North East Recovery Navigator - Newham, Redbridge & Waltham Forest, Barking, Dagenham & Havering - On-Site

We’re looking for a Recovery Navigator to join Forward Trust’s Dependency and Recovery Services. This is a frontline role working within probation delivery units across East London (Newham, Redbridge & Waltham Forest, Barking, Dagenham & Havering), bridging the gap between probation services and substance misuse treatment. You’ll carry a diverse caseload of men on probation including prison leavers and those on community orders supporting them to engage in recovery, reduce reoffending, and build more stable lives.

The role involves:

• Completing comprehensive assessments and creating collaborative SMART action plans.
• Delivering 1:1 and group interventions, both in-person and virtually, to empower individuals on their recovery journey.
• Providing practical support and advocacy – from attending appointments to helping with referrals and making calls on behalf of clients.
• Offering clear advice and information in accessible ways to enable informed choices.
• Supporting individuals with varying complexity of needs – from highly motivated clients maintaining recovery to those with dual diagnosis and low engagement.
• Building strong partnerships with probation staff, treatment providers and other agencies to ensure continuity of care.
• Maintaining accurate and timely case records, ensuring all work aligns with commissioner targets.
• Some Recovery Navigators will also have the opportunity to develop as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in specific areas such as BAME communities or chemsex support, providing expertise to the wider team.

This role is predominately Monday–Friday, 9–5, though some flexibility may be required to meet client needs. Occasional travel to Forward Trust’s head office may be needed for training or support.

What We’re Looking For:

• Strong experience in the substance misuse field, or significant experience working in a related support role.
• Proven ability to manage high caseloads, carrying out comprehensive risk assessments and SMART action plans.
• Experience delivering 1:1 and group interventions using motivational and trauma-informed approaches.
• Experience of working with treatment and/or healthcare services.
• Ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries.
• Excellent communication skills with people from a wide range of backgrounds, delivered with sensitivity and professionalism.
• Experience working in partnership with probation, criminal justice or other statutory agencies.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise workload and meet targets.
• Knowledge and understanding of continuity of care, holistic recovery needs, and community support services.
• A commitment to equality, diversity, confidentiality, GDPR, and safeguarding best practice.

About Us:

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. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important.

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)

Diversity at Forward Trust:

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.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work:

We recognise the importance of safeguarding, 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.