can only be accepted from women candidates due to the gender-specific nature of the role. This includes all women whose legal gender is female, including those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010.
SALARY: circa £31,000 per annum
LOCATION: Bristol, South West England
JOB TYPE: Full-Time, Permanent
WORKING HOURS: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday
JOB OVERVIEW: This is a rewarding opportunity to support women through recovery, resettlement and positive behavioural change within a residential criminal justice setting. Working as the Substance Misuse Support Worker, you will manage a caseload and provide tailored one-to-one support, group work, purposeful activities and partnership-led interventions. You will help residents understand and manage addiction, engage with recovery services, reduce risks and build healthier coping strategies. You will also work closely with colleagues, Probation, MAPPA and specialist services to support safe move-on, community reintegration and reduced reoffending.
DUTIES:
- Assessment and Planning: Complete initial substance misuse assessments and develop individualised support and engagement plans.
- Motivational Support: Provide ongoing guidance and interventions that sustain engagement and encourage positive behavioural change.
- Recovery Interventions: Deliver one-to-one and group sessions covering harm minimisation, recovery support, relapse prevention and CBT-informed approaches.
- Service Referrals: Support residents to access peer-led recovery networks, clinical and non-clinical services and wider community support.
- Partnership Working: Build effective links with substance misuse, health, mental health, community, Probation, MAPPA and specialist agencies.
- Risk and Safeguarding: Identify, manage and escalate risks, including safeguarding concerns relating to residents, children and vulnerable adults.
- Purposeful Activities: Design, lead and participate in activities that reduce barriers, support employment access and promote successful resettlement.
- Records and Outcomes: Maintain accurate records, assessments, support plans and case notes while contributing to performance and contractual outcomes.
- Learning and Practice: Share knowledge, good practice and ideas with colleagues, mentors and partner agencies.
CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS:
ESSENTIAL:
- Applications can only be accepted from women candidates due to the gender-specific nature of the role.
- Experience of working with people affected by substance misuse, mental health difficulties or multiple and complex needs.
- Experience of using motivational approaches to engage individuals and support positive change.
- Knowledge of harm minimisation, recovery approaches, Naloxone, CBT or DBT principles and trauma-informed practice.
- Understanding of resettlement, behavioural change and desistance approaches to reducing reoffending.
- Ability to deliver effective one-to-one and group interventions.
- Strong communication, organisation, time-management and IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams.
- Ability to manage risk, recognise safeguarding concerns and maintain professional boundaries.
- Proactive, solution-focused approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
DESIRABLE:
- Experience of group work, individual interventions, therapeutic environments, coaching, mentoring, community engagement or partnership networks.
- Recent operational experience within the criminal justice sector.
- Level 3 NVQ/Diploma in Health and Social Care, or an equivalent relevant qualification.
- Relevant substance misuse qualifications or evidence of competencies, such as DANOS, RCGP or equivalent.
BENEFITS:
- 199.8 hours annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays, increasing with service, with the option to buy additional leave.
- Birthday Day off.
- 2 paid Volunteer Days each year.
- 5% employer pension contribution, matched by 5% employee contribution.
- Healthcare Cash Plan.
- Life Assurance, 3 x salary.
- Annual salary review.
- Refer a Friend scheme.
- Access to Benefit Hub with retail discounts, Cycle to Work scheme and additional voluntary benefits.
- All meals provided during your shift by in-house cooks.
By submitting your job application to us you are hereby giving us your express consent to submit your details to our Client for this purpose.
Substance Misuse Support Worker in Newport employer: AWD Online
Join a dynamic and supportive team within a large education organisation that prioritises employee growth and wellbeing. With a strong focus on shaping the people strategy, you will benefit from a collaborative work culture, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development while making a meaningful impact across North Somerset and Bristol.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Substance Misuse Support Worker in Newport
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at AWD Online.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from AWD Online!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like AWD Online, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at AWD Online or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Substance Misuse Support Worker in Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to AWD Online:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to AWD Online! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at AWD Online
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
