At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing drug, alcohol, and mental health challenges in a compassionate environment.
- Company: Join a leading charity making a real difference across England and Scotland.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and a supportive team culture.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact on people's lives while developing your skills in social care.
- Qualifications: Experience in health or social care, with a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 26250 - 30900 £ per year.
Join our team as a Recovery Worker in Redcar and Cleveland. As a leading charity supporting people with drug, alcohol, and mental health challenges, we operate over 80 services across England and Scotland, providing free and confidential support to more than 100,000 people each year. WithYou in Redcar and Cleveland is a free and confidential service for people affected by drugs and alcohol. The service is part of the THRIVE partnership, an integrated substance use, domestic abuse and education/recovery support service.
If you have experience supporting people with drug and/or alcohol problems, have a compassionate nature and a genuine desire to help others, you could be just what we're looking for. Closing date: 4th August 2026. Please note this role may close earlier than the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. All applicants must submit a CV along with a cover letter explaining why they should be considered for this role. Applications will not be accepted without a cover letter.
As a Recovery Worker you will be providing support and advice to people who are experiencing difficulties due to substance misuse and domestic abuse. You will have the opportunity to complete training in both areas, and strengthen your knowledge of these key strands of our service. You will have your own caseload, working as part of our team and alongside other social care services to identify how we can help. You will develop plans with your clients to help them get their lives back to where they want them to be.
In this role you will predominantly be based in the social care buildings, helping to screen referrals and support families who are working with children's social care teams. You will work as part of a team with the aims of:
- keeping them safe
- creating a plan they can achieve with your support
- checking in with them and reviewing their progress
- keeping accurate and timely records of your contact with them
- working effectively with other social care providers e.g. Housing, to cover all aspects of their successful recovery
- continuously learning and reflecting to improve the outcomes for your clients
- supporting your colleagues across the service to deliver excellent care
This is a full-time role (37.5 hours per week) offered on a fixed‑term contract until March 2027. There is the possibility of an extension for up to a further two years, subject to continued funding. As a Recovery Worker, we offer a starting salary of £26,250, rising each year in line with our pay progression salary bands, to £30,900 per year.
We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated individual, with an exceptional ability to build meaningful relationships. You will have demonstrable experience working within the health, social care, criminal justice or other specialist setting, or a clear motivation for wanting to work in the drug and alcohol sector. You will be highly organised, have excellent communication skills, and be able to manage your time effectively. You will work collaboratively as part of a team to ensure a high‑quality service is maintained. Above all, we are looking for someone who is passionate about what we do and has a positive and engaging approach to our clients and key stakeholders.
Requirements:
- Have attained ONC/NVQ level 3 or be willing to achieve this within 12 months
- Have demonstrable experience of working or volunteering in health, social care, criminal justice, or other specialist setting
- Have the ability to build and maintain effective relationships with clients and colleagues alike
- Be able to work effectively in a team, supporting others when needed
- Be resilient under pressure and able to prioritise your work
- Have good oral and written communication skills
About Company: WithYou provides free and confidential support, without judgement, to more than 100,000 people every year experiencing challenges with drugs, alcohol and mental health across England and Scotland. Our name reflects who we are – a positive place where people can progress, connect with others and get friendly, expert help in a way that’s right for them. Our staff team changes lives. If you’re passionate about helping people get the support they need for issues with drugs, alcohol and mental health, we’d love to hear from you.
DE&I: As an organisation, we continue to build an inclusive culture that encourages, supports and celebrates the diverse voices and experiences of our staff. We know that representing the communities we serve is key to us meeting our vision of a future where everyone lives a life free from the harm associated with drugs and alcohol. We welcome the unique contributions that you can bring and we encourage people from underrepresented communities and backgrounds to apply to join our team, including people with lived experience, people with disabilities, people from racialised communities, LGBTQ+ people, people of all ages and armed forces veterans.
As part of our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant we provide a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates that are veterans and meet all the essential criteria for a role. With You is also a Disability Confident Employer and we offer a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with a disability and meet all the essential criteria for a role. If you have a disability, a learning difficulty such as dyslexia or a medical condition which you believe may affect your performance during any aspect of our selection process, we’ll be happy to make reasonable adjustments to enable you to perform at your best.
Please note that you will be required to provide 3 years worth of references and where applicable, undergo an enhanced DBS check, to be considered for a role at WithYou.
Benefits:
- 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- An extra day off for your birthday or a special occasion of your choice
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- 2 days paid volunteer leave per year
- Auto‑enrollment into We Are With You’s pension scheme
- Access to a Blue Light Card - giving you great savings on big high‑street and online brands
- Flexible working opportunities and access to a range of services and resources to support you with your wellbeing
- We have an excellent Refer a Friend scheme which offers you a £500 bonus for any recommendations, any role!
Please note, the Refer a Friend scheme is only applicable once your recommended friend has been employed for 6 months.
Recovery Worker - Social Care (Fixed Term) employer: WithYou
WithYou in Preston is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community by providing vital support for individuals facing mental health and addiction challenges. Our inclusive work culture fosters collaboration and personal growth, offering employees opportunities for professional development and training in a supportive environment. Join us to be part of a passionate team that values your contributions and prioritises employee well-being while making a difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recovery Worker - Social Care (Fixed Term)
✨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 WithYou.
✨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 WithYou!
✨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 WithYou, 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 WithYou 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 Recovery Worker - Social Care (Fixed Term)
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 WithYou:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to WithYou! 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 WithYou
✨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.
