Substance Misuse Support Worker; AWDO-P15116

Substance Misuse Support Worker

Make a difference by supporting women with complex needs to manage substance misuse, engage in recovery and build safer, healthier futures. This role is officially known as a Criminal Justice Substance Misuse Worker.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you:
Substance Misuse Worker, Recovery Worker, Drug and Alcohol Worker, Addiction Support Worker, Criminal Justice Worker, Residential Support Worker, Complex Needs Worker, Women’s Support Worker, Key Worker

Occupational Requirement:
Applications can only be accepted from women candidates due to the gender-specific nature of the role. This includes all women whose legal gender is female, including those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010

SALARY: circa £31,000 per annum

LOCATION:

Bristol, South West England

JOB TYPE:
Full-Time, Permanent

WORKING HOURS:

37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

This is a rewarding opportunity to support women through recovery, resettlement and positive behavioural change within a residential criminal justice setting.

Working as the Substance Misuse Support Worker, you will manage a caseload and provide tailored one-to-one support, groupwork, purposeful activities and partnership-led interventions.

As the Substance Misuse Support Worker, you will help residents understand and manage addiction, engage with recovery services, reduce risks and build healthier coping strategies.

The Substance Misuse Support Worker will also work closely with colleagues, Probation, MAPPA and specialist services to support safe move-on, community reintegration and reduced reoffending.

Your duties as the Substance Misuse Support Worker include:

• Assessment and Planning:
  Complete initial substance misuse assessments and develop individualised support and engagement plans
• Motivational Support:
  Provide ongoing guidance and interventions that sustain engagement and encourage positive behavioural change
• Recovery Interventions:
  Deliver one-to-one and group sessions covering harm minimisation, recovery support, relapse prevention and CBT-informed approaches
• Service Referrals:
  Support residents to access peer-led recovery networks, clinical and non-clinical services and wider community support
• Partnership Working:
  Build effective links with substance misuse, health, mental health, community, Probation, MAPPA and specialist agencies
• Risk and Safeguarding:
  Identify, manage and elevate risks, including safeguarding concerns relating to residents, children and vulnerable adults
• Purposeful
  
  Activities:
  
  Design, lead and participate in activities that reduce barriers, support employment access and promote successful resettlement
• Records and Outcomes:
  Maintain accurate records, assessments, support plans and case notes while contributing to performance and contractual outcomes
• Learning and Practice:
  Share knowledge, good practice and ideas with colleagues, mentors and partner agencies

• Applications can only be accepted from women candidates due to the gender-specific nature of the role. This includes all women whose legal gender is female, including those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010
• Experience of working with people affected by substance misuse, mental health difficulties or multiple and complex needs
• Experience of using motivational approaches to engage individuals and support positive change
• Knowledge of harm minimisation, recovery approaches, Naloxone, CBT or DBT principles and trauma-informed practice
• Understanding of resettlement, behavioural change and desistance approaches to reducing reoffending
• Ability to deliver effective one-to-one and group interventions
• Strong communication, organisation, time-management and IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams
• Ability to manage risk, recognise safeguarding concerns and maintain professional boundaries
• Proactive, solution-focused approach with the ability to work…