Recovery Worker - Ashford in Kent

In this role, you will work within an integrated healthcare framework to support adults experiencing drug and alcohol dependency. You will deliver high-quality, client-centred psychosocial interventions, using both harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches tailored to individual needs. You will manage a caseload of service users, carrying out comprehensive assessments, developing SMART care plans, and delivering structured one-to-one and group interventions. Your work will focus on supporting individuals through their recovery journey, improving outcomes, and promoting long-term positive change.

A key aspect of the role is working collaboratively with a wide range of partner agencies, including housing, employment services, healthcare providers, probation services, and community rehabilitation companies. This integrated approach ensures continuity of care and supports service users in addressing the wider factors affecting their recovery. You will also contribute to achieving organisational and commissioner targets, including measuring and evidencing successful outcomes. Maintaining accurate records, using IT systems effectively, and building strong multi-agency relationships will be essential. Flexibility is important in this role, as you may be required to work evenings or weekends and travel to different service locations to ensure continuity of care for service users.

You are a committed and empathetic professional with experience in substance misuse services and a strong understanding of the challenges faced by individuals affected by drug and alcohol dependency. You have experience conducting comprehensive assessments, managing risk, and developing and implementing SMART care plans. You are confident in delivering structured interventions, both one-to-one and in group settings, and are skilled in using motivational interviewing techniques to support behaviour change. You understand the importance of holistic, person-centred care and are able to work effectively with partner agencies to support recovery outcomes. You are knowledgeable about safeguarding, equality and diversity, and the wider recovery agenda. You have strong IT and organisational skills, with the ability to manage a caseload, maintain accurate records, and meet performance targets. You are a strong communicator who can build trust and rapport with a diverse range of service users.

Ideally, you will have a Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equivalent), along with additional knowledge of the 12-step recovery model, community support services, and the criminal justice sector. Experience in prison or community settings, or lived experience of recovery (with appropriate time in sustained recovery), would be advantageous. You are motivated, flexible, and passionate about supporting individuals to make meaningful and lasting changes in their lives.

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community. We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity.

Joining us as an employee, we will offer you the following benefits:

• Flexible working
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness. When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here. We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.

Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview. If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.