At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable residents in overcoming challenges and achieving positive change.
- Company: Join a dynamic team at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, competitive leave, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Be part of a transformative vision for the community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while growing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with individuals in crisis and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 26563 - 32465 £ per year.
Hours: 14.8 hours a week. This role will be a job share - this role will do 14.8 hours while the other job share will do 22.2 hours to make up a full-time post.
Contract: Fixed term contract
Location: Castle House, Newcastle-under-Lyme
About the job: This is an exciting opportunity to join our dynamic hard-working team where no two days are the same. We are looking to recruit a passionate and creative Safe Recovery Officer as part of a job share. Are you passionate about helping people overcome complex challenges and achieve positive, lasting change? We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Safe Recovery Officer to join our team, working at the heart of our approach to supporting vulnerable residents in the borough.
This role will work closely with the Vulnerability Hub and partner organisations, to support individuals with complex needs. You will work directly with vulnerable residents, helping them access support, build resilience, improve wellbeing, and address the root causes of issues affecting their lives. By taking a person and trauma-informed approach, you will help individuals achieve sustainable outcomes.
You will have experience of working with people in crisis who may be suffering from poor mental health, alcohol and substance misuse, hoarding and at risk from homelessness. At the centre of this role is a commitment to delivering a person-centred approach, recognising that every individual's circumstances, experiences and aspirations are unique. You will work alongside customers to understand not just the challenges they face, but also their strengths, capabilities and goals. By building trusted relationships and empowering people to make informed choices, you will support them to overcome barriers, increase independence, improve their wellbeing and achieve sustainable, long-term positive change in their lives.
What we’re looking for: You will be someone who genuinely believes in people's ability to make positive changes in their lives when provided with the right support, encouragement and opportunities. You will understand the importance of building trusting relationships, listening without judgement and working with individuals at their own pace. Using a person-centred and strengths-based approach, you will be passionate about helping people identify solutions, overcome barriers and achieve meaningful improvements in their wellbeing, independence and life circumstances.
Why work for us? Newcastle-under-Lyme is a borough with big ambitions. We’ve already started our transformation, however, we still need to find better ways of doing things because we are determined to do the very best we can for our communities. If our vision is to be the best, then we need the best people working for us. Our people are at the heart of what we do and have the freedom to innovate, grow and develop. We recruit people who share our vision and values, people who have the drive to deliver our ambitious council plan.
Our historic borough is a place of marked contrasts. We are the home of a world-class University at Keele, a leading light known internationally for its research and sustainability record, which stands side by side with former mining communities including some which register amongst the most deprived areas in the country. Our Borough is also a mixture of urban centres, affected by some of the same social issues facing our neighbouring city, Stoke-on-Trent, but also outstanding rural landscapes in our less populated villages. Our plans and priorities aim to address the needs of all our communities.
Our People offer: We reward our people with a competitive range of benefits including:
- Access to the local government pension scheme
- Minimum 24 days annual leave plus 5 extra days after 5 years' service
- Flexible working options and family-friendly policies
- Local and national high street discounts
- Free car parking
- Wellbeing support including £12.50 per month Jubilee2 membership
- Green travel scheme including cycle to work and electric car salary sacrifice
- Free employee 24-hour employee assistance and counselling services, flu vaccination service and health checks
Should we receive a large number of applications, then this post could close sooner than the date stated. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted within two weeks of the closing date.
While we value diverse backgrounds and experiences, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship. Applicants must be able to prove they have the Right to Work in the U.K. We are committed to making our recruitment process as accessible as possible for everyone. This includes making adjustments or changes for disabled people, neurodiverse people or people with long-term health conditions. If you would like us to do anything differently during the interview or assessment process please contact our People team (humanresources@newcastle-staffs.gov.uk).
Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council is committed to the employment and career development of disabled people, armed forces and care leavers. As such we offer an interview guarantee scheme where you meet the minimum criteria for the role. By minimum criteria we mean you must provide us with evidence in your application and supporting information which demonstrates that you generally meet the level of skills and experience defined in the person specification and as indicated by the Disability Confident symbol.
Safe Recovery Officer employer: Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council
Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council is an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in their community. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional growth, the council fosters a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Join us in enhancing local spaces and building stronger community connections in a vibrant and engaging environment.
Contact Details:
Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Safe Recovery Officer
✨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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council.
✨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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council!
✨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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council, 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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council 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 Safe Recovery Officer
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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council! 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 Newcastle Under Lyme Borough Council
✨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.
