At a Glance
- Tasks: Help people make positive changes through structured group programmes and one-to-one support.
- Company: Join a respected charity transforming lives for over 40 years.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, health scheme, and tailored training opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive, inclusive team during an exciting period of growth.
- Why this job: Make a lasting impact on individuals and communities while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse and relevant qualifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 26682 - 32559 £ per year.
Make a Difference. Build Your Career. Join Aspire. Are you passionate about helping people make positive, lasting changes in their lives? At Alcohol & Drug Service (ADS), we’ve been transforming lives for more than 40 years. As a respected registered charity, we support individuals, families and communities affected by problematic drug and alcohol use — helping people move towards lasting recovery, greater independence and brighter futures.
Now is an exciting time to join us. Aspire is a long-standing partnership between Alcohol & Drug Service (ADS) and Rotherham, Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust (RDaSH), bringing together more than 20 years of combined expertise in delivering high-quality drug and alcohol services across local communities. By combining RDaSH’s clinical leadership and specialist NHS expertise with ADS’s strong community focus, Aspire provides innovative, flexible and genuinely person-centred support.
For our teams, this means being part of a collaborative service where your ideas, expertise and contribution can make a real difference. With significant investment currently creating new opportunities across the substance misuse sector, there has never been a more exciting time to develop your career, broaden your skills and be part of positive change.
We’re looking for a motivated and compassionate professional to join our Groupwork Team. Our team delivers structured, evidence-based group programmes alongside one-to-one interventions across a variety of settings. We work flexibly, delivering sessions both face-to-face and virtually, so that people can access the right support in the right way. You’ll help people develop the skills, confidence and resilience they need to make sustainable changes and work towards long-term recovery.
Our programmes draw on recognised models of behavioural change and recovery, while our work extends beyond individual interventions. We also work closely with local communities to strengthen recovery networks and build meaningful, ongoing support. You’ll also have the opportunity to contribute to our accredited mentor programme, supporting people who want to volunteer and use their own experiences to help others on their recovery journey. This is a role where what you do can have a lasting impact — on individuals, families and the wider community.
We’re looking for someone who is passionate about supporting people and who can bring experience, empathy and a commitment to recovery. You’ll ideally have:
- Experience of working within the substance misuse field.
- A relevant degree, such as Psychology, Sociology or Social Work, or a Diploma in Health & Social Care (or equivalent).
- A Level 3 qualification in Tackling Substance Misuse (or equivalent).
- Experience of delivering groupwork programmes is desirable.
We’re committed to helping you grow. You’ll have access to a comprehensive programme of accredited training and development opportunities, helping you build your expertise and progress your career. Newly qualified Social Workers will also receive support through the ASYE programme.
If you’d like to find out more about the role or what it’s like to work with us, we’d love to hear from you. For an informal discussion, please contact Dave Clogg or Eve Crosby on 0300 021 3900.
We want our people to feel valued, supported and able to develop — because when our staff thrive, the people we support benefit too. As part of ADS, you’ll receive:
- Competitive salary: £26,682 – £32,559, depending on experience.
- Generous annual leave: 29 days, rising to 31 days after 2 years’ service and 34 days after 5 years’ service, plus public holidays.
- Attractive pension package: 6% employer contribution.
- Health scheme.
- Tailored learning and development opportunities.
- Enhanced sick pay.
- A supportive, inclusive and collaborative working environment.
About ADS: For over 30 years, we have delivered effective interventions in towns and cities. We’ve helped thousands of local people on the road to recovery, across Humberside, Lincolnshire and Yorkshire, as we help the national strategy on a local basis. The Alcohol & Drug Service is a charity (Registered Charity 1108595; and a Company Limited by Guarantee, Company No. 05375809). The majority of our funding comes through contracts with statutory commissioners such as Local Authorities and the NHS, but we receive valuable income from charitable grants and individual fundraising efforts which supports many of our most innovative services. We are governed by a Board of Trustees.
We ensure that the organisation is run well and we are a part of the Investors in People scheme, a quality framework which is independently audited. We currently hold the Silver award. But, even though we’ve been transforming the lives of people affected by drugs or alcohol misuse for over 30 years, some people may not have heard of us. This is because we always work in partnership – and often deliver our services and projects which have their own names/identities.
Our Values: We believe that honesty underpins all that we do. We seek to improve our services and in order to identify lessons we must be honest with ourselves regarding our performance. We believe that trust is the foundation of an effective partnership approach and that partnership is the defining characteristic of our relationship with service users, employees and those who purchase services from us. We believe that there is strength in diversity and that through embracing diversity new solutions and innovations are born. We believe that in order to encourage diversity fairness, a non-judgemental approach and transparency are vital. We believe that our sole raison d’être is to deliver effective services to service users and carers. We believe that no two people are the same, as a result personalised solutions are required and to achieve this people must be treated as individuals and services must be flexible in meeting their needs. We believe that with the right support service users are able to identify and implement changes which will enhance their lives. We believe that evidence based services that are continuously developing in the light of experience produce the most effective outcomes for service users. We believe that the effective use of resources and a value for money approach will maximise the number of service users we are able to support. We believe that the best services are delivered by people who care about what they do. We believe that hope and belief are nurtured in others when they encounter people who care.
Groupwork Practitioner in Doncaster employer: The Alcohol and Drug Service
The Alcohol And Drug Service (ADS) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the wellbeing and professional growth of its staff. Located in the vibrant community of Doncaster, we offer a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and innovation, alongside opportunities for continuous development in the field of substance misuse recovery. Join us to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a fulfilling career in a compassionate environment.
Contact Details:
The Alcohol and Drug Service Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Groupwork Practitioner in Doncaster
✨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 The Alcohol and Drug Service.
✨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 The Alcohol and Drug Service!
✨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 The Alcohol and Drug Service, 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 The Alcohol and Drug Service 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 Groupwork Practitioner in Doncaster
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 The Alcohol and Drug Service:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Alcohol and Drug Service! 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 The Alcohol and Drug Service
✨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.
