At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals with substance use issues in their recovery journey and prepare them for release.
- Company: Join Phoenix Futures, a leading charity with over 50 years of experience in substance use services.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, training opportunities, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Flexible shifts available, including evenings and weekends, in a collaborative team setting.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a dynamic and rewarding role.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable adults and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Phoenix Futures is looking to recruit a passionate and solution-focused Through the Gate Worker at HMP Pentonville. As a Through the Gate Worker, you will be providing harm reduction to those with substance use issues and supporting their recovery through relapse prevention and care planning.
Full-Time Permanent - 75 hour fortnight (£29,383.65), Mon-Sun rota basis.
You will also act as an advocate for these service users, signposting and referring to the necessary agencies in order to support them in their recovery holistically. You will be responsible for preparing service users for release and providing additional support in the community. This may involve accompanying prison leavers to community appointments and advocating for them to facilitate their engagement with probation, if applicable, and community support services. The role is 100% based at HMP Pentonville as your employment base. You would not be expected to do this community-based work alone; all work is risk assessed and protocols are in place to provide adequate staffing support to carry out these appointments safely.
As a Through the Gate Worker, you will have knowledge of recovery, care planning and will have the ability to build and maintain relationships with internal and external agencies. We are looking for someone who is self-motivated, can work on their own initiative, but more importantly, as part of a team. You will need good communication and organisational skills. Successful candidates will be dynamic and forward-thinking. The ideal candidate will have experience working with vulnerable adults presenting with substance, alcohol and associated issues.
This role will require occasional late shifts and weekends on a rota basis (8am-8pm Monday-Sunday). However, we are keen to hear from candidates who have a preference for working evenings and weekends only.
The Phoenix Futures Group has more than 50 years’ experience of developing and delivering pioneering substance use services. We believe in being the best and that is why we constantly strive to learn and innovate, to challenge ourselves, to adapt and to work together with others who can bring valuable expertise. Join us and we will support you to contribute to the creative development of our treatment and recovery approach to meet the needs of our service users, our commissioners and stakeholders.
Your Rewards
- Starting salary of £29,383.65 (Inclusive of Inner London Weighting) with opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal.
- 25 days’ annual leave, increasing 1 day yearly (Max 30 days).
- Dependants leave.
- Occupational sick pay.
- Season ticket loan, pension scheme, life assurance, discounts platform, and cycle scheme.
- Continuous training and career development.
- Access to a 24/7 Employee Assistance programme including telephone and online access.
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.
Through the Gate Worker employer: Phoenix Futures
At Phoenix Futures, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment at HMP Pentonville. Our commitment to employee growth is reflected in our comprehensive training opportunities, competitive salary structure, and generous benefits package, including a robust Employee Assistance programme. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a culture that values innovation, teamwork, and the well-being of both our staff and service users.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Through the Gate 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 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 Through the Gate 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 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.
