At a Glance
- Tasks: Support women with complex needs in their recovery journey from substance use.
- Company: Join Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, a leader in mental health services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team committed to equity and anti-racism.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive community.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance use treatment and a passion for helping others.
Responsible to: Deputy Operations Manager Leader at Turning Point, working alongside other MindCHWF employees in the City and Hackney Recovery Service.
Hours: 37.5 hours per week - Full-time
Salary: Starting salary is £32,067.19 PA at full time equivalent (SC6-SP26) with scope to increase to £34,340.64 (SC6 SP28)
Location: 102-110 Mare Street, Hackney.
Benefits: See supporting documents for information on benefits.
Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, working in partnership with Turning Point and Antidote, provide the City and Hackney Recovery service. The service is based in each of City and Hackney’s neighbourhoods in order to be accessible, local and inclusive. A full integrated service, shaped by the community needs and voices of service users, carers, families, communities, all staff and volunteers will contribute to recovery, social inclusion and improving the quality of life of all our service users in the City of London and Hackney borough.
The service has three elements:
- Out There, Everywhere - specialist outreach, in reach and engagement
- Building Blocks - low, medium and high intensity support pathways
- Get Connected - building on our local, individual, and shared assets to provide recovery capital and peer support
This role will be within the Complex Women’s team at C&H recovery service, supporting women with complex and overlapping needs affected by drug and alcohol use. You will support service users in their recovery from alcohol and/or substance use, empowering individuals to improve their wellbeing and develop positive sustainable support networks and protecting people from harm.
The successful candidate must have demonstrable experience in working within a substance use treatment and recovery setting, must have specialist training and supervision in one or more of the areas of need alongside substance use. This may be mental health, long term conditions, criminal justice, offending behaviour, homelessness, motivational interviewing, safeguarding, family work. An understanding of risk, risk management and managing crisis presentation is essential, as it applies to substance use and complexity.
The successful candidate will have a working knowledge of Safeguarding of Vulnerable Adults framework, the ability to follow procedure and development of a culture of safe practice. Ability to work under pressure and have significant experience of working in health and social care.
DBS clearance at Adult and Children Enhanced with Barring is required for this role.
About Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest: We are a multi-disciplinary provider of specialist mental health services and a part of the Mind Federation. We promote both recovery from ill health for people with recurrent and enduring mental health difficulties and early intervention for those at risk of developing mental health issues, or who struggle with common mental health conditions. We currently support around 5,000 people a year through a variety of services focusing on psychological, social, economic and workplace wellbeing, and support minoritised communities.
Our values are:
- Connected: Creating a compassionate and supportive community.
- Fair: We strive for equity - no-one’s needs should go unmet.
- Brave: We walk with people, offering help by doing what works – proven or new.
Working with Mind CHWF means you’ll be part of a dedicated, passionate, and professional workforce who cares about the work they do and make a real difference to the lives of the people in the City of London, Hackney, and Waltham Forest. We are committed to actively becoming anti-racist in everything we do. This is a critical priority for Mind CHWF. We embrace diversity and understand that being an inclusive organisation that recognises different perspectives will enable us to provide excellent services. We are committed to ensuring all our employees are treated fairly and equitably at work and promoting equity in physical and mental health for all. Those with lived experience of Mental Health are encouraged to apply.
Value-based Recruitment: We know that for various reasons, not everybody who can successfully perform in a role, performs their best under traditional interview/selection procedures. We are therefore seeking ways to further breakdown barriers in our recruitment & selection process. Shortlisted candidates will be provided with some questions to help them prepare for the interview. We are a disability confident employer. All applicants with a disability, who meet the minimum essential short-listing criteria are guaranteed an interview. If this applies to you, please let us know in your application.
Your privacy and the security of your data is our top priority. Please take a moment to read through our applicant’s privacy notice.
The closing date is by 3rd August 2026.
Advanced Recovery Practitioner employer: Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest
Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, we offer comprehensive training and opportunities to make a meaningful impact in the community. Our collaborative culture, combined with the chance to work alongside passionate professionals in the heart of East London, makes this role not just a job, but a rewarding career path in mental health and wellbeing.
Contact Details:
Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Advanced Recovery Practitioner
✨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 Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest.
✨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 Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest!
✨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 Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest, 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 Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest 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 Advanced Recovery Practitioner
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 Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest! 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 Mind in the City, Hackney and Waltham Forest
✨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.