Substance misuse jobs

Job Title: Support worker

Location: London Borough of Tower Hamlets

Salary: £30,784.00 per annum 

Hours: Hours: 40 hours per week, including weekends

Contract: Permanent

PRHA is a great place to work – Our award-winning teams work together to improve the lives of our residents and make a real contribution to ending homelessness. As an IIP Gold standard employer, we value our staff and commit to develop their skills and support them in their important work.

We have an exciting opportunity for Support Workers within two of our specialist services. We are looking for self-starters with a passion for sparking change in people’s lives. You will have the necessary skillset to empower people and support residents to achieve their goals.

PRHA hostels guarantee a fast-paced, challenging and dynamic environment where no two days are ever the same. We are seeking motivated and energetic individuals to join our teams and help our residents to change their lives for the better.

We are looking for:

Competencies

• Knowledge, empathy, understanding and proven ability to work creatively and engage homeless people whose alcohol/ drug misuse/ mental health/ complex trauma has had significant effect on their physical and mental health, social and coping skills .
• Ability to assess needs, risks (within a framework of positive risk taking) and develop user led support plans.
• Awareness of and ability to identify and address health and care issues with partners, especially substance misuse, mental health, dementia etc.
• Ability to respond to challenging behaviour in a safe way.
• Ability to develop successful professional relationships, working collaboratively with external and internal partners , sharing expertise and learning from colleagues in health, social care,probation and voluntary sector etc
• Knowledge of and commitment to service user involvement, self empowerment, equalities, diversity andservice improvement
• Basic understanding of the principals of delivering support within a Psychologically Informed Environment (PIE) and commitment to working within this model
• Robust knowledge and practical application of adult safeguarding requirements.
• Knowledge and understanding of Healthand Safety in a hostel setting, including dealing with emergencies and working alone.
• A good listener and communicator at all levels, including people with communication difficulties
• A good standard of literacy, numeracy, computer skills and the ability to write accurate and succinct reports.
• Proven ability both to work within a team and use initiative to problem solve.
• Excellent time management skills
• Willingness and ability to support personal care where the service user is at risk
• Ability to implement policies and procedures,standing orders and financial regulations

What we offer

We offer our staff a generous benefits package, which includes:

• Pension Scheme – We offer a group stakeholder pension scheme with 3% employer's contribution, employee contribution is 5%
• Holidays - Employees receive up to 22 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising with long service
• Medical – we provide a “Cash Back" Scheme for a range of services such as dental, physio, chiropody, health& wellbeing
• Training Programmes – We provide comprehensive training to our employees to enable them to grow in their career and achieve their professional aspirations.
• Season Ticket Loans – We offer interest-free season ticket loans after successful probation
• Life Assurance - Upon death whilst in service, a Death in Service payment may be made according to the scheme rules. The payment covers 3 times of the employee’s annual salary.

How to apply

Please read the full Job Description & Person Specification which can be found on our website. To apply, please send your CV and Supporting Statement outlining your interest in working for PRHA and explaining how you meet the criteria set out in the Job Description & Person Specification. Please send your CV and Supporting Statement by clicking the Apply Now button. Furthermore, applications with no attached personal statement explaining how you meet the job description will not be considered.

It is required for this post that the successful candidates will have to complete an enhanced DBS disclosure check.

About the role:

At Single Homeless Project (SHP), we’re driven by the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home and the chance to build a life that feels fulfilling and hopeful. In our Hammersmith and Fulham service, we provide that opportunity through one high-support hostel and two medium-support hostels, where 24 Londoners are rebuilding their lives while managing their mental health and other complex challenges such as substance use or past offending. This is a place where progress is measured not just in milestones but in moments of courage, connection and growth - and where your work has the power to change the direction of someone’s story.

As a Project Worker, you’ll play a leading role in helping clients understand and manage their emotional and mental health needs, while developing the confidence and skills to live independently. Through meaningful one-to-one work, you’ll carry out detailed needs and risk assessments, identify achievable short-term goals, and help clients strengthen relationships, expand social networks and access training, education or employment. Every day will bring new opportunities to inspire change - whether supporting a resident to manage a difficult day, celebrating progress towards recovery or working alongside a dedicated team to keep our 24-hour service running smoothly, including on weekends.

This is more than a job, it’s a chance to grow your career in a place that values your ideas, invests in your development and champions innovation in homelessness support. At SHP, you’ll be part of a tenacious, forward-thinking team determined to do what works, to go further, and to make London a place where everyone can thrive.

Please note that this role involves shift work, including a combination of early shifts (8:00 AM – 3:30 PM) and late shifts (2:30 PM – 10:00 PM), with shifts scheduled every other weekend.

About you:

• You bring real experience of working alongside people facing mental health challenges and complex needs, and you see their strengths long before their struggles.
• You understand mental health legislation and safeguarding, using that knowledge not just to protect, but to empower.
• You know how to get to the heart of someone’s needs, assess risk with confidence, and build action plans that lead to real change.
• You’re switched on to what it takes to work in a busy residential service, from managing tenancies to making sure everyone feels at home.
• You believe recovery is always possible - you know how to spark motivation, nurture independence and help people move towards the lives they want.
• You thrive on collaboration, working hand-in-hand with partners like community mental health and substance use services to make progress that lasts.

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing Date: Sunday 26th April at midnight 

Interview Date: Thursday 7th or Friday 8th May at our service in Hammersmith & Fulham

Please note shortlisted candidates will be required to complete a short psychometric test before being confirmed for interview. 

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant. 

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications requiring sponsorship or with insufficient right to work will not be accepted or progressed.

Join a team that's making a real difference.

Adfam is the leading national charity tackling the effects of alcohol, drug use or gambling on family members and friends. We improve life for thousands of people. One way we do this is by empowering families and friends to get the support they need.

We want anyone affected by someone else's drug or alcohol use or gambling problem to have the chance to benefit from healthy relationships, be part of a loving and supportive family and enjoy mental and physical wellbeing.

This role offers the opportunity to be part of a successful national remote service, offering support via the phone or Zoom to affected adults in the UK. We are looking to recruit experienced Family Support professionals to provide these virtual support sessions to individual family members and sometimes groups. We are offering a number of roles at 15-20 hours per week, across 3-5 days, including Wednesday and at least 2 evenings per week (Mon-Wed).

Experience in supporting family members affected by someone else’s substance use is essential, as is experience with assessing and managing risk. Ideally, you would also have experience of working to support parents with their parenting and / or those experiencing domestic abuse. We offer fixed hours part time contracts within a friendly and supportive team. Whilst based at home and requiring the ability to work autonomously, Adfam prides ourselves on our supportive team ethos and working culture. 

• Salary: £30,000 pro rata
• 6.5% contributory pension scheme
• Contract: One year with likely extension

This is a remote working position based at home.

Please note, although counselling skills and qualifications are welcome and valuable as part of a skillset for this role, these are not counselling roles. This is professional support work and requires additional experience or skills in substance use, social work, complex family work or a related field. The role requires directive and facilitative guidance and input. If you are a counsellor looking for typical counselling work, please do not apply for this role. Thank you.

Closing date: Sunday 19th April

Application packs can be downloaded from our website. Alternatively, please email us to request one.

Adfam actively welcomes applications from all sections of society.

We're looking for two Support Workers to join Your Place and be part of our dedicated team to help us with our mission to solve homelessness in east London, one person at a time!

About the role
This role gives you the opportunity to help people build positive relationships and see meaningful change over time. At Your Place, we work to build hope and develop sustainable life skills that support people to move on from homelessness. We work closely with each resident, focusing on their strengths through one‑to‑one and peer‑led support within a compassionate community that encourages progress towards independent living.

As a Support Worker, you will deliver consistent one to one keywork to residents who may be rebuilding their lives after homelessness while navigating multiple needs and complex barriers. You will complete assessments, co‑produce support plans and risk assessments, and work in a trauma‑informed and psychologically aware way that promotes safety, dignity and independence.

You will not be doing this work alone. As part of a dedicated support team, you will collaborate closely with our Community Partnership Team, Resident Services and Move‑On Specialist to create joined‑up pathways, remove barriers and support successful move‑on.

Our approach is collaborative. You will work with health services, substance misuse providers, the DWP, Probation, Housing and other partners to ensure residents receive the right support at the right time. We are proud of our culture of Growth, Inclusion, Collaboration and Compassion, which shapes how we work as One Team and how we show up for residents and for each other.

Salary: £30,205-£32,965 annual salary
Contract: Permanent
Hours: 37.5 hours
Location: Canning Town, London

This role involves shift work, including evenings and weekends.

Person specification

Experience

· Relevant experience may be gained through work or education, including supporting people affected by homelessness or housing insecurity and multiple needs, such as mental health, substance use, offending, poor physical health, or social isolation.

· Experience working in a trauma-informed and person-centred way, which can be demonstrated either through employment or educational placements, particularly with individuals who may find services difficult to trust.

· Experience completing assessments and co-producing support plans/risk assessments, as well as reviewing progress over time, gained via work, volunteering, or educational settings.

· Experience of partnership working and multi-agency coordination, developed through professional roles or collaborative educational projects.

Skills & knowledge

· Ability to build rapport and maintain professional boundaries, confident communication with residents and professionals.

· Strong organisation and time management; able to manage a caseload and competing priorities.

· Good IT skills such as Microsoft Office and ability to use case management systems e.g., In-Form/Salesforce/Pyramid.

· Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, GDPR/data protection and health & safety in a supported housing setting.

· Sound knowledge and understanding of the issues affecting supported housing and vulnerable adult groups

· Ability to work shifts including evenings and weekends and contribute to a team rota.

Desirable

· Experience supporting vulnerable adults, migrants and/or people facing barriers to move-on, including navigating access to advice and housing pathways.

· Experience using In-Form.

· Qualifications relevant to supporting vulnerable adults.

Personal qualities

· Self-sufficient and highly organised with the ability to accomplish goals according to deadlines, and a flexibility and to juggle a variety of tasks

· Ability to act on own initiative and effectively under own direction, as well as productively within a team

· Strong sense of responsibility and accountability

Awareness of own training and support

At Your Place, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. We know through experience that the different ideas, perspectives and backgrounds create a stronger and more creative work environment that delivers better resident outcomes. We welcome applications irrespective of peoples age, disability, sex, gender, identity and gender expression, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We have policies and procedures in place to ensure that all applicants are treated fairly and consistently at every stage of the recruitment process, including the consideration of reasonable adjustments for people who have a disability.

This post is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.

Apply now with your CV and a supporting statement telling us why you want to work at Your Place and how you meet the person specification.

Yeldall Manor is a Christian recovery centre for men overcoming drug and alcohol addiction. We’re looking for a caring, motivated person to help maintain a clean, comfortable, homely environment while supporting residents as they rebuild their lives.

In this rewarding position, you will help ensure the cleanliness of our buildings while working alongside our male residents who are recovering from drug and alcohol addiction. Although you will sometimes carry out practical cleaning tasks yourself, a key part of your role is to support, motivate and guide residents as they take responsibility for the majority of the cleaning as part of life in community.

You will need strong interpersonal skills, a calm and encouraging approach, and the confidence to set and uphold consistent standards. As a CQC‑registered centre, excellent hygiene is essential, and we aim to maintain a warm, family‑style atmosphere where everyone feels valued and at home.

Yeldall Manor is a Christian organisation, and every member of staff plays a part in supporting residents on both their recovery and spiritual journeys. This role therefore has an occupational requirement that the successful candidate be a committed and practising Christian (in accordance with Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010).

Yeldall Manor is committed to safeguarding the welfare of its residents. The successful candidate will be subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check. We welcome candidates with lived experience but, if you are in recovery, you must have a minimum of two years’ clean time.

Hours and benefits:

• Permanent position
• 24 hours per week (some flexibility available within the standard working week)
• Lunch provided daily with the residents
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata) rising to 30 days after three years' service
• Full details available in the job description

Application:

If you are mature, motivated and caring, with practical skills and a heart to see people overcome substance misuse, we would love to hear from you. Please submit your CV along with a covering letter to explain your suitability for the role as outlined in the attached job description and person specification and respond to the additional question about your Christian faith.

The Loop delivers high quality, accessible, evidence-based and evidence-making drug checking services and to disseminate harm reduction information to individuals, service providers and policy makers. This is for the purpose of creating a safer society where everyone can access accurate, timely, and relevant information to make more informed decisions about drugs.

The Communications Lead will ensure that we are able to extend the reach and understanding of harm reduction related to drugs and alcohol. This post will ensure The Loop expands its profile and presence, capacity and response, to maximise the opportunities to communicate harm reduction messages and information, raises the awareness, access and understanding of drug checking, and engages stakeholders and members of the public.

This will require the postholder to:

- Coordinate and increase the capacity of The Loop to effectively communicate related to our aims and purpose

- Develop and disseminate social media content, in collaboration with colleagues across The Loop

- Work with partners of The Loop including press and media to further the profile of The Loop for strategic benefit and greater reach to the public.

You will be motivated to assist in the development and delivery of The Loop and possess knowledge of drugs-related harm reduction approaches including messaging, with related or transferable experience in communications. You will contribute and be part of a passionate team of staff and volunteers determined to further introduce drug checking and related harm reduction interventions across the UK.

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Applications by CV and expression of interest, demonstrating your ability to meet the requirements of this role and your motivation in working for The Loop, deadline 20 April 2026.

2. Shortlisting on 21 April, with interviews held on or between 27-30 April 2026, online.

3. Appointment and commencement in post, May 2026.

Please note: the successful candidate will need satisfactory references and a DBS check.

The Loop is an equal opportunities employer, and embraces and celebrates diversity in our organisation, communities we serve, and across society. We welcome applications from all.

Are you a skilled practitioner with excellent communication skills? Are you solution focused and passionate about making a difference? If so, Family Action has an exciting opportunity and would love to hear from you.

Wandsworth Wellbeing Foodbank Service is an adult mental health service, offering support in foodbanks and Primary Care settings and we are delighted to be hiring an additional Wellbeing Coordinator to join our supportive and successful team.

New funding has enabled us to create this post which will focus on increasing our capacity and inclusivity to provide emotional and practical support to the most vulnerable foodbank guests, who present with complex needs. This will involve providing a short-term intervention of up to two sessions, making safeguarding and other referrals where appropriate, liaising with GP’s and improving access to services.

The other facet to the role will involve building new links with marginalised communities in Wandsworth, such as Refugee and Asylum Seekers, people with substance misuse, victims of domestic violence and the LGBTQ+ community. The goal is to reduce health inequalities linked to racism and all forms of discrimination.

About us

Through our Reset Outreach & Referral Service (RORS), we support people in Tower Hamlets affected by drugs and alcohol. Our team takes a harm-reduction approach: meeting people where they are, reducing stigma, and helping them access treatment, health services, and wider community support.

This role is an opportunity to make a real difference—whether you bring experience from substance use services or transferable skills and a passion for supporting people.

The ideal candidate

The ideal candidate is passionate about providing quality support to diverse groups of people in East London. You should have the drive and ambition to support your team to make positive lasting changes in people’s lives.

You might have some knowledge of substance use or transferrable skills from other experiences, like working in fast-paced environments where you had to respond to customer needs. The experience you have can be paid or voluntary and lived experiences of using substances is equally valued. 

You should be eager to engage with people about different drugs and alcohol and be understanding of how different barriers can impact a person’s access to services or education. You will live out Providence Row’s values (compassion, respect, inclusiveness, empowerment, and justice) in your approach to your work, as well as operating within a harm-reduction framework.

You are an excellent communicator and can create positive working relationships with a wide range of people.  You are active, able to work independently and as part of a team and are experienced in assessing risk in new situations. You are creative, driven, and well organised. 

Research shows some people, especially women and marginalised groups, may hesitate to apply unless they match all the criteria. However, we want to assure everyone that we encourage applications from all individuals, regardless of whether they fulfil every point in the job description. Your unique perspective matters to us – please apply with confidence.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Employee assistance programme
• Access to shopping discounts
• Learning & development opportunities
• Monthly reflective practice 

To apply:  Please upload your CV with a covering letter detailing how you meet the job specification by 23 April 2026 at 23:30.

Interviews
Please note that we may interview on a rolling basis and therefore encourage early applications.

Providence Row is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales; company number 07452798 registered charity number 1140192.

About us
Providence Row believes that no one should have to sleep rough and that everyone should have access to the support they need to find a safe place to call home.

We work with those affected by homelessness and those vulnerably housed in Tower Hamlets, offering an integrated service of housing advice & support, access to substance use, physical & mental health services, as well as, training & progression programmes. We ensure that people often excluded from mainstream services gain the support and opportunities they need to create a safe, healthy and sustainable life.

The ideal candidate

• Holding a caseload of people who are sleeping rough where their substance and/or alcohol use
• Ability to conduct street outreach at sleepsites and known hotspots within the Borough
• To actively promote and work in a way which encourages harm reduction
• To work collaboratively with partner agencies to ensure positive outcomes are achieved, safeguarding is shared and to increase the persons access to support services.
• Increase the total number of people accessing structured treatment & recovery through a bespoke pathway for rough sleepers as well as sustain treatment for these individuals, reduce harm, and support bespoke planned treatment exits or transitions into community-based services (continuity of care).
•  Reducing barriers of accessing Primary Healthcare services, such as GP registration, attending hospital appointments and specialist health services by advocating for and supporting clients.
• Attending and coordinating client related MDT’s and attendance at meetings relating to the rough sleeping community
• You will promote and deliver Naloxone training & distribution to those on your caseload 
• You have excellent communication skills and can create positive working relationships with a wide range of people, including external services.
• You will support the development of the service and ensure that you are delivering a solution-focussed and strength-based approach.

Benefits

• 27 days holiday plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Season ticket loan
• Employee assistance programme
• Access to shopping discounts
• Learning & development opportunities
• Monthly reflective practice 

To apply:  Please upload your CV with a covering letter detailing how you meet the job specification by 24 April 2026 at 23:30.

Interviews
Please note that we may interview on a rolling basis and therefore encourage early applications.

Providence Row is a charitable company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales; company number 07452798 registered charity number 1140192.

Our Vacancy

Join Peabody’s Islington Mental Health Services and make a real difference. You’ll provide high-quality support to people with a history of serious mental illness, helping them live independently and thrive.

What You’ll Do

Work collaboratively with customers to promote recovery, build life skills, and support access to housing, income, and wellbeing. You’ll deliver person-centred, trauma-informed care and help customers achieve their goals.

What You’ll Bring

• A genuine passion for delivering excellent customer service.
• Kindness, empathy, and an appreciation for diversity.
• Experience in support planning and risk assessment.
• Understanding of mental health best practices and safeguarding.
• Confidence working with people who have a Dual Diagnosis – those who have a mental health condition and a substance use disorder at the same time. 
• Knowledge and experience of the Recovery Model and Trauma-Informed Care.

Why Join Us?

When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What We Offer 

• 25 days’ annual holiday, plus bank holidays
• two additional paid volunteering days each year 
• flexible benefits scheme, including family friendly benefits and access to a discount portal 
• 4 x salary life assurance
• up to 10% pension contribution

Please read before applying:

• Your eligibility - you must be eligible to work in the UK and able to work the full contracted hours of 37.5 hours per week. 
• This role will require an enhanced DBS check.

If this sounds like we are right for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, we’d like to hear from you. Please apply now by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Interviews will be ongoing until Wednesday 8th April
We reserve the right to close this advert early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

PLEASE NOTE: As an employer, Peabody does not provide sponsorship as a licenced UK employer.

About the role:

This is a rare opportunity to take a clinical role out of a traditional setting and into the heart of Camden’s rough sleeping response. As Clinical Psychologist within our Rough Sleeping Outreach and Hub Service, you will work alongside people who are often navigating mental health challenges alongside homelessness, substance use and other experiences that can make engaging with support feel difficult or unsafe. Your role will be to help bridge that gap, bringing thoughtful, psychologically informed support directly to where it’s needed most.

You’ll combine direct clinical work with a strong focus on influence and impact. This means completing assessments and formulations, supporting access to appropriate mental health pathways, and holding a small caseload for more structured therapeutic work at the hub. Alongside this, you’ll play a key role in strengthening how the wider service understands and responds to trauma and mental health, creating space for reflection, shared thinking and more effective ways of supporting clients to move away from the streets and towards safety and longer term stability.

Working closely with outreach teams, hub staff and external partners, you’ll help shape a more joined up and human approach to support. You’ll also line manage and develop an Assistant Psychologist, contributing to both their growth and the wider offer to clients. This is a role where your expertise won’t sit in isolation - it will influence practice, shape culture and ultimately help more people access the support they deserve.

About you:

• You’re a qualified Clinical Psychologist (HCPC registered) with experience supporting adults facing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, mental health and substance use
• You build trust in a way that feels genuine and consistent, especially with people who may have had difficult experiences of services
• You’re confident in assessment and formulation, and use this to guide meaningful, person centred support and decision making
• You have experience working alongside other services and professionals, and know how to navigate systems to get the right support in place
• You’re comfortable influencing practice beyond your own caseload, whether through reflective practice, consultation, training or informal day to day support to teams
• You bring curiosity, sound judgement and a calm, thoughtful approach, even in complex or high pressure situations

About us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important info:

Closing date: Sunday 19th April 2026 at midnight

Interview date: Tuesday 28th April at our Head Office in Kings Cross 

Please note shortlisted candidates will be asked to complete a short online psychometric assessment prior to interview.

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed (by SHP) for the successful applicant.

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. 

Cranstoun is an independent charity and leading provider of specialist treatment, harm reduction and recovery services to those affected by drug and alcohol use. This is an exciting opportunity to become a Key Worker within our high performing psychosocial drug and alcohol service in HMP Birmingham. 

We provide a range of services for those affected by drugs and alcohol. Our skilled and compassionate team work closely with people who use our services to change and save lives. We combine proven expertise in treatment and recovery with innovative approaches and actively involve those we help in improving the design of the services we provide. 

You will be based in our psychosocial team working with adult males (over 18 years old). You will be responsible for delivering a range of elements of our substance use work including case management, assessments, care planning, the delivery of one-to-one interventions to include harm reduction and motivational work, group work, and engagement support as well as other associated duties. You need to be committed to supporting people who use our services to make positive changes to prepare them for release into the community, and you will arrange continuity of care. You will work in collaboration with the clinical team and integrated working is a key element of this role. You will work within the prison setting and contribute towards the wider prison drug strategy. 

Having experience of supporting people with complex health needs including substance use, you will bring knowledge and commitment to deliver drug and alcohol treatment. You will have a non-judgemental attitude and a desire to support the lives of people who use our services to be healthier and safer by delivering a high-quality service. 

Experience of working with drug and alcohol use is essential. You will be a competent communicator, with the ability to work independently and be comfortable and enthusiastic, both with the highlighted client group and working in partnership with other service providers. Previous experience or knowledge of working with individuals on opiate replacement treatment, and/or involved in the criminal justice system will be advantageous.

All posts are subject to an enhanced DBS Disclosure.

For more details and to apply, please visit our website.

Closing date: 19th April 2026.

We are recruiting a Drugs Education Coordinator (Scotland) to join our team. This role will involve the coordination of DSMF drug education in Scotland, based in the Grampian region, working with the senior leadership team to develop provision regionally and more widely.

Suitable candidates will:

• be passionate about supporting young people to make safer choices about drugs and alcohol, with a good understanding of substance use and particularly its physiological, psychological and social impact
• have experience of project coordination, with excellent organisation skills
• be a skilled and effective communicator, both in writing and orally, with a wide range of people and agencies
• be proactive, self-motivated and confident to take initiative
• enjoy working remotely as part of a small and busy team

The Job description and person specification are available below. Please click 'How to apply' to view the application form.

Please share with anybody you think might be interested in joining our brilliant team!

Interviews are likely to be held the week beginning 11th May 2026. 

Are you an approachable, friendly, people person who feels at ease engaging with people facing homelessness?

Do you have the confidence to hop on the Justlife minibus and participate in outreach to temporary accommodation across Manchester, going out and meeting people where they are? Are you able to adapt to changing situations, think on your feet and problem solve?

Are you passionate about navigating through various systems to get the best outcomes for people who are homeless and living in temporary accommodation?

Are you open to supporting people using a trauma informed approach and reflecting on your practice with colleagues?

If you do want to work for an innovative, collaborative and solution focused organisation that supports homeless adults living in temporary accommodation then please apply! See below for details.

About Us

Why do we exist?

Justlife is in existence because we know thousands of people struggle to manage in poor and unsuitable temporary accommodation. Their stay isn’t temporary, they are likely to be suffering with deteriorating mental and physical health, becoming victims of crime, losing control of their life and even dying prematurely. We are working towards making their stays as short, safe and healthy as possible.

How do we operate?

Our values guide our work and are very important to us:

• Collaboration before competition
• People before programmes
• Innovation before institutions

What do we do?

Justlife delivers impactful services in Greater Manchester and Brighton & Hove, supporting and empowering people experiencing homelessness in temporary accommodation. We also drive positive system change across the national temporary accommodation sector, convening those with a common interest; people with lived experience, landlords, charities, local and national government, and carrying out research and gathering insights.

We aim to grow our impact and reach, supporting more people in temporary accommodation and to build a movement that brings about lasting positive change.

Why work for us?

Here at Justlife, we're committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to be an organisation that's representative of the communities we serve, which is why we strive for diversity of age, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity and perspective.

Perks of working at Justlife

• Great holiday package! Starting at 27 days annual leave entitlement, plus bank holidays (increasing to 29 days after 5 years’ service and 30 days after 10 years’ service)
• Additional 5 days annual leave purchase scheme through salary sacrifice
• Enhanced pension contribution scheme, 5% Justlife contribution (correct at time of print)
• Cycle to work scheme
• 2 Volunteering days per year
• Access to regular clinical supervision

About the job

About this role:

The role of Specialist Support Worker involves supporting a caseload of clients who are experiencing homelessness and taking part in regular outreach visits to temporary accommodation (TA) across Greater Manchester. The role requires the use of specialist knowledge and relationship skills to support clients with varying degrees of mental and physical health, addiction and trauma related issues to engage with health services and to access suitable housing solutions. The Specialist Support Worker is also expected to develop good working relationships with TA Landlords and Managers ensuring that their residents experience of TA is as positive as possible.

This will include advocacy in registering them for medical services and accompanying them to appointments, assisting them in addressing all aspects of physical and mental health and substance addiction needs, as well as advocating for them to get access to suitable housing and social security benefits. The role is dependent on excellent communication and collaborative working with colleagues and a variety of partners, including the Probation Service, local council services and other third sector organisations.

The role requires a high degree of motivation in addition to creativity and flexibility to support people with multiple and compound needs. With a passion to work collaboratively with others for the good of our clients, and with experience of working in a related field in a voluntary or paid capacity.

Making decisions ‘in the moment’ to mitigate risk with clients can place high emotional demands on the job holder. A high degree of emotional intelligence is required to support clients, many of whom have complex emotional needs, with backgrounds of trauma, neglect, abuse and involvement in the criminal justice system. In a role of this nature, you will experience a range of emotions from joy to grief and as such it requires a high level of resilience and self-awareness to cope with the emotional demands of the role.

The role sits within a highly supportive team with all staff in receipt of regular line management and external clinical supervision; with reflective practice actively encouraged in team meetings.

Key terms and conditions

Job Title: Specialist Support Worker

Hours: 31 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Normal hrs to be worked: Monday/Wednesday 9am-5pm and Tuesday/Thursday 9am-5.30pm

Location: Justlife Centre, Manchester

Salary: £15.33 p/h (£29,894 per annum pro rata)

Application Process

To apply, please upload an up-to-date CV and a covering letter addressing how you meet the person specification. The person specification details key areas of knowledge, experience, skills and personal attributes required for the role. Please describe in this section, using examples from your experience, how you meet the person specification. Short listing will be based upon how well you demonstrate your ability to meet the person specification in your cover letter.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

We value authentic applications but recognise that Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn.

Deadline for applications is midnight 9th April, but we may close this early if enough suitable applicants are identified.

Provisional interview dates will be the week of 20th April.

Role description

Service Delivery:

Using frontline practical and procedural knowledge of working with people with multiple and compound needs to support them to engage with health care, wellbeing services, benefits and housing services during their housing vulnerability.

This could include, but is not limited to:

• Assisting people in addressing housing, financial, health and wellbeing needs through the support pathway.
• Connecting people with appropriate support services such as substance misuse services, GP, mental health services, advocating on behalf of the client and accompanying them to appointments.
• Supporting the delivery of outreach to TA’s across Greater Manchester on the Justlife minibus. This includes engaging with residents, managers and landlords of TA to build effective working relationships and establish support needs.
• Helping to increase the self-confidence of clients to improve their chances of moving on from their housing vulnerability through one to one key work sessions, group activities and outreach.
• Maintaining regular contact, a listening ear and emotional support during times of crisis.
• Liaising with Landlords and property Managers to identify residents who would like support and to help prevent evictions.
• Manage own calendar to deliver a caseload during periods of work-related pressure, including actively pursuing the project outcomes set for the project and individual clients.
• Use interpersonal and communication skills to provide support to clients and collaborate with others including colleagues, partner agencies, health care professionals and external agencies through joint working.
• Take duty of care seriously by assessing the client’s social and environmental conditions, identifying and passing on information to and from relevant professionals, ensuring client confidentiality is maintained.
• Use of excellent writing skills to prepare and submit referrals and housing applications along with a good working knowledge of housing legislation in order to advocate on behalf of people.
• Brief and liaise with other members of the team and external agencies regarding clients, enabling them to effectively carry out their roles.
• Ensure accurate and up to date client data and case notes are recorded within our Inform database within the standards set by the organisation.
• Carry out light physical tasks, such as travelling to visit people on outreach, shopping, organising deliveries or lifting office equipment.

Service Development:

• Collaborate with the entire Specialist Support team to ensure support requirements are in place for all registered clients.
• Contribute to initiatives that seek to influence service improvements, implement changes and develop new interventions and support for clients.
• Provide data, reports and impact studies when requested.
• To be part of and contribute to the Justlife staff team, attending meetings as appropriate and to be involved in staff development, training, supervision and reflective practice as well as continuing professional development and training events where appropriate and be committed to team events.

Research:

• Supporting the wider Justlife vision to feed into research and help develop the service including the involvement of clients in design and delivery of the service.

Responsible to: Service Manager

Responsible for: N/A

This job description is intended as an outline indicator of general areas of activity and will be amended in light of the changing needs of Justlife. It is expected that the post holder will be as positive and flexible as possible in using this document as a framework, and in performing other duties commensurate with these responsibilities, the band of the post and skills and qualification of the post-holder.

Person Specification

Experience:

• Experience of working with vulnerable adults (those experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability, or a comparable client group).
• Experience of working with drug and alcohol dependent adults and those experiencing poor mental health.
• Experience of working with people in contact with the criminal justice system.

Skills:

• Care, empathy and skilled in dealing with emotionally vulnerable clients.
• Excellent ability to engage with clients in an empowering manner.
• Effective communication; written and oral skills.
• Effective administrative and IT skills.
• Excellent organisational skills.
• Driving licence holder and access to a vehicle (desirable).

Knowledge:

• Demonstrate knowledge of assessment, support planning and interventions that help clients experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability to feel connected and healthier.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the challenges and solutions to working with a client group who may be experiencing one or more of the following: poor health (physical and mental), substance misuse, homelessness and contact with the criminal justice system.
• An understanding of health and safety and safeguarding policies and procedures that aim to keep staff and clients safe.

Personal Attributes:

• Commitment to equal opportunities in our service delivery.
• High level of self-awareness and the ability to maintain personal wellbeing through periods of pressure and stress.
• Ability to be self-motivated and work well in a team and as a lone worker.