At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in their recovery journey from drug and alcohol use through tailored interventions.
- Company: Join a passionate charity with over 50 years of experience in substance use treatment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, continuous training, and wellbeing support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace that values diverse backgrounds and personal experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance use treatment or lived experience, strong communication, and organisational skills.
Want to develop a career working in substance use treatment? Then come to work with our passionate and dedicated team, committed to supporting a change in the lives of those using drugs and alcohol.
This role will be based at our Chesterfield site, working 37.5 hours per week Monday‑Friday 9am‑5pm on a permanent contract. We are looking for an experienced Drug and Alcohol Practitioner to join our Chesterfield team, managing a caseload of service users presenting with drug and alcohol issues in the North Chesterfield area of Derbyshire county.
The role will involve offering a range of harm reduction interventions and structured key working, helping engage service users in a care‑planned and recovery‑focussed way to attain improved health outcomes and achieve their personalised treatment goals. It will involve you effectively organising and delivering 1‑2‑1 care‑planned support and facilitating group work sessions as required, using appropriate models, interventions and approaches tailored to meet the individual needs of service users. Furthermore, you will support them in their individual, person‑centred journey to build recovery capital by partnership working with other support agencies and local projects.
You will work closely with specialist teams within our service, including recovery connectors, employment workers, rehab workers, counsellors and clinical colleagues. You will need to have a driving licence and use of a vehicle for work in this role, due to the rurality of Derbyshire and travelling between our Chesterfield town centre office base and satellite site in north Chesterfield.
Full role training and shadowing opportunities will be included as part of your induction. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important to include people with lived experience to ensure the needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is free to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity.
If you want to help other people change their lives, we'd love to have you in our team. You'll give people support and inspiration that will help them change their lives for the better.
The Location: This role will be based in the Chesterfield area of Derbyshire. There is a staff car park on site. This wonderful, diverse team is knowledgeable and supportive, with a wealth of knowledge to impart.
About You: We are keen to hear from anyone with experience of working within the field of drug and alcohol use, and/or has lived experience, and is very motivated and passionate about recovery and supporting others. We welcome applications from individuals that have good communication skills, both written and verbal, are highly motivated, can use their own initiative, and have good organisational and diary management skills. Administrative skills are also vital for this role to maintain good record keeping and to have a keen eye for data detail.
Your Rewards: Starting salary of £26,298 with opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal, meaning potential salary increase up to £28,000 per annum (pro rata). 25 days’ annual leave plus Bank Holidays (increasing each year to a maximum of 30 days) (pro rata). Benefits including season ticket loan, pension scheme and life assurance. Support through occupational sick pay, eye‑care vouchers and regular wellbeing talks and activities. Continuous training and career development via PXL our dedicated learning management system. Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme including telephone and online access.
As we work in partnership with the Healthcare Foundation Trust in Derbyshire, staff have access to some NHS‑related training and opportunity to apply for discounts eg Blue Light. A rewarding role with the opportunity to help us support people on their journey to recovery and change their lives for the better. We’ll ensure you get all the training and support you need to thrive and succeed in your role and find your place amongst our incredible and collaborative team.
About Phoenix Futures: Phoenix Futures Group is a charity with over 50 years’ experience and a leading provider of drug and alcohol treatment. Our values are what define us and ensure we work to the highest standards. We believe in being the best, we are passionate about recovery, we value our history and use it to inform our future. We work with local authorities, other charities and service providers across the country to deliver innovative programmes and projects that change lives for the better, setting people on the path to health and emotional wellbeing. We provide a diverse range of services, our expertise in psychosocial treatment and support is the common thread that runs through everything we do. People need psychological interventions, social support, meaningful use of time, sense of purpose and a place of safety to sustain their recovery. At our core, we support people, families and communities to recover from drug and alcohol dependency. We encourage and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and believe it is important to include people with lived experience to ensure the needs of the people we support are represented. We are committed to creating an inclusive working environment where everyone is free to be themselves and we ensure equity of opportunity.
Drug and Alcohol Practitioner in Chesterfield employer: Phoenix Futures
Phoenix Futures is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture that empowers employees to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those struggling with substance use. Located in Chesterfield, our team benefits from continuous training and career development opportunities, alongside a comprehensive rewards package that includes generous annual leave and access to NHS-related training. Join us to be part of a passionate team where your contributions are valued, and you can truly help others on their journey to recovery.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Drug and Alcohol Practitioner in Chesterfield
✨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 Phoenix Futures.
✨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 Phoenix Futures!
✨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 Phoenix Futures, 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 Phoenix Futures 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 Drug and Alcohol Practitioner in Chesterfield
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 Phoenix Futures:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Phoenix Futures! 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 Phoenix Futures
✨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.
