At a Glance
- Tasks: Coordinate and facilitate group programmes for mental health and substance misuse support.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse team culture with a commitment to inclusivity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in mental health or psychosocial support and strong group facilitation skills.
A unique opportunity to shape and deliver a new integrated group programme supporting people with co-occurring mental health and substance misuse needs across East Kent and Medway. This is a full-time role (35 hours per week), offered on a fixed-term basis until 31/03/2027. We’re looking for a motivated and collaborative practitioner to coordinate and facilitate psychosocial group interventions, ensuring service users receive joined-up, person-centred support that responds to complex needs. You’ll play a key role in bringing services together, strengthening joint working between mental health and substance misuse teams, and improving outcomes for those we support.
What you’ll be doing:
- Coordinating and delivering a regional group programme across East Kent and Medway
- Facilitating psychosocial drug and alcohol group sessions
- Assessing suitability for group interventions and reviewing referrals
- Maintaining contact with service users before and after group work
- Working closely with mental health providers and partner agencies
- Supporting evaluation, reporting, and continuous service improvement
Who this role supports:
You’ll be working with adults (18+) who may:
- Experience co-occurring mental health and substance misuse needs
- Be involved with criminal justice or social care services
- Require coordinated support from multiple services and agencies
What we’re looking for:
- Experience in mental health, substance misuse, or psychosocial support
- Confidence in facilitating group work and delivering 1:1 interventions
- Strong partnership-working skills across multidisciplinary teams
- Ability to assess risk, manage referrals, and prioritise effectively
- A reflective, proactive, and solution-focused approach
This is a highly collaborative role where integrated working is essential. You’ll need to build strong relationships across services, support continuity of care, and contribute to a developing group programme that makes a real difference to people’s lives.
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 and the employees who work for us are 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’ service and up to 9% thereafter
- Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
- Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
Diversity at Forward Trust:
The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness. When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.
To Apply:
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to their website to complete your application.
Mental Health Group Facilitation Co-Ordinator in Canterbury employer: Forward Trust
Contact Detail:
Forward Trust Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Group Facilitation Co-Ordinator in Canterbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the mental health and substance misuse sectors. Attend local events or workshops, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect job!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience in facilitating group work and your ability to assess complex needs. Make sure they see how you can bring value to their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to reiterate why you’re the best fit for the job.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate and keeps everything in one place.
We think you need these skills to ace Mental Health Group Facilitation Co-Ordinator in Canterbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience in mental health and substance misuse. We want to see how your skills align with the role of Mental Health Group Facilitation Co-Ordinator, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Your Collaborative Spirit: This role is all about teamwork! Use your application to demonstrate your partnership-working skills and how you’ve successfully collaborated with multidisciplinary teams in the past. We love a good team player!
Be Person-Centred: Remember, this position focuses on supporting individuals with complex needs. Share examples of how you've provided person-centred support in your previous roles. We’re keen to see your reflective and proactive approach!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Forward Trust
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of mental health and substance misuse. Understand the challenges faced by individuals with co-occurring needs, and be ready to discuss how you can facilitate group interventions effectively.
✨Show Your Collaborative Spirit
This role is all about teamwork! Be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully worked with multidisciplinary teams in the past. Highlight your partnership-working skills and how you can strengthen joint efforts between services.
✨Demonstrate Your Facilitation Skills
Since you'll be facilitating group sessions, think of specific instances where you've led group work or 1:1 interventions. Share your approach to creating a supportive environment and how you engage participants in discussions.
✨Be Reflective and Solution-Focused
Employers love candidates who can reflect on their experiences and learn from them. Prepare to discuss challenges you've faced in previous roles and how you've proactively found solutions. This will show your ability to adapt and improve continuously.