Young Adult Substance Use Recovery Worker (18-24)

Young Adult Substance Use Recovery Worker (18-24)

Full-Time 31500 - 38500 £ / year (est.) On-site
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support young adults in making positive changes to their substance use and recovery goals.
  • Company: Join the Society of St James, a dynamic charity with over 50 years of impactful service.
  • Benefits: Enjoy generous annual leave, flexible working, and comprehensive support services.
  • Other info: Collaborative environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing vital recovery pathways.
  • Qualifications: Experience with young adults and understanding of substance use and mental health.

The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.

Join our expanding young people's offer as one of a team of two Young Persons Recovery Workers.

You will support young adults aged 18-24 to make positive changes to their drug or alcohol use, reduce harm and work towards the recovery goals that matter to them.

You will co-locate at DASS three days per week and spend the remaining two days at the Recovery Hub or working in the community.

You will work closely with DASS and other partners while remaining part of the wider Recovery Hub team, with access to shared learning, supervision and support.

This is an opportunity to help develop the young people's substance use offer across Portsmouth.

A particular focus will be raising awareness of ketamine use and its associated harms, engaging young adults who use ketamine, and helping develop ketamine support and recovery pathways alongside colleagues, partner agencies and young adults themselves.

Alongside this development work, you will manage a caseload of young adults with a range of substance use needs, provide individual support and appropriate group work, and use flexible outreach to help people access and remain engaged with support.

We are looking for someone who is compassionate, trauma-informed, creative and proactive, and who can work independently and collaboratively.

You will understand safeguarding, professional boundaries and safe community working, and be keen to contribute ideas to the development of the service.

Monday - Thursday 9.00am - 17.00pm, Friday 9.00am - 16.30pm including evenings and occasional weekends.

Experience of working with young adults aged 18-24 and an understanding of substance use, mental health and barriers to accessing support.

Ability to build trusting relationships, assess needs and risks, develop recovery plans and manage a caseload safely and effectively.

Understanding of safeguarding, trauma-informed practice, professional boundaries and safe community and lone working.

Creativity and willingness to contribute to developing the city's young people's offer, using young adults' feedback.

Knowledge of ketamine use and associated harms, or a willingness to develop this through training and practice.

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.

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
  • Sunday 1st November
  • #J-18808-Ljbffr

Young Adult Substance Use Recovery Worker (18-24) 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.

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Contact Details:

The Society of St James Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Young Adult Substance Use Recovery Worker (18-24)

✨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 Young Adult Substance Use Recovery Worker (18-24)

Communication Skills
Flexibility
Teamwork
Compassion
Problem-Solving Skills
Time Management
Adaptability

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.