At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support staff while managing complex cases in a dynamic recovery environment.
- Company: Join a passionate charity making a real difference in people's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, generous leave, and comprehensive support services.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive workplace that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on vulnerable communities while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance use and mental health, with strong leadership and communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 35035 - 35035 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic Charity and Housing Association. The Society of St James (SSJ) has been working in Hampshire for over 50 years, delivering high impact, person-centred, accommodation services to adults and young people experiencing homelessness, problematic substance use and mental health problems. We believe that every person is of worth and we are prepared to take risks to house and support the most at risk and socially excluded members of society.
The Impact You'll Make
- Lead & Support Staff: Provide direct line management, supervision, and coaching to Recovery Workers, peers, and volunteers.
- Manage a Specialist Caseload: Hold a small, complex caseload, delivering high-quality, person-centred psychosocial interventions (CBT-informed, ACT, motivational approaches) and care planning.
- Champion Harm Reduction & Safeguarding: Oversee risk management, overdose prevention, BBV pathways, and safeguarding across adults and children.
- Drive Partnership Working: Collaborate with health services, criminal justice agencies, homelessness settings, and local multi-agency forums.
- Lead Specialist Practice: Lead on key operational pathways such as Criminal Justice, Homeless Outreach, Harm Reduction, Veterans, or Family Support depending on service needs.
Who We're Looking For
We are seeking an experienced, resilient, and compassionate practitioner who thrives in a leadership role while maintaining direct connection to client care. You will be self-reflective, innovative, deeply motivated, and equipped to navigate complex risk, multi-agency dynamics, and challenging behaviours. You will be an approachable leader capable of fostering learning cultures, maintaining clear professional boundaries, and using initiative during unexpected or emergency situations.
Essential Skills and Qualities
- Experience: Significant experience working in substance use, mental health, and with vulnerable or socially excluded populations.
- Leadership & Case Management: Proven background in complex case management, risk assessment, multi-agency working, and staff/volunteer supervision or coaching.
- Subject Knowledge: Deep understanding of harm reduction approaches, recovery models, safeguarding protocols, criminal justice frameworks, and welfare support systems.
- Communication & Boundaries: Excellent relationship-building skills across clients and partner agencies, coupled with a commitment to maintaining strong professional boundaries.
- IT Literacy & Systems: Confident using IT systems, reporting tools (e.g., NDTMS), and electronic case management documentation.
- Flexibility: Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends.
What we can offer you
We value and recognise our staff, offering some generous benefits, as well as the satisfaction of helping people at risk:
- A competitive annual leave entitlement of 25 days rising to 30 days, plus public holidays.
- Flexible working options.
- Buying additional annual leave.
- Comprehensive induction and training.
- Counselling, financial, personal support and health and wellbeing services via our Employee Assistance Programme.
- Company cycle to work scheme.
- Discounted laptops and computers with Jamie’s Computers.
- Electric Car Scheme.
- Blue Light Card.
SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life. At SSJ, we recognise the benefits of a supported workplace. SSJ is affiliated with Unite the Union. To learn more about their membership benefits or to sign up, you can visit their official website.
Application closing date: Monday 2nd November 2026. Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier. Should you not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.
Senior Recovery Worker in Southampton employer: The Society of St James
The Society of St James (SSJ) is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community, particularly in Hampshire. With over 50 years of experience, SSJ offers a supportive work culture that values its staff as its greatest assets, providing generous benefits such as flexible working options, comprehensive training, and well-being services. Joining SSJ means being part of a dynamic team committed to equal opportunities and making a difference in the lives of those facing homelessness and substance use challenges.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Recovery Worker in Southampton
✨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 Society of St James.
✨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 Society of St James!
✨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 Society of St James, 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 Society of St James 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 Senior Recovery Worker in Southampton
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 Society of St James:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Society of St James! 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 Society of St James
✨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.
