At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals on probation to achieve lasting recovery from substance misuse.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to breaking cycles of crime and addiction.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Diverse team culture welcoming all backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse or criminal justice and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 21000 - 30000 £ per year.
As a Recovery Navigator in the Dependency and Recovery Service, you’ll play a vital role in helping people on probation build and sustain recovery from substance misuse. Working as part of a multi-disciplinary, hybrid team, you’ll support predominately Wandsworth clients but will also be expected to support individuals in the Kingston, Richmond and Hounslow, Merton, and Sutton probation area. Your role is to help bridge the gap between probation and community treatment services: improving engagement, providing advocacy, and offering practical, motivational, and timebound interventions that support long-term recovery and reduce re-offending.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of adult male clients (prison leavers and those on community orders)
- Conduct comprehensive assessments and develop collaborative action plans
- Deliver 1:1 support, group sessions, and virtual interventions
- Provide advocacy and practical assistance, including referrals, form-filling, and attending appointments
- Offer advice, guidance, and information to empower clients to take control of their recovery journey
- Work closely with treatment providers, probation staff, and local partners to ensure seamless support
- Maintain accurate and timely case records and data for reporting purposes
- Help clients develop understanding and self-management of their dependency and recovery needs
- Contribute to team learning by developing subject matter expertise (SME) in specific areas such as BAME communities or chemsex support (where applicable)
About You
We’re looking for a motivated, empathetic professional with a passion for helping others achieve lasting recovery. You’ll bring:
Essential Experience & Skills:
- Experience working in substance misuse, criminal justice, or a related support field
- Strong background in case management, including risk assessment, SMART action planning, and accurate record-keeping
- Experience delivering 1:1 and group interventions using motivational and trauma-informed approaches
- Ability to build rapport and set professional boundaries
- Excellent organisational skills — able to manage workload, prioritise, and meet targets
- Strong partnership working skills with external agencies and probation staff
- Excellent communication skills with individuals from diverse backgrounds
- Understanding of equal opportunities, confidentiality, and GDPR compliance
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)
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.
Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
We recognise the importance of safeguarding, dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.
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.
South West Recovery Navigator in London employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals on their journey to recovery from addiction and crime. 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. Our London location provides access to a vibrant community, enhancing the meaningful impact our Recovery Navigators have in helping clients achieve lasting change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land South West Recovery Navigator in London
✨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 South West Recovery Navigator in London
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.
