1,669 Support work jobs

Senior Recovery Worker

SSJ&I Alcohol and Drug Service

Southampton

Full-Time (Flexible working required, including evenings and weekends)

Salary Scale: 27 – 30 (£31,577 - £35,035 per annum)

About Us

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.

The Impact You'll Make

As a Senior Recovery Worker, you will play a vital, multi-functional role combining leadership, direct line management, case management, and specialist practice within our Adult Alcohol and Drug Service.

Working within a multi-agency, trauma-informed, and recovery-oriented framework, you will:

· Lead & Support Staff: Provide direct line management, supervision, and coaching to Recovery Workers, peers, and volunteers.

· Manage a Specialist Caseload: Hold a small, complex caseload, delivering high-quality, person-centred psychosocial interventions (CBT-informed, ACT, motivational approaches) and care planning.

· Champion Harm Reduction & Safeguarding: Oversee risk management, overdose prevention, BBV pathways, and safeguarding across adults and children.

· Drive Partnership Working: Collaborate with health services, criminal justice agencies, homelessness settings, and local multi-agency forums.

· Lead Specialist Practice: Lead on key operational pathways such as Criminal Justice, Homeless Outreach, Harm Reduction, Veterans, or Family Support depending on service needs.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking an experienced, resilient, and compassionate practitioner who thrives in a leadership role while maintaining direct connection to client care. You will be self-reflective, innovative, deeply motivated, and equipped to navigate complex risk, multi-agency dynamics, and challenging behaviours. You will be an approachable leader capable of fostering learning cultures, maintaining clear professional boundaries, and using initiative during unexpected or emergency situations.

Essential Skills and Qualities

· Experience: Significant experience working in substance use, mental health, and with vulnerable or socially excluded populations.

· Leadership & Case Management: Proven background in complex case management, risk assessment, multi-agency working, and staff/volunteer supervision or coaching.

· Subject Knowledge: Deep understanding of harm reduction approaches, recovery models, safeguarding protocols, criminal justice frameworks, and welfare support systems.

· Communication & Boundaries: Excellent relationship-building skills across clients and partner agencies, coupled with a commitment to maintaining strong professional boundaries.

· IT Literacy & Systems: Confident using IT systems, reporting tools (e.g., NDTMS), and electronic case management documentation.

· Flexibility: Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends.

What we can offer you

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

· Blue Light Card

SSJ are an equal opportunity employer and we encourage applicants from all backgrounds and walks of life.

At SSJ, we recognise the benefits of a supported workplace. SSJ is affiliated with Unite the Union. To learn more about their membership benefits or to sign up, you can visit their official website.

Application closing date: Monday 2^nd November 2026 

Due to the high number of expected applicants, we do reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier.

Should you not hear from us within 14 days of the closing date, please assume you have been unsuccessful on this occasion.