At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with vulnerable individuals to support their recovery and improve their lives.
- Company: Join Change Grow Live, a compassionate organisation making a real difference in communities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, wellness support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible, fast-paced environment with excellent growth potential.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team that creates meaningful change for those facing complex challenges.
- Qualifications: Experience in outreach or support roles, with strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 27861 - 32002 € per year.
Outreach Drug and Alcohol Recovery Worker
Southwark Rough Sleeper Team
Be part of change. Help people rebuild their lives. At Change Grow Live, we believe that with the right support, people can change the direction of their lives. Every day, our teams work alongside people facing some of the most complex challenges in society — homelessness, substance misuse, poor mental health, trauma and social exclusion — helping individuals move towards safety, stability and recovery.
Guided by our values — Be Open, Be Compassionate and Be Bold — we create services that are person-centred, trauma-informed and rooted in dignity, hope and respect. We are now looking for an Outreach Drug and Alcohol Recovery Worker to join our Southwark Rough Sleeper Team — a dynamic role supporting people sleeping rough or at risk of rough sleeping across the borough. This is more than a recovery role. It is an opportunity to engage some of the most vulnerable people in the community and help create meaningful, lasting change.
About You
We are looking for someone who is compassionate, adaptable and driven by purpose. You will have experience supporting people with multiple and complex needs and feel confident working in community and outreach settings where flexibility and resilience are essential. You may come from a substance misuse, homelessness, mental health, criminal justice, social care or outreach background. Most importantly, you will bring:
- Experience working with people who are homeless, rough sleeping or vulnerably housed
- Strong engagement and relationship-building skills
- Confidence working with individuals who may display challenging behaviour
- The ability to work autonomously and manage competing priorities
- A proactive and solutions-focused mindset
- Excellent communication and partnership-working skills
- Confidence engaging with professionals across housing, health and social care systems
- Strong organisational and case recording skills
- A compassionate, non-judgemental and recovery-focused approach
- Knowledge of local services, mutual aid networks and the Southwark area would be advantageous.
Why Join Change Grow Live?
At Change Grow Live, our people are at the centre of everything we achieve. When you join us, you become part of a supportive, ambitious and values-driven organisation where your work has real impact and where your development genuinely matters.
Contract: 10 Month Fixed Term Contract
Hours: Full Time
Please note: 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
About the Role
As part of the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government funding programme, Change Grow Live has worked in partnership with local stakeholders to strengthen support for people experiencing rough sleeping. Following successful funding approval, we are expanding our Southwark Rough Sleeper Team and are looking for passionate, resilient and proactive individuals to join us. You will work directly with people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping or unstable accommodation, many of whom are living with substance misuse, mental health challenges and multiple complex needs. The role sits within our drug and alcohol treatment service, with a strong focus on outreach, harm reduction, engagement and recovery.
You will primarily work across hostels, emergency accommodation settings and community locations, building trusted relationships with residents and helping people access the support they need to improve their health, wellbeing and housing outcomes. No two days are the same. One moment you may be supporting someone into treatment for the first time, the next you could be working alongside hostel staff, healthcare teams or local partners to reduce risk and improve safety for vulnerable individuals. This is a role for someone who thrives in fast-paced environments, values relationship-based practice and genuinely believes in the possibility of recovery.
What You’ll Be Doing
Engaging people with a history of rough sleeping and substance use into treatment and support services
Delivering relationship-based, trauma-informed and harm-reduction focused interventions
Working directly within hostels, shelters and emergency accommodation settings
Supporting individuals to improve health, wellbeing, recovery and social inclusion outcomes
Building strong partnerships with local authorities, housing providers, healthcare teams and community organisations
Attending multi-disciplinary meetings and contributing to coordinated support plans
Advocating for individuals and supporting access to health, social care and community services
Promoting recovery, resilience, peer support and safer living
Accurately recording interventions, risk assessments and case notes
Helping shape best practice approaches for supporting people experiencing homelessness and substance misuse.
What We Offer
A meaningful role where you can directly change lives and strengthen communities
Excellent training, learning and career development opportunities
A supportive multidisciplinary team environment
A paid Wellness Hour each week
Access to our Wellness Hub and Employee Assistance Programme
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata), rising to 30 days with continued service
A contributory pension scheme
Discounts on shopping, holidays, cinema trips and more
Refer-a-Friend scheme
The opportunity to be part of innovative outreach and rough sleeper pathways making a visible difference across Southwark.
About Change Grow Live
At Change Grow Live, we are committed to building services rooted in compassion, evidence and community need. We work alongside people, not around them — helping individuals feel heard, respected and empowered to create positive change in their lives. Our teams are diverse, inclusive and united by one shared purpose: helping people build healthier, safer and more hopeful futures. If you are passionate about outreach, recovery and supporting people facing multiple disadvantage, we would love to hear from you.
Please read the full job description and person specification for further information about the role and requirements.
Contract Type: Fixed Term until the 31st of March 2027
Interviews to be held: week commencing 1st June 2027
Salary Range (pro rata if part time): CGL points 23 to 28 (£27,861.26 - £32,002.35)
ILW / OLW /Fringe: Inner London Weighting (£4,133.14)
Closing Date: 31/5/2026
If you have any questions on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details:
Cat Young (Southwark Adults) | catriona.young@cgl.org.uk | 07345461013
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
Outreach Recovery Worker in London employer: Change Grow Live
Change Grow Live is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of vulnerable individuals. With a strong focus on employee development, a supportive team environment, and a commitment to values such as compassion and respect, you will find meaningful work that not only enhances your career but also contributes to the well-being of the Southwark community. Enjoy benefits like excellent training opportunities, a paid Wellness Hour, and generous annual leave, all while being part of a dynamic team that believes in the power of recovery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Recovery Worker in London
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Change Grow Live and understand their values. When you show genuine interest in their mission during interviews, it’ll set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to outreach and recovery. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions. Think about your past experiences and how they relate to the challenges faced by those you’ll be supporting. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email expressing your appreciation for the opportunity. It shows your enthusiasm and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Outreach Recovery Worker in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Authentic:When you're writing your application, let your true self shine through. We want to see your passion for helping others and your unique experiences that make you a great fit for the Outreach Recovery Worker role.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant experience with homelessness, substance misuse, or mental health. We love seeing how your background aligns with our mission at Change Grow Live!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t forget to emphasise your relationship-building skills and your ability to work autonomously. We’re looking for someone who can engage effectively with vulnerable individuals, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Change Grow Live
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of an Outreach Recovery Worker. Familiarise yourself with the challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and substance misuse. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely passionate about making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Compassion
During the interview, highlight your compassionate approach. Share specific examples from your past experiences where you've successfully supported vulnerable individuals. This will illustrate your ability to connect with people and build trust, which is crucial in this role.
✨Be Ready for Real Scenarios
Expect situational questions that assess how you'd handle challenging behaviours or complex needs. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios you might face in the role and how you would respond. This shows your proactive mindset and readiness to tackle the unexpected.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, support systems in place, or how success is measured in the role. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values.
