At a Glance
- Tasks: Connect with individuals facing homelessness and provide tailored recovery support.
- Company: Join WithYou, a compassionate organisation transforming lives across England and Scotland.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £26,250, rising to £30,900, plus professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Fixed-term contract until March 2029, with a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while gaining valuable experience in outreach work.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and understanding of substance misuse and mental health challenges.
The predicted salary is between 26250 - 26250 £ per year.
Join us as a Recovery Worker in Bournemouth. We are recruiting for a full‑time (37.5 hours) Recovery Worker to join our Outreach team, providing high quality recovery care to a diverse service user group. If you are enthusiastic, creative and passionate about changing people’s lives for the better, we would love to hear from you.
WithYou provides free and confidential support, without judgement, to more than 100,000 people each year who experience challenges with drugs, alcohol and mental health across England and Scotland. We offer a starting salary of £26,250 per annum, rising each year in line with our pay progression salary bands up to £30,900 per annum. The closing date for applications is 23 June 2026. A cover letter and CV are required. Applications will not be accepted without a cover letter. This is a fixed‑term contract until 02 March 2029. Working 37.5 hours per week, 09:00–17:00, Monday–Friday, with occasional evening work.
Main duties of the job
- Assertive Outreach: Actively connecting with individuals experiencing homelessness across the BCP area.
- Community drop‑ins & groups: Running engaging sessions in multiple locations.
- Personalised case management: Providing tailored support from initial contact to long‑term stability.
- Harm reduction: Implementing strategies to minimise risks and promote healthier choices.
- Rapid prescribing access: Guiding individuals to essential services.
- Bespoke psychological & social interventions (PSI): Delivering targeted support.
- Multi‑agency collaboration: Working with partners to ensure integrated care.
- Pre‑treatment & ongoing support: Assisting before treatment, including access to inpatient detox and rehabilitation services.
- Timely & effective interventions: Delivering the right support at the right time.
The successful candidate will be compassionate, proactive, confident in partnership working, with a strong understanding of substance misuse and mental health challenges.
Person specification
- Excellent communication, organisational and time‑management skills.
- Building effective links with PCNs, CMHTs, Access Wellbeing Hubs, Interface Meetings and Steps 2 Wellbeing services.
- Support clients to attend appointments and advocate with partner agencies.
- Provide outreach support and attend multi‑agency meetings to coordinate care.
- Offer low‑level emotional wellbeing support, including around anxiety, depression and neurodiversity.
- Support clients to engage with external mental health services and improve access to appropriate care pathways.
- Help engage individuals with mental health needs into the treatment system and reduce barriers to support.
- Possess a UK driving licence and access to a vehicle.
- Ideally, have previous experience volunteering or working with people who misuse substances. Lived experience is welcomed.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and requires a submission to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly CRB).
Outreach Recovery Worker, Bournemouth Ref: 0140ZS employer: We Are With You
WithYou is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. Located in Bournemouth, our supportive work culture fosters creativity and collaboration, allowing Outreach Recovery Workers to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals facing challenges with substance misuse and mental health. We offer competitive salaries, ongoing training opportunities, and a commitment to providing high-quality recovery care, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about helping others.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Recovery Worker, Bournemouth Ref: 0140ZS
✨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 We Are With You.
✨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 We Are With You!
✨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 We Are With You, 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 We Are With You 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 Outreach Recovery Worker, Bournemouth Ref: 0140ZS
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 We Are With You:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to We Are With You! 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 We Are With You
✨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.
