Recovery worker jobs in Hammersmith, greater london

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.

The Peer Recovery Worker will support people who are sleeping rough, at risk of rough
sleeping, or going through important stages in housing and recovery. The main purpose
of this role is to help reduce the harm caused by rough sleeping.

You will listen, build trust, give practical help and share clear information. You will help
people connect with the right support, including housing, health care, drug and alcohol
services, benefits advice, community groups, and services based at WSUP.

WSUP is not a drug and alcohol treatment provider, so this role does not involve
clinical treatment or specialist interventions. Instead, you will help people understand
their options, prepare for appointments, overcome barriers and stay connected with
services that can meet their needs.

You do not need to have all the answers.

We are looking for someone who is kind, reliable, calm and able to support people
without judgement. We welcome applications from people who have lived experience of homelessness,
addiction or recovery, and who feel ready to use that experience to support others
safely and positively.

Key Responsibilities
 

Engagement

• Build trusting and respectful relationships with people experiencing roughsleeping, homelessness, substance use, poor mental health or social isolation.
• Engage people in the Target Priority Group cohort through drop-ins, planned appointments, informal conversations and outreach.
• Provide emotional and practical support, listening and helping people feel heard.
• Use lived experience, where appropriate, to build connection, reduce stigma and inspire hope.
• Encourage people who may be unsure about housing, treatment or other support to explore their options at their own pace.
• Maintain contact during periods of disengagement, relapse, crisis or transition, within the boundaries of the role.
• Help people identify their own goals, strengths and next steps.
• Support or co-facilitate peer, recovery or wellbeing activities where appropriate.

Practical support and navigation

• Provide clear, accurate information about local treatment, health, housing, benefits and community services.
• Introduce people to co-located services at WSUP and help them understand what each service can offer.
• Provide warm handovers and accompany people to appointments where this is helpful, agreed and within the service plan.
• Help people with practical tasks such as phone calls, forms, identification, benefits enquiries and gathering information for appointments.
• Work closely with treatment, outreach, housing, health and other partners so that support is coordinated and responsibilities are clear.
• Advocate for people when stigma, exclusion or difficult processes create barriers to support.
• Support people at key transition points, including moving from the street into accommodation, leaving hospital, prison or treatment, or returning to services after disengagement.
• Help people connect with local groups, activities and community support that may improve wellbeing and reduce isolation. 
• Support day-to-day service delivery by staffing open sessions including Saturdays (on rota), covering reception duties and attending relevant team and management meetings.

Recording, safety and outcomes

• Record all contacts, actions, referrals, risks and outcomes accurately and promptly on WSUP's case management system.
• Complete triage/ONS4 wellbeing monitoring at the agreed stages.
• Complete ERSRAT monitoring across the newly registered guests, active caseload, including baseline information and follow-up reviews.
• Identify safeguarding concerns, immediate risks and changes in a person's situation, and report or escalate them without delay.
• Follow WSUP procedures on confidentiality, consent, information sharing, lone working, incidents, professional boundaries and health and safety.
• Contribute to support plans, case reviews and multi-agency discussions.
• Help collect guest feedback, case studies and evidence of outcomes, with appropriate consent. 

Working with co-located services

• Welcome and introduce people to visiting and co-located professionals.
• Help guests prepare for conversations with treatment, housing, health, benefits and other services.
• Share relevant information in line with WSUP policies and procedures.
• Follow up agreed actions and help guests understand what will happen next.
• Avoid taking over duties that belong to specialist, statutory or treatment providers. 

Person Specification
Essential skills & experience

• Experience of supporting people affected by homelessness, rough sleeping, substance use, poor mental health or other disadvantages.
• Ability to build trusting relationships with people who may have had poor experiences of services.
• Good listening, communication and practical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to explain information clearly and support people to make their own choices.
• Ability to work positively with colleagues, co-located services and external partners.
• Ability to maintain clear professional boundaries.
• Ability to recognise and respond to safeguarding and risk concerns.
• Ability to organise a varied workload and keep accurate records.
• Commitment to equality, inclusion and non-judgemental practice.
• Willingness to work flexibly, including outreach and occasional evening or weekend work where agreed. 

Desirable skills & experience

• Personal lived experience of substance use, recovery, homelessness or related issues, with the ability to use this experience safely and appropriately.
• Peer mentor or peer support training or qualification.
• Experience of helping people access treatment, health, housing or community services.
• Knowledge of local services in Greenwich or South East London.
• Basic computer skills. Training and support can be provided. 

At Hestia, we are guided by our core values and are dedicated to fostering an equitable, diverse, and inclusive organisation. Our mission is to empower individuals to rebuild their lives and achieve independence. Right now, we are looking for a Senior Recovery Worker to play a pivotal role in our Ealing Safe Space, Mental Health Crisis Alternative Service. 

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

In this role, you will take a leading position within a dynamic mental health crisis and early‑intervention service, managing a diverse caseload while providing skilled de‑escalation, robust risk assessment and coordinated multi‑agency support. You will guide and empower service users to engage with community services, while also offering day‑to‑day leadership to Recovery Workers, Peer Support Workers and volunteers, ensuring consistent, high‑quality practice. Acting as shift lead when required, you will make informed, real‑time decisions to maintain safe and effective service delivery. A key part of the role involves supporting student placements, contributing to learning plans and offering reflective supervision. You will work closely with the Service Manager and Area Manager to monitor performance, contribute to audits and quality reviews, and drive ongoing service development. You will also play an active role in recruitment, onboarding and volunteer integration, and represent the service in partnership forums, strengthening pathways with local crisis teams and community organisations to ensure continuity of care and smooth transitions for service users.

Please notes this role required you to work from 2pm - 10pm, including weekends and bank holidays. 

What do I need to bring with me?

You'll need to be able to demonstrate the core skills this role requires as well as match our values and mission. You don't have to tick all the boxes right away; the important thing is that you're willing to learn. We also value lived experience of the areas we support, so if you feel comfortable, please do mention this on your application.

You'll bring solid experience supporting people with mental health difficulties, dual diagnosis, and complex needs, along with the confidence to manage complex cases and work collaboratively with a range of services to keep people safe. You'll be someone who has supported or guided colleagues, peer workers, or students, and who's comfortable contributing to co‑produced activities and working in fast‑paced, crisis‑focused environments. A strong grounding in mental health, trauma‑informed practice, and the realities faced by people accessing crisis and community services is essential, as is a working knowledge of key legislation and safeguarding responsibilities. You'll also bring a deep belief in recovery, strengths‑based practice, and partnership working, alongside clear, adaptable communication that helps you connect with service users, professionals, and the wider community.

Interview Steps

We keep our interview process simple, so you know exactly what to expect.

• Shortlisting call: We have a team of dedicated recruitment specialists who will speak to you about your experience, motivations and values. They will also tell you about all the great work we do!
• Face to face interview: Now you will have face to face interview with the hiring manager. Our interviews are value and competency based.

Don't be alarmed if there are other stages in the process, it's all part of the plan for some of our roles.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

Our services users come from all walks of life and so do we. We hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds because it makes us stronger. We are committed to creating and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workforce and value the skills, abilities, talent and experiences, different people and communities bring to our organisation.

We are a disability confident employer

Hestia is proud to be a disability confident employer, dedicated to the employment and career development of individuals with disabilities. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all applicants with disabilities who meet the minimum criteria for the role they have applied for. We also provide reasonable adjustments during the selection and interview process, and throughout your employment with us.

Safeguarding Statement

Hestia is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of adults, children and young people who are potentially at risk, and we therefore expect all staff and volunteers to do the same. We require all staff to undertake internal and external safeguarding training throughout their employment with Hestia.

Important Information for Candidates

If your application is successful, please be aware that you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks before a formal offer of employment can be confirmed.

We reserve the right to close this job advert early should we receive a high volume of applications or if the position is filled before the closing date. We encourage interested