Recovery Sustainment Worker

Mission and values The Good Shepherd supports disadvantaged people in Wolverhampton to end homelessness, recover, build independence and move out of poverty. We provide food, practical help, one-to-one and group support, accommodation support, training and pathways into employment. Our core values are hospitality, compassion, and respect. We recognise each person's dignity and potential for growth, and we deliver services in a person-centred way.

Role Summary The Recovery Sustainment Worker will provide person-centred recovery and tenancy support within WHIRS, a partnership between Good Shepherd and Recovery Near You for people rough sleeping, recently housed or at risk of returning to rough sleeping. The role helps people build recovery capital, sustain accommodation, reduce relapse and homelessness, access treatment and health support, and move safely into wider recovery and mainstream pathways.

Active Engagement & Outreach Adopt an active engagement approach, taking responsibility for building trust and meaningful contact with people who may find it difficult to engage with services. Meet people where they are, including Good Shepherd, street outreach, hostel and supported accommodation settings, community locations, primary care sites and partner venues. Work alongside Good Shepherd, P3, Changing Lives, Recovery Near You, CWC homelessness services and other outreach partners to identify people who need sustained recovery and tenancy support.

Respond flexibly to local intelligence and multi-agency requests to target support where it is most needed. Recovery Planning & Sustainment Support Complete person-centred recovery plans that identify goals, strengths, risks, barriers, protective factors and the support needed to maintain progress. Support individuals to build recovery capital by connecting them with LERO activities, groupwork, peer support, mutual aid and meaningful community opportunities.

Provide practical and emotional support that helps people maintain motivation, manage setbacks and continue moving forward on their recovery journey. Work with peer mentors and people with lived experience to provide visible recovery, encouragement and practical support. Tenancy Sustainment & Homelessness Prevention Provide targeted support to people with recent or historical rough sleeping who are at risk of losing accommodation or returning to street activity.

Support people to sustain accommodation by addressing risks linked to relapse, isolation, poor health, anti-social behaviour, begging, rent issues, appointments and daily living skills. Coordinate practical support with housing providers, homelessness services and partner agencies to reduce repeat homelessness and promote stability. Promote routines, safety planning, positive relationships and meaningful activity that reduce the likelihood of tenancy breakdown. Treatment, Harm Reduction & Health Pathway Support Work with clinical and recovery colleagues to support rapid access to treatment, including OST, alcohol support, psychosocial interventions and harm reduction activity.

Support people to attend appointments, engage with health checks, BBV testing, vaccinations, needle exchange, naloxone / overdose prevention and safer using advice where appropriate. Help individuals understand and follow treatment, recovery and health plans, supporting re-engagement where appointments are missed or motivation drops. Promote the principle that good harm reduction includes recovery, using a balanced, pragmatic and recovery-focused approach. Transition & Continuity of Care Provide ongoing support to individuals moving from intensive WHIRS support into the Recovery Near You pathway, mainstream services or other community-based recovery support.

Plan transitions carefully with the person and relevant partners so that support does not feel fragmented or withdrawn too quickly. Maintain contact during key transition points, including move-on from rough sleeping, treatment stabilisation, accommodation changes, discharge planning and pathway handovers. Work with partner agencies to ensure clear communication, warm handovers and continuity of care. Risk Management, Safeguarding & Trauma-Informed Practice Complete and contribute to assessments, risk assessments, safety plans, recovery plans and risk management plans in line with Good Shepherd procedures.

Work in a trauma-informed and trauma-responsive way, recognising the impact of homelessness, addiction, poor health, exploitation,…