At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals on their recovery journey through 1:1 sessions and group work.
- Company: Join The Forward Trust, a social enterprise dedicated to empowering change.
- Benefits: Flexible working, training opportunities, and generous annual leave.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team committed to equality and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community and help rebuild lives.
- Qualifications: Passion for recovery support and strong relationship-building skills.
- Women’s
- Recovery
- Champion
- Vacancy
Type: Permanent, Full Time (35 hours per week) An exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Recovery Support Team in Southend-on-Sea, Essex, working closely with the STARS recovery community.
This is a full-time role (35 hours per week) where you’ll play a key part in supporting individuals on their recovery journey across the wider Southend area.
We are looking for an enthusiastic, empathetic, and motivated practitioner with a strong understanding of professional boundaries and ideally lived experience or knowledge of recovery and the local community.
You’ll work alongside the BRi C Coordinator and wider multi-agency partners to deliver person-centred recovery support and help build strong pathways into and through recovery services.
- What you’ll be doing
- Carrying a small caseload of recovery support clients
- Delivering 1:1 sessions, group work, and structured recovery interventions
- Facilitating welcome PODS and lived experience workshops
- Supporting recovery groups and service user involvement activities
- Working with partners to develop community recovery pathways
- Supporting assessments, care planning, and harm reduction approaches
- Helping clients access housing, benefits, training, and employment support
- Contributing to outcome-focused targets and service improvement What we’re looking for
- Passion for recovery-focused, community-based support
- Ability to work confidently in a multi-agency environment
- Strong relationship-building and motivational skills
- Understanding of harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches
- Organised, reflective, and committed to professional development Experience in recovery services or lived experience of recovery would be highly desirable.
Be part of a supportive and purpose-driven team making a real impact, helping individuals rebuild their lives, strengthen recovery, and reconnect with their communities.
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 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) We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and do not discriminate on the basis of gender.
We welcome applications from anyone who feels they have the skills, experience and suitability to work effectively with women and girls in this role.
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
Women's Recovery Champion in Southend-on-Sea employer: Forward Trust
The Forward Trust is an exceptional employer dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome the challenges of crime and addiction. Located in Hertfordshire, we offer a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing, flexible working arrangements, and comprehensive training and development opportunities. Our commitment to social impact, combined with family-friendly policies and a collaborative environment, makes us an ideal place for passionate professionals looking to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Women's Recovery Champion in Southend-on-Sea
✨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 Women's Recovery Champion in Southend-on-Sea
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.
