At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide peer support and recovery services to individuals overcoming substance use challenges.
- Company: Join a supportive team dedicated to improving lives in East Lothian.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, receive ongoing training, and make a real difference in the community.
- Other info: Engage in a dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Use your lived experience to empower others on their recovery journey.
- Qualifications: Must have personal recovery experience and relevant qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Overview
The East GP Peer Support Worker (ELGPPSW) will be based in the Esk Centre in Musselburgh and will work at various locations across East Lothian. This post is funded by Midlothian and East Lothian Drug and Alcohol partnership (MELDAP).
Service outcomes
- Service users are appropriately supported from their first contact with services through individual and group peer support.
- Service users are supported to access relevant and appropriate services, resources and benefits.
- Service users’ involvement in recovery based services and networks are increased.
- Service users’ sense of wellbeing is improved.
Job purpose and responsibilities
The role of the East Lothian GP Outreach Peer Recovery Worker is to provide and promote peer support and recovery services to people moving on from the problematic use of alcohol or drugs. This will be achieved by supporting people in the different phases of their recovery from initial engagement with services and the recovery community through to options for education, training, volunteering and employment. The successful candidate will have a lived experience of recovery and support services and have a minimum of one year free from any problematic substance/alcohol use. A relevant SVQ (level 1 or above) is a requirement and experience of supporting this client group is essential. Further and ongoing training will be given.
- Provide service user led one-to-one support for clients through promoting choice, well-being and recovery.
- Provide support and advocacy to service users from referral to assessment through to treatment including pre and post residential support.
- Support client choice including harm reduction, abstinence and recovery based solutions.
- Be willing to share your own personal experiences of recovery in a safe and appropriate manner that maintains your own recovery and supports others on their own recovery journey.
- Support service users’ access to appropriate services for themselves. Act as an advocate for those who have problems around access and inclusion or, experience any stigma or discrimination associated with their use of alcohol and drugs.
- Provide practical support to people to ensure they make appointments and engage positively with services.
- Support service users to make the best possible use of local services, resources and amenities that meet their own health and well-being needs.
- Support service users to actively engage in the recovery community across East Lothian.
- Provide information about local mutual aid groups and recovery groups.
- Support the development of group based peer support.
- Co-facilitate the delivery of groupwork.
- Collect evidence which demonstrates the impact of peer support.
- Conduct interviews to gather experiential data from clients, staff and family for MAT standards.
- Maintain links with staff from alcohol and drug services, children and families services and promote access to these services.
- Represent the views of people with lived experience on inter-agency working groups and forums as required.
- To fulfil any other duties as discussed with the Project Manager.
Open Sessions
The following Open Sessions are being held, for information about MELD and what it\'s like working with us. The following Open Sessions are being held, for information about MELD and what it\'s like working with us.
- Starfish Cafe, Loretto Church Hall, Newbigging, Musselburgh - Wednesday 24/09/25 12 noon – 2pm
- Horizons Cafe, Dalkeith Baptist Church, 8 North Wynd, Dalkeith - Friday 26/09/25 12 noon – 2pm
- No11, 11 St Andrew Street, Dalkeith - Monday 22/09/25 5pm – 7pm
- Esk Centre, Ladywell Way, Musselburgh - Tuesday 23/09/25 5pm – 7pm
Come along to a session for an informal chat and access to paper copies of the application packs, or visit our website to download them, at www.meld-drugs.org.uk/job-vacancies
East Lothian GP Peer Support Worker employer: Mid and East Lothian Drugs
As an employer, MELD offers a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can make a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals recovering from substance use issues. Located in the heart of East Lothian, staff benefit from ongoing training opportunities and a culture that values lived experience, ensuring personal growth and professional development. With a focus on collaboration and community engagement, working at MELD not only enhances your career but also contributes to the well-being of the local community.
Contact Details:
Mid and East Lothian Drugs Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land East Lothian GP Peer Support Worker
✨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 Mid and East Lothian Drugs.
✨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 Mid and East Lothian Drugs!
✨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 Mid and East Lothian Drugs, 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 Mid and East Lothian Drugs 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 East Lothian GP Peer Support Worker
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 Mid and East Lothian Drugs:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mid and East Lothian Drugs! 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 Mid and East Lothian Drugs
✨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.
