Senior Family Worker in Reading

You will be joining a respected and well established community substance misuse service that provides specialist support to individuals with a range of drug and alcohol needs. The organisation is known for delivering high quality, trauma informed and person centred interventions while working in close partnership with mental health teams, primary care, safeguarding services, housing providers and wider community groups. Their values centre around empowerment, recovery, inclusion and promoting safer, healthier communities. Staff are supported with ongoing training, professional development, and a culture that champions equality, diversity and continuous learning.

We are seeking an experienced and committed Senior Worker to join our multi-disciplinary drug and alcohol recovery service. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about supporting people with complex needs and who thrives in a fast paced, collaborative environment.

As a Senior Worker, you will act as a practice lead within the team, supporting colleagues, guiding best practice, and ensuring high quality service delivery. You will work closely with individuals experiencing complex substance use, co-existing mental and physical health needs, and wider social challenges. You will also support the development of recovery communities, mentor peer supporters, and deputise for management when required.

• Identify and engage people with complex substance misuse, mental health or physical health needs.
• Provide structured psychosocial and/or clinical interventions to support recovery and promote overall health.
• Deliver comprehensive assessments, create detailed recovery plans, and support social reintegration.
• Support individuals to build recovery capital through peer support, mutual aid involvement, and community engagement.
• Deliver harm minimisation advice including overdose prevention, safer use strategies and BBV awareness.
• Support with DBST, urine/saliva testing, and other screening processes (training provided).
• Provide needle exchange services and distribute Naloxone appropriately.
• Act as a practice lead, supporting colleagues to maintain high quality, evidence based interventions.
• Support case file audits and contribute to a learning culture that improves service delivery.
• Deputise for the Team Leader at meetings as required.
• Lead on specific work streams and guide frontline staff in delivering consistent, high quality care.
• Manage the recruitment, supervision and development of Peer Mentors and Volunteers.
• Promote service-user involvement and strengthen the peer support offer across the service.
• Work collaboratively with a wide range of partners including mental health services, GPs, hospitals, safeguarding teams, criminal justice agencies and community organisations.
• Ensure accurate, timely recording and reporting of data in line with service standards.
• Maintain confidentiality, professional boundaries and GDPR compliance at all times.

• Experienced in supporting people with drug and alcohol issues.
• Confident leading specific work areas and guiding frontline workers.
• Highly organised with strong assessment, planning and risk management skills.
• Compassionate, resilient and committed to safeguarding and trauma informed practice.
• Able to communicate complex information clearly to individuals and groups.
• IT confident, with the ability to maintain accurate and timely records.
• Experienced in managing complex child and adult safeguarding cases.

• The opportunity to work in a respected, values-driven organisation committed to empowering service users and improving community wellbeing.
• Access to high-quality training and development, including structured induction modules and ongoing learning opportunities.
• Support from experienced managers, specialist teams and a collaborative multi-disciplinary environment.
• The chance to act as a practice leader and develop your supervisory skills.
• A meaningful role where you will make a direct, positive impact on the lives of individuals with complex needs.

If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn’t quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.