At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing substance use and gambling challenges through coaching-style interventions.
- Company: Join a passionate charity dedicated to empowering people and preventing homelessness.
- Benefits: Work-life balance with 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team focused on personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives and support their journey to recovery.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable individuals and a passion for positive change.
Stepping Stone Projects is a well-established and growing charity committed to preventing homelessness, reducing social exclusion and empowering people to build brighter futures across the North West.
We are seeking a passionate and resilient Welfare Intervention Officer to support people on probation who may be experiencing challenges related to substance use, gambling and other complex life circumstances. This is an exciting opportunity to work within our highly regarded Bury Integrated Rehabilitation Support (IRS) Service, helping individuals identify barriers, build resilience and access the specialist support needed to make lasting positive changes.
About the Service
The Bury IRS Service provides a multi-agency approach to supporting people on probation. Operating from a community-based hub, we bring together a range of partner organisations to offer coordinated interventions that address individual needs and promote positive outcomes. Working alongside probation services, statutory partners and specialist support providers, we help customers access the right services at the right time. Our approach focuses on reducing barriers, encouraging personal responsibility and supporting sustainable behaviour change. The service regularly reviews performance and outcomes to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers while delivering against contractual expectations and key performance indicators.
About the Role
As a Welfare Intervention Officer, you will deliver coaching-style interventions for individuals whose lives may be affected by substance use, gambling behaviours and other complex challenges. You will work alongside customers to identify goals, explore motivations for change and develop practical action plans that support recovery, wellbeing and social inclusion. Rather than providing clinical interventions, your role will focus on engagement, guidance, advocacy and facilitating access to specialist services. Using a strengths-based and person-centred approach, you will help individuals navigate local support systems, engage with partner agencies and overcome barriers that may be preventing them from achieving their potential. You will play a key role within a multidisciplinary team, working collaboratively with probation practitioners, specialist agencies and community organisations to deliver meaningful outcomes for customers.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver coaching-style, person-centred interventions that promote positive behavioural change.
- Support customers affected by substance use, gambling-related harms and other complex support needs.
- Assess individual needs and identify appropriate pathways into specialist support services.
- Carry out initial conversations and develop action plans tailored to individual circumstances.
- Signpost and refer customers to partner agencies, treatment providers and community-based services.
- Build trusting relationships that encourage engagement, motivation and personal accountability.
- Advocate on behalf of customers and support them to access services, opportunities and resources.
- Work closely with probation services and multi-agency partners to coordinate effective support plans.
- Monitor progress against agreed objectives and outcome measures.
- Maintain accurate records, case notes and performance data.
- Contribute to the achievement of service objectives and contractual KPI requirements.
- Support the continuous development of the service through partnership working and best practice sharing.
About You
We're looking for someone who believes in people's ability to change and is passionate about helping individuals take positive steps forward. You may come from a background in criminal justice, housing, homelessness, substance misuse, gambling support, mental wellbeing, family support, community services or a related field.
You will also demonstrate:
- Willingness to undertake further training
- Experience in dealing with vulnerable people from possible problematic backgrounds
- Ability to work with clients who have complex needs and who may be challenging to work with, and to respond to conflict situations in a calm yet firm manner
- Ability to act as an advocate and liaise with the relevant agencies
- Ability to embrace and implement equality and diversity policy and practice
- Able to overcome obstacles and deliver results through tenacity, persistence and resilience
At Stepping Stone Projects, your work directly contributes to changing lives. You'll be part of a supportive, values-driven organisation where your role has real purpose-helping people move from crisis to stability and independence.
Please note: This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check as part of our safer recruitment process. And also an enhanced Level 1 check to meet the criteria for our information sharing agreement with probation.
Welfare Intervention Officer (Substance Use & Gambling Support) in Bury employer: Stepping Stone Projects
At Stepping Stone Projects, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. Our supportive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, providing employees with opportunities to develop their skills while working towards a common goal of preventing homelessness and promoting independence. Located in the North West, our team enjoys a fulfilling work environment that values compassion, resilience, and the drive to make a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Welfare Intervention Officer (Substance Use & Gambling Support) in Bury
✨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 Stepping Stone Projects.
✨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 Stepping Stone Projects!
✨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 Stepping Stone Projects, 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 Stepping Stone Projects 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 Stepping Stone Projects:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Stepping Stone Projects! 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 Stepping Stone Projects
✨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.
