Recovery Worker - Women's Support Centre

Make a meaningful difference with Catalyst and the Women’s Support Centre, helping women across Surrey build safety, recovery and independence through trauma-responsive advocacy.

We’re looking for a compassionate and skilled Recovery Worker to provide high-quality support to women affected by substance use, trauma, multiple disadvantage, and contact with the criminal justice system. Working across Surrey, you will offer one-to-one and group support, manage a caseload, complete risk assessments and safeguarding referrals, and work closely with partner agencies to ensure women receive joined-up, person-centred support.

This is a rewarding opportunity to use your experience in substance use, trauma-informed practice and women-specific provision to support positive change. You’ll be part of a values-led charity with a welcoming, non-judgemental ethos, committed to kindness, integrity and commitment in everything we do.

Location Based at our Women’s Support Centre in Woking and working across Surrey as required

Salary £31,130

Work Pattern 35 hours across Monday – Friday

Contract Permanent

About Catalyst Support

Though Community, Specialist and Outreach services, we support recovery, mental health and wellbeing – together every step of the way.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide high-quality, trauma-responsive advocacy and support to women in contact with, or at risk of being in contact with the criminal justice system with a specific focus on Substance Use and Trauma. 
• Design, coordinate and deliver one to one and group interventions to assist women to achieve their goals.  
• Complete safeguarding referrals where appropriate and support women’s safety through involving them in the safeguarding process. 
• Take a collaborative multi-agency approach to supporting women, including representing and supporting women at multi-agency meetings. 
• Involve women in the design and delivery of interventions, ensuring that they are at the heart of the work at all times. 
• Undertake all aspects of case management and recording including developing and documenting individual support plans with women.   
• Work in line with Data Protection legislation, maintaining confidential service-user records of interventions and contact details.
• Complete client work in line with the Women’s Support Centre’s core values.
• Ensure women are supported to achieve independence though structured intervention planning and strengths-based support and appropriate onward referrals.
• Support in the collation and production of reports as requested, including ensuring that appropriate recording, monitoring and evaluation of work is completed to set deadlines. 
• Develop and utilise a variety of strategies to communicate effectively with women using our services, colleagues, external organisations, stakeholders and the general public.
• Be responsible for establishing and maintaining professional relationships internally and with other relevant statutory and voluntary sector agencies.
• Develop educational materials to support women and external partners to better understand Substance Use. 
• Attend and prepare for regular line management meetings, including performance development reviews. 
• Attend regular clinical supervision. 
• Take responsibility for self-care and managing vicarious trauma, promoting the importance of self-care both internally and externally. 
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge and awareness of developments in relevant public policy and legislation by attending relevant training courses, meetings and conferences.   
• Maintain and improve competencies through continuous professional development. 
• Abide by all organisational policies, codes of conduct and practices. 
• Support and promote inclusion, diversity and equality of opportunity in the workplace. 
• Treat with confidentiality any personal, private or sensitive information about individual organisations, clients, staff and project data. 

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has significant experience supporting women affected by substance use, trauma and multiple disadvantage.
• Understands the impact of trauma, offending, homelessness, mental health needs and contact with the criminal justice system.
• Can work in a trauma-informed, strengths-based and non-judgemental way.
• Is confident engaging, motivating and advocating for women with complex and intersecting needs.
• Has up-to-date safeguarding knowledge and can respond calmly and appropriately to risk.
• Can manage a caseload, prioritise workload and keep accurate, factual case records.
• Communicates clearly with clients, colleagues, partner agencies and stakeholders.
• Works well independently and as part of a flexible, supportive team.
• Is passionate about women-specific provision, social justice, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Is resilient, reflective and committed to ongoing learning, self-care and professional development.
• Is able to travel across Surrey for outreach appointments and partnership meetings.

Benefits 

• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays (increasing with service)
• Pension scheme and access to Simply Health (including optical, dental and counselling sessions)
• Birthday leave, employee discounts, and flexible working wherever possible
• Supportive probation, sick pay after probation and access to our employee assistance programme

Safeguarding & Checks

Please note past drug and/or alcohol or criminality history will not necessarily discount you from undertaking this role. We encourage applications from people with lived experience where appropriate

All applicants must have a valid right to work in the UK

Catalyst Support is an equal opportunities employer. We celebrate difference and are committed to fairness, accessibility, and inclusion throughout recruitment and employment. Please let us know if you require any adjustments to support your application.  

Please note, this post is open to female applicants only – Equality Act 2010, Schedule 9, Part 1 applies.