At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing homelessness and mental health challenges to achieve stability and independence.
- Company: Connection Support, dedicated to reducing homelessness and improving lives.
- Benefits: Generous leave, health benefits, eco travel incentives, and discounts.
- Other info: Join a compassionate team committed to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help them overcome crises.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health, substance misuse, and supporting complex needs.
The predicted salary is between 28541 - 32544 £ per year.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and are committed to increasing diversity, particularly encouraging candidates from underrepresented groups to apply. Are you passionate about making a difference in reducing homelessness? Whether it’s due to homelessness or poor mental health, the number of people experiencing a crisis is on the rise. Connection Support believes in a future where people are free from crisis. But for the times when crises do happen, we’ll be there to help every step of the way. Does this sound like something you want to be a part of?
We are currently recruiting a Specialist Dual Diagnosis Officer to join our brand new Service in Northampton.
About The Service
Ray House provides accommodation, support and advice to adults experiencing homelessness with a history of rough sleeping. The service helps individuals build stability, improve wellbeing and move towards independent living through accommodation-based support and access to specialist services.
The impact you will have
You will play a key role in supporting residents with complex needs, including co-occurring mental health and substance misuse challenges, to achieve greater stability, recovery and independence. Through specialist, trauma-informed support, you will help individuals build resilience, develop practical life skills and access the services needed to sustain accommodation and improve wellbeing. Using your expertise in dual diagnosis, you will work collaboratively with residents, colleagues and partner agencies to deliver coordinated, person-centred support. Your work will help reduce crisis situations, promote recovery, and create positive, long-term outcomes for individuals with some of the most complex support needs.
Contract Details
- Contract: Permanent
- Salary: £28,541 - £32,544 per annum, dependent on experience
- Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
- Shift Pattern: Monday - Friday, with some flexibility to work on weekends, evenings and bank holidays to support the needs of the service. Shift times are currently being finalised and will be confirmed at interview. Typical shifts may include: 12.00pm - 20.00pm
- Closing Date: Friday 8 May 2026 at 12:00pm
- Interview Dates: Between Wednesday 13 May and Monday 18 May 2026
About You
You will be a compassionate and knowledgeable practitioner with experience supporting people with complex needs. You will bring a trauma-informed, person-centred approach and be confident working with individuals experiencing co-occurring mental health and substance misuse challenges. You will have:
- A relevant qualification in mental health, substance misuse, psychology, social care, counselling or a related field (or equivalent experience).
- Evidence of continued professional development relating to dual diagnosis, addiction or mental health.
- Experience of working with individuals experiencing mental health issues and substance misuse.
- Experience supporting people with multiple and complex needs, including homelessness, trauma or offending history.
- Experience of working in partnership with mental health services, substance misuse providers and other statutory agencies.
- Experience of undertaking risk assessments and developing support plans.
- Knowledge of dual diagnosis and the relationship between mental health and substance misuse.
- Understanding of trauma‑informed, psychologically informed and recovery-focused practice.
You will be resilient, empathetic and able to work confidently with individuals presenting with complex needs, while contributing positively to a collaborative and supportive team environment.
What We Offer In Return
Connection Support is committed to equality of opportunity and to creating a fair and inclusive environment where everyone feels valued and respected. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented groups and those with lived experience to apply. We offer a generous benefits package, including 30 days’ annual leave (pro rata for part time), bank holidays, sick pay, health-related benefits, eco travel incentives, childcare discounts, retail discounts and more.
Dual Diagnosis Officer (Ray House) in Northampton employer: Connection Support
Connection Support is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals facing homelessness and mental health challenges. Located in Northampton, our new Ray House service offers a supportive and inclusive work culture, where employees are encouraged to grow professionally through ongoing training and development opportunities. With a generous benefits package that includes 30 days of annual leave, health-related perks, and a commitment to diversity, we strive to create a workplace where every team member feels valued and empowered to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Dual Diagnosis Officer (Ray House) in Northampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field of mental health and homelessness. Attend events, join online forums, or connect on LinkedIn. The more connections we make, the better our chances of landing that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Connection Support and understand their mission. Think about how your experience aligns with their values and be ready to share specific examples of how you've made a difference in similar roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Create a portfolio or a personal website highlighting your qualifications and experiences related to dual diagnosis. This can set us apart from other candidates and give us an edge in the hiring process.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at Ray House. Let’s make a difference together!
We think you need these skills to ace Dual Diagnosis Officer (Ray House) in Northampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When writing your application, let your passion for reducing homelessness shine through. Share personal experiences or motivations that drive you to make a difference in this field.
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the role of Dual Diagnosis Officer. Highlight relevant qualifications and experiences that align with the job description, especially your work with complex needs and dual diagnosis.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon, making it easy for us to see how your skills and experiences fit the role.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application is received properly and gives you a chance to explore more about our values and the impact we aim to make.
How to prepare for a job interview at Connection Support
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of dual diagnosis, mental health, and substance misuse. Familiarise yourself with the specific challenges faced by individuals experiencing homelessness and how trauma-informed support can make a difference. This will show your passion and expertise during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experiences working with complex needs. Think of specific examples where you've made a positive impact, especially in collaborative settings. Highlight any partnerships you've built with mental health services or other agencies, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare some insightful questions about the service at Ray House, the team dynamics, or the specific challenges they face. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if this is the right fit for you.
✨Be Yourself
Connection Support values authenticity and diversity. Don’t be afraid to share your personal journey or what drives your passion for this work. Being genuine can help you connect with the interviewers and demonstrate your commitment to making a difference.
