At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with communities to support mental health recovery and co-create inclusive activities.
- Company: Restore, a leading mental health charity in Oxfordshire with nearly 50 years of experience.
- Benefits: Full-time role with a fixed-term contract until March 2027, offering meaningful work.
- Other info: Join a passionate team dedicated to social inclusion and personal empowerment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and help shape brighter futures.
- Qualifications: Experience in community support and strong communication skills are essential.
Full time - Fixed Term Contract until end of March 2027
Are you passionate about mental health recovery and social inclusion? For almost 50 years, Restore has supported communities across Oxfordshire to flourish as a leading local mental health charity. As a Recovery Outreach Worker, you’ll take recovery support out into communities—building trust, widening access, and co‑creating activities that reflect local strengths and lived experience. If you’re driven by values, connection, and impact, this is your chance to help people shape brighter futures.
About the Role
- Proactively reach and engage under‑engaged and marginalised communities through relationship‑led, culturally attuned outreach.
- Co‑design and deliver place‑based recovery activities with community members, reflecting local strengths, cultural norms, and community voice.
- Facilitate one‑to‑one and group support, using flexible, identity‑affirming approaches that respect lived experience and learning styles.
- Support people to set and pursue meaningful goals, promoting autonomy, independence, and inclusion.
- Work in partnership with individuals, families, carers, and community networks, recognising personal preferences and cultural perspectives.
- Embed safe, trauma‑informed practice that upholds dignity, empowerment, and confidentiality.
- Keep clear, person‑centred records and contribute to service quality, safeguarding, and continuous improvement.
What You’ll Bring
- Positive, resilient attitude and enthusiasm for Restore’s mission.
- Experience delivering one‑to‑one and group support in diverse communities, using inclusive, culturally responsive approaches.
- Strong communication, planning, and organisational skills, with IT literacy.
- Ability to build trust, engage people who may be hesitant to access services, and co‑design goals and recovery plans.
- Willingness and ability to travel across Oxfordshire as part of your role.
- Desirable: lived‑experience‑informed practice; motivational interviewing or coaching; experience supporting people with complex needs; community outreach and strengths/asset‑based approaches.
Mental Health Recovery Outreach Worker ( FTC) in Oxford employer: Restore UK
Restore is an exceptional employer that prioritises a supportive and inclusive work culture, making it an ideal place for an Office Coordinator to thrive. With a commitment to employee growth and development, staff are encouraged to enhance their skills while contributing to meaningful mental health recovery services. Located in a professional environment, the role offers a unique opportunity to be part of a dedicated team, ensuring that both staff and volunteers can deliver high-quality support to those in need.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Mental Health Recovery Outreach Worker ( FTC) in Oxford
✨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 Restore UK.
✨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 Restore UK!
✨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 Restore UK, 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 Restore UK or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
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 Restore UK:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Restore UK! 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 Restore UK
✨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.
