At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with communities to improve access to recovery services and support individuals on their journey.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering lives through recovery.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, wellbeing days, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Opportunity for personal growth and to shape inclusive services in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in underserved communities and help break the cycle of addiction.
- Qualifications: Experience in community work, strong communication skills, and a commitment to inclusivity.
Location: Gillingham
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent
We're looking for a passionate and proactive Outreach Inclusive Recovery Worker to join our team on a full-time basis (35 hours per week). This is an exciting opportunity to help improve access to recovery services for underserved communities across Medway, with a particular focus on Eastern European communities. We are particularly interested in hearing from candidates who have experience working with Eastern European communities and understand the cultural, social and practical barriers that can impact access to support services. Your insight and ability to build trust will play a key role in helping people access the support they need. You'll engage with people who may face barriers to treatment, build meaningful community relationships, and support individuals to access recovery, health and wellbeing services.
What you'll be doing:
- Delivering outreach in community settings across Medway
- Building relationships with underrepresented and migrant communities
- Reducing barriers to support, including stigma, language and mistrust
- Managing a caseload and delivering person-centred recovery support
- Completing assessments, recovery plans and harm reduction interventions
- Developing partnerships with community groups, voluntary organisations and key stakeholders
- Identifying gaps in service access and helping shape more inclusive services
- Managing risk, safeguarding concerns and maintaining accurate records
What we're looking for:
- Experience in health, social care, community work or supporting people facing barriers to services
- Strong communication, engagement and relationship-building skills
- An understanding of substance use, recovery and person-centred support
- A commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice
- The ability to work independently and build connections within local communities
We'd especially love to hear from you if you have:
- Experience working with migrant and/or Eastern European communities
- Outreach or community engagement experience
- Lived experience of substance use and recovery (where you choose to disclose this)
- The ability to communicate in Polish, Romanian, Bulgarian, Lithuanian or another Eastern European language (desirable, not essential)
If you're passionate about tackling health inequalities, empowering communities and supporting people on their recovery journey, we'd love to hear from you.
Please see attached Job Description for full details.
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
- BHSF 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.
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 our website to complete your application.
Locations
Outreach Inclusive Recovery Worker in Gillingham, Norfolk employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals and communities, particularly in Gillingham, where the Outreach Inclusive Recovery Worker will play a vital role in enhancing access to recovery services for underserved populations. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we offer flexible working arrangements, comprehensive training and development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying generous benefits, including annual leave that increases with service, a contributory pension scheme, and wellbeing days.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Inclusive Recovery Worker in Gillingham, Norfolk
✨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 Forward Trust.
✨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 Forward Trust!
✨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 Forward Trust, 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 Forward Trust 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 Outreach Inclusive Recovery Worker in Gillingham, Norfolk
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 Forward Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Forward Trust! 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 Forward Trust
✨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.
