Substance misuse jobs

Job Title: Employment Consultant (Portsmouth/Southampton area)

Location: Home- and field-based with regular local travel (driving licence essential)

Salary: £33,174

Hours: Full time 37.5 hours per week (part time or flexible working options considered)

Contract: 2 years fixed term with possibility of extension

At The Poppy Factory, we believe that everyone who has served our country deserves the opportunity to build a fulfilling life beyond the armed forces. For over a century, we have stood alongside veterans and their families, evolving our services to support veterans and adult family members to overcome barriers to employment and transform their lives.

We are seeking a passionate and person-centred Employment Consultant to join our team. This is a role for someone who believes in potential, not limitations – someone who can walk alongside clients with empathy and determination, empowering them to take ownership of their employment journey.

You’ll provide tailored information, advice and guidance to help veterans secure meaningful and sustainable work, managing a diverse caseload with care and professionalism. Using coaching, mentoring and strengths-based approaches, you will help individuals identify their goals, build resilience and move confidently towards lasting employment outcomes.

Collaboration is at the heart of this role. You will develop strong partnerships with regional organisations to generate referrals and address wider barriers such as mental health, housing or addiction, while also building strong relationships with local employers to create real opportunities for your clients, and sharing best practice with your colleagues in the team.

With a strong understanding of local labour markets and safeguarding practices, you’ll maintain high-quality case records, contribute to continuous improvement, and actively participate in team development. Adaptability, initiative and resilience are key, as we respond to the evolving needs of our clients and the communities we serve.

Why The Poppy Factory?

• A chance to give back to our armed forces and make a positive and lasting impact to the lives of veterans and their families.
• Competitive salary and benefits package including generous holiday and pension contributions.
• A welcoming and empowering culture, with regular opportunities for team connecting and shared learning throughout the year.
• Variety in the role, a mix of delivering a community-based service in your region, home working and occasional visits to the historic Poppy Factory in Richmond, London
• The opportunity to develop your region and build relationships with employers and other support services that best meet the needs of the people you’re supporting.
• Be part of an iconic charity with a 100+ year history

For further information, including the full job description for the role, please refer to the candidate pack.

How to apply

To apply for this position please prepare your CV and a covering letter clearly outlining how you meet the essential criteria in the person specification as set out above and submit via the online application process. Please address your covering letter to Melanie Rignall, Services Manager.

For an informal conversation to find out more about this role, please call Melanie Rignall.

The closing date for this vacancy will be 2 May 2026. Please note, we cannot accept late or incomplete applications. Only applications submitted through the online process will be considered.

First stage interviews will take place on 8 May 2026, with second stage interviews scheduled for 13 May 2026. Please ensure you are available on these dates, as it’s not always possible to reschedule.

No agencies please.

Equality & Diversity

We are committed to equality, valuing diversity, and promoting inclusion within our workforce, including the volunteers who give their time to us.  We work to maintain an environment where the needs and aspirations of all employees are met, irrespective of characteristics protected under the legislative framework of the Equality Act 2010. We expect everyone to understand and accept their personal responsibility to recognise and value differences and the unique contributions that people make to the way we deliver our work.

As an equal opportunities employer our commitment is to take positive measures to recruit people from underrepresented groups, and we actively encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds. As a Disability Confident employer, we offer a guaranteed interview for any job applicant with a disability who meets the essential criteria for the role. Please indicate in your covering letter if you wish to be considered under this scheme. We are also happy to discuss reasonable adjustments to the application or interview process to accommodate disabled candidates.

We are a family friendly employer and happy to discuss flexible working arrangements. We encourage applicants to contact us to discuss if they have any questions before applying.

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options. 

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.

Due to a funding increase we are expanding our recovery team and are looking for a senior practitioner with experience and knowledge of recovery services within prison settings.

Working as a Senior Worker/ Practitioner with Change Grow Live is a rewarding role where you can utilise your people skills to make a real difference in the lives of those suffering with substance misuse problems. Supporting our service users from point of entry into the service and through their recovery journey, helping with social re-integration and enabling them to lead purposeful and meaningful lives.

Our ideal candidate will have the skills and experience to assess and engage with our service users, ensuring that they access the right intervention at the right time, in a way that best meets their needs.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience of substance misuse issues, looking to take the next step in their career with a charity that will support your continued personal and professional development.

 Where: HMP Erlestoke, Devizes

Full Time Hours: 37.5 per week 

Contract Type: Permanent 

 Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About the Role:

• Provide unwavering support to service users from their initial contact with our service throughout their treatment and recovery journey.
• Implement tailored interventions aimed at reducing the harm caused by substance use, either through group sessions or one-on-one engagement.
• Ensure service users receive a comprehensive, recovery-focused detoxification plan, including pre-detox preparation and post-care support.
• Collaborate with other organisations and the community to enhance the recovery resources available to service users by referring them to mutual aid groups and other networks.
• Advocate for the involvement of family members, service users, and the community.
• Serve as a voice for service users in accessing partnership services and support the team lead in driving successful partnership relationships.
• Work closely with service users to facilitate their social (re)integration, enabling them to lead fulfilling and purpose-driven lives. This includes promoting recovery, resilience, peer support, and self-determination.
• Lead on our mentoring and volunteer programmes, expanding the mentor offer, supervising and developing skills of our peer mentors and volunteers.
• Deputise for the Team Lead when required

About you:

• Have a strong understanding of substance misuse issues and experience of working within a similar field ideally within prison/criminal justice
• Be an excellent communicator, both verbal and written with good IT skills
• Proactive and able to work on own initiative with excellent time management and prioritising skills
• Have a good working knowledge of mental health interventions, services, and good practice
• Be a supportive team player with strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work in partnership with a wide range of professionals, agencies, and internal/external stakeholders
• Ability to manage change successfully in a way that prioritises the needs of service users
• Understand the importance of information governance processes and commit to follow and apply all necessary safeguards
• Seek out learning opportunities to improve and broaden your professional knowledge and skills and to contribute and oversee the learning and development of others
• Ability and experience of delivering mentoring training and supervision sessions to mentors and volunteers 

What we will give to you: 

• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays. Additionally, you'll receive one extra day of annual leave for each year of service during your first five years, therefore you will enjoy 30 days of leave after five years with us

• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• Several benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 
• A friendly and supportive team 
• Training, career development & progression opportunities 
• Generous Refer-a-Friend Scheme 

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role. 

Direct applications only we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

 Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Salary is subject to review in line with the 2025/26 pay award.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 28 to 30 (£32,002.35 - £34,214.20)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

Closing Date

3/6/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

Housing First Support Worker – Connect Community Trust (Somerset)
Salary: £27,669.10 per annum (pro rata) 35hrs a week

Are you passionate about walking alongside people as they rebuild their lives? We’re looking for a compassionate and committed Housing First Support Worker to help people move on from homelessness into secure, independent living.

This is a truly person-centred, community-based role where relationships are at the heart of everything. You’ll work with individuals who have often experienced significant trauma and exclusion, offering flexible, long-term support that adapts to their needs. Through patience, consistency, and trust, you’ll support people to maintain their tenancies, improve their wellbeing, and reconnect with their communities.

You’ll hold a small caseload, enabling you to provide meaningful, tailored support – whether that’s helping someone set up their new home, access health and recovery services, manage finances, or simply being a steady, reliable presence in their lives. Working collaboratively with local partners, you’ll play a key role in helping people build a stable and hopeful future.

About you:
You’ll bring experience of working with people facing homelessness, mental health challenges, or other complex needs, alongside a genuine belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home. You’ll be resilient, empathetic, and able to work both independently and as part of a wider team. Strong communication skills are essential, as is a full driving licence and access to a vehicle, given the rural nature of the role.

For an informal conversation, please contact Suzanne Addicott directly.

Rolling interviews – we encourage early applications.

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 Complex Needs Support Worker to play a pivotal role in our Domestic Abuse Service in Brent.

Sounds great, what will I be doing?

We are looking for passionate individuals to provide intensive casework, support, and day-to-day guidance for women in our services. You'll play a vital role in delivering safety advice and information, including around domestic abuse and independent living, while co-producing personalised Support and Safety Plans that build on each woman's strengths and goals.

Your work will include liaising with statutory bodies such as Social Services to ensure safeguarding responsibilities are met, supporting housing needs and move-on accommodation, and facilitating empowering social activities and workshops that promote confidence, self-esteem, and assertiveness.

At the heart of this role is The Hestia Approach – a commitment to co-production and recovery. You'll work in true partnership with service users, helping them shape the support they receive, whether through peer networks, community groups, or local events.

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.

Here's what the team will be looking for

Applicants should have experience supporting individuals with diverse and complex needs, including mental health issues and substance misuse. This includes delivering high-quality floating or outreach support, developing support plans, conducting risk assessments, and liaising with external professionals. Knowledge of safeguarding, welfare benefits, housing legislation, and the ability to accurately record casework using computer systems is essential. The role also requires the ability to work independently in the community and travel throughout the borough.

Please note: This role is open to female applicants only, in accordance with Schedule 9 (1a) of the Equality Act 2010.

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 candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

About the role 
We are recruiting a Van Peer Coordinator to support our Hepatitis C peer project in the Oxford & Thames Valley area. This role involves driving a van across the region and working with people affected by substance use and hepatitis C. 

Peers use their lived experience to raise awareness of hepatitis C, reduce stigma, and help people access testing and treatment. 

About you 
You will: 

• Be confident driving a van and travelling long distances 

• Have experience working with people affected by substance misuse 

• Have lived experience of hepatitis C, or experience supporting someone who has 

• Be reliable, compassionate, and well organised 

• Have good communication skills 

• Hold a clean driving licence (essential) 

What you’ll do 

• Recruit and support volunteer peers 

• Work with NHS hepatitis C teams, drug and alcohol services, and homelessness services 

• Coordinate education sessions and community-based hepatitis C testing 

• Support people into hepatitis C treatment and ongoing care 

This role requires regular travel across Oxford & Thames Valley. 

How to apply 
The closing date for applications is midnight, 7th June 2026. 

About Families Out Loud

Families Out Loud is a growing Wiltshire-based charity that supports families affected by a loved one’s drug or alcohol use. We provide non-judgemental, stigma-free spaces for people to speak out, connect, and heal. As we expand our reach and deepen our impact, we are investing in our infrastructure to ensure our operations reflect the care and integrity at the heart of our mission.

About the role

We are seeking an experienced Service Manager, who is either BACP (or similar) registered, to join the team. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will manage our client services and counselling support team, whilst maintaining a small caseload.

This is a key role for someone who thrives in a purpose-led environment and wants to make a direct impact in the field of family addiction. Committed to our Purpose, Vision, and Values, your work will help to secure the charity’s continued growth and future success.

Key responsibilities

·Manage the full client journey, from initial enquiry to end of support

·Lead and support a team of freelance counsellors (supervision, coordination, oversight, wellbeing awareness)

·Maintain a small client caseload as agreed with trustees

·Ensure safeguarding concerns are managed appropriately and in line with policy

·Oversee use of practice management systems (clinical and administrative)

·Ensure accurate, secure and GDPR-compliant record keeping 

·Provide a monthly service report (activity, KPIs and administrative)

·Review and authorise counsellor timesheets and invoices

·Contribute to the ongoing development and improvement of the service

What we’re looking for

·A minimum of 5 years’ counselling experience

·A minimum of 2 years’ management, supervisory or service leadership experience

·BACP registered (or equivalent professional body)

·Strong understanding of safeguarding and working with vulnerable individuals/ families

·Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to build trust quickly

·Strong time management and organisation skills

·Ability to manage multiple priorities in a flexible, part-time role

·Understanding of the impact of addiction on families

Overview

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options.

Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential. 

We have an exciting opportunity for a Non-Medical Prescriber (NMP) to join our service to lead on delivery of Hostel In Reach clinics. 

Our NMP’s are integral members of our multi-disciplinary and multi-agency teams, delivering recovery orientated alcohol and drug intervention services. Offering care for presenting clients, prescribing and/or making amendments to prescriptions of opiate and/or alcohol substitute treatments and other related medications, they take a lead role in developing the prescribing clinic, acting as a point of contact for other workers and partner agencies around prescribing issues.

No two days are the same and we treat every person who comes into our service as an individual, so being flexible, curious and a good listener are key. 

Where: Camden

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract Type:  Permanent

*Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

Responsibilities

About the role: 

• Assess, diagnose, plan; implement and evaluate treatment/interventions and care for service users 
• Prescribe and review medication for therapeutic effectiveness appropriate to service user needs and in accordance with evidence-based practice and national and local protocols, and within scope of practice 
• Prioritise health problems and intervene appropriately to assist the service user in complex, urgent or emergency situations seeking immediate advice and direction from the Clinical Lead if needed 
• Assess, update, and refer service users for BBV vaccination and immunisation programmes. Support service users to adopt health promotion strategies that promote healthy lifestyles 
• Communicate effectively with service users and carers, anticipating barriers to communication and recognising the need for alternative methods of communication to overcome different levels of understanding, cultural background and preferred ways of communicating 
• Maintain effective communication within the organisational environment and with external stakeholders, acting as an advocate for service users and colleagues where necessary 
• Produce accurate, contemporaneous and complete records of consultation, consistent with legislation, policies and procedures 
• Assess effectiveness of care delivery through self and peer review, benchmarking, and formal evaluation. Be actively involved in the annual appraisal system 

About you: 

• Qualified pharmacist with current GPhC registration and two years’ post qualification experience OR First level registered nurse with a current PIN AND three years post qualification experience 
• Qualified Non-Medical Prescriber 
• At least one year’s relevant and recent experience of working within substance misuse treatment 
• Sound and demonstrable knowledge of harm reduction and health promotion interventions 
• Ability to assess and recovery plan service users and formulate written reports as necessary 
• Ability to communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing 
• Full driving licence and access to own transport, or ability to demonstrate easy movement between services, if necessary 

What we will give to you: 

• 25 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays. Additionally, you'll receive one extra day of annual leave for each year of service during your first five years, therefore you will enjoy 30 days of leave after five years with us.

• Flexible working arrangements 
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme 
• Protected CPD time 
• Free access to the RCNi learning platform 
• Annual reimbursement of your NMC fee 
• Contributory pension scheme 
• A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc. 

Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role. 

Direct applications only we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

Salary is subject to review in line with the 2025/26 pay award.

Salary Range (pro rata if part time)

CGL points 43 to 48 (£47,792.23 - £53,329.99)

ILW / OLW /Fringe

Inner London Weighting (£4,133.14)

Closing Date

2/6/2026

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.

We believe that having diverse people working as part of our team makes us the organisation that we are.

We actively encourage applications from people from all backgrounds to help us to provide the best possible experience for the people who use our services and to make Change Grow Live a great place to work. If you have any feedback on our recruitment processes (good or bad) we’d love to hear from you so that we can make sure they are fair and we attract and recruit the best, most diverse workforce possible.

The safety of vulnerable children, young people and adults is our absolute priority. We will support you in your role to make sure that you are equipped to support the safety of people who use our services and those around them, to the highest standard possible.

About Us: Richmond Borough Mind has been delivering mental health support to people and their carers in the local community for over 65 years, and we are seeking an experienced Senior Support Worker to join our Emotional Wellbeing Service.

The Role: The Emotional Wellbeing Service (EWS) provides support to those experiencing and recovering from mental ill health. The Senior Support Worker plays a key role in delivering high-quality, strengths-based emotional wellbeing and prevention services for adults across Richmond. The role supports individuals to build resilience, improve wellbeing, reduce crisis and achieve personal outcomes through strengths-based assessment, personalised support planning, risk management and trauma-informed practice.

Key Responsibilities:

· Provide structured 1:1 and group-based emotional wellbeing support in line with strengths-based and recovery-focused principles.

· Complete trauma-informed, strengths-based assessments and co-produce personalised support plans within specified timescales.

· Deliver flexible support in the community venues, homes, online and by phone to maximise accessibility.

· Use evidence-based tools (e.g. solution-focussed scaling, WEMWEBS) to support and measure progress.

· Support clients of the service to build coping strategies, independence, social connection and community participation.

· Provide support to individuals experiencing distress, escalation or early crisis, using de-escalation and trauma-informed approaches.

About You: The successful candidate will have experience of delivering 1:1 support in the community and within people’s homes as well as delivering group-based intervention. The successful person will also have experience of working with a range of mental health conditions across the spectrum of recovery and be able to support those with complex needs such as (but not limited to) substance use, complex trauma, housing and debt issues, relationship challenges, social isolation and financial issues.

We offer:

· 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays per year, increasing by 1 day per full year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days) [pro rata]

· Contributory pension

· Bonus 1 day of annual leave per year over the festive period (pro rata)

· Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) which includes free counselling sessions

· Training and personal development opportunities

· Paid time off for medical appointments

· Staff away days and socials

The successful candidate will be subject to a Disclosure & Barring (DBS) check.

About the role: 

Every day in this role is different, but at the heart of it is one thing: helping people feel safer, more stable and more in control of their lives.

As a Floating Support Worker, you’ll support people living across Westminster to sustain their tenancies, navigate challenges and build the confidence and skills needed to live independently. You’ll work alongside people facing homelessness, isolation, poor mental or physical health, domestic abuse, substance use and other forms of multiple disadvantage, providing practical and emotionally intelligent support that meets people where they are.

This is a role built on relationships. You’ll work closely with clients in their homes and communities, creating support plans that feel realistic, empowering and genuinely person-centred. Whether you’re helping someone manage rent arrears, reconnect with services, settle into a new home or take steps towards work, training or improved wellbeing, your support will help people move forward in meaningful and lasting ways.

You’ll be part of Westminster Floating Support, a fast-paced and supportive service funded by Westminster City Council, delivering housing-related support to people in all types of accommodation across the borough. Working as part of a collaborative and psychologically informed team, you’ll build strong partnerships with local services and agencies to make sure clients receive joined-up, holistic support.

At Single Homeless Project (SHP), we’re committed to helping our staff grow too. You’ll have access to ongoing training, reflective practice and real opportunities to develop your career within an organisation that is ambitious about creating change for homeless Londoners.

About you:

• You bring experience supporting people facing multiple disadvantage, including homelessness, mental ill health, substance use, domestic abuse or social isolation, and know how to build trusting relationships that help people feel heard, respected and supported
• You feel confident helping people navigate the practical challenges that can put a tenancy at risk, from budgeting and benefits to rent arrears, housing options and building everyday independent living skills
• You work in a psychologically informed, strengths-based way, understanding how to motivate and empower people to move towards greater stability, confidence and independence at their own pace
• You’re able to balance empathy with professional curiosity, using support planning, risk assessment and safeguarding practice to provide safe, thoughtful and person-centred support
• You’re organised, proactive and able to manage a varied caseload while working collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies to help clients achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes

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 31st May at midnight

Interview date: Tuesday 9th June online via Microsoft Teams

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 with insufficient right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted or progressed.

Monday to Friday, 9-5

Mid-Essex with base office at Pitsea

Drug and Alcohol Outreach Support Worker – Empower People to Live Independently and Thrive

Are you someone who’s compassionate, proactive, and loves helping others build confidence and independence? Do you enjoy being out and about, meeting people, and making a real difference in your community? If so, this could be the perfect role for you.

We’re looking for an Outreach Support Worker to join our Drug and Alcohol Outreach team, supporting vulnerable individuals across the Epping, Harlow and Brentwood area of Essex. You’ll be helping people with addiction issues overcome challenges related to their housing, mental health, physical health and employment.

What your day might look like

• Start by visiting customers in their homes, helping them maintain their tenancies and build essential life skills.
• Support individuals with navigating welfare benefits, accessing services, and building confidence.
• Liaise with external agencies to ensure customers get the right support at the right time.
• Provide crisis intervention when needed, always with empathy and professionalism.

What makes this role special

Please note, this isn’t a care worker role. This is a role where it’s about empowering people, not doing things for them. You’ll help customers build resilience, develop skills, and take control of their lives. You’ll be their cheerleader, guide and advocate.

You’ll be part of a passionate team that’s committed to helping people flourish, and you’ll have the freedom to work independently while making a real impact.

Could it be you?

We’re looking for someone who:

• Has an understanding of drug and alcohol issues through professional, voluntary, or lived experience.

• Has worked with individuals facing mental health, health-related, or employment challenges
• Understands housing support needs and welfare benefits
• Can provide pre-tenancy advice and ongoing tenancy support
• Previous experience of working in a customer facing role
• Communicates clearly and solves problems with confidence
• Holds a valid UK driving licence and has access to a vehicle
• Is happy to undergo an Enhanced DBS check

What you’ll get in return

• 25 days’ annual holiday (plus bank holidays)
• 2 paid volunteering days each year
• Flexible benefits scheme including healthcare, dental, tech, vouchers, and more
• Life assurance at 4x your salary
• Up to 10% pension contribution
• Family-friendly policies
• A role where your support helps people thrive

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

Closing date: 7th June 2026 at midnight.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams on 16th June and then meet in person on 18th June, with a case study exercise at a location in the region. 

The role
Drive is a high risk / high harm domestic abuse perpetration intervention. Its sole aim is to reduce the risk posed by those using high levels of harm towards family members and / or (ex) partners. This is achieved via disruption, diversion and direct behaviour change work, where safe to do so, within a multi-agency framework.

The Team Leader will manage a small team of Case Managers and a reduced caseload.  You will assist the Service Manager in managing the Drive service to ensure high standards of practice in service delivery. You will provide leadership to the team and contribute to the development of the service. You will manage your own reduced caseload  working one-to-one with perpetrators who have been identified as high risk to pro-actively secure engagement, influence attitudinal and behavioural change and connect with complementary services. To do this, you will work with local agencies to design a co-ordinated, strategic individual intervention plan to address identified needs and risks and promote understanding of the impact of abusive behaviours. However, it may not always be safe or possible to meet with the perpetrator. Equally as vital to risk reduction efforts is analysis of presenting information to identify ways to disrupt their abusive behaviour, alongside closeknit multiagency working to implement actions.

Throughout all intervention the Drive Team Leader will work closely with the local IDVA service to review risk, develop safety plans and improve outcomes for all parties involved.

About you

You’ll have a deep understanding of the nature of domestic abuse and its effects on clients and children, as well as the reasons behind abusive behaviours towards intimate partners.

Your knowledge extends to the range of statutory and voluntary agencies that clients and their children may encounter, and you are aware of the impact of domestic abuse on children and parenting, including the additional needs of clients from BMER communities.

You will have experience in working with clients on issues of domestic abuse, managing your own workload and administration, and assessing the risk and safety of your clients and those connected to your client.  You will have handled safeguarding disclosures and referrals, and you communicate clearly with a range of people both over the telephone and in person.

You will be organised, able to use your initiative, and work effectively as part of a multi-service team. Your administrative skills are strong, and you are adept at using a computer to maintain effective systems.

Flexible and able to travel independently. Additionally, you will understand trauma-informed practices, risk mitigation, and safeguarding. Experience liaising with social workers and other professionals, and in related areas such as substance misuse, child protection, or family support, is desirable.

We want you to feel empowered to bring your authentic self to this role, so we encourage flexible working around core hours. We offer an annual continuous Professional Development allowance, generous annual leave entitlement and Birthday leave.

About us

We want to make working at TLC an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
It takes a dedicated, passionate, and flexible team to deliver the range of services we provide. We’re lucky to have over 150 people on our teams and 12 Trustees who believe in what we do. We are looking for enthusiastic, experienced, engaged and highly motivated people to join our team.

We aim to encourage a culture where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths. We seek to attract and employ the best people from the widest pool, reflecting the diverse range of people we support.

We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to be the best you can be, please contact us. 

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check and Police vetting.

Please note: We are running an active interviewing process for this role. Rather than waiting until the application deadline to begin reviewing candidates, we start reading applications and speaking with people as they come in.

This means interviews may take place throughout the advertising period, and the role may be filled before the closing date if we find the right candidate early.

If you’re interested, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible so you can be considered in the first round of conversations.

Justlife’s Vision

Making people's experience of temporary accommodation be short, safe and healthy.

About the job

The role of Families Project Worker involves supporting a caseload of families living in temporary accommodation. The role requires a combination of specialist knowledge and excellent relationship building skills to support residents with varying degrees of mental health, addiction and trauma related issues to engage with appropriate support, improve their experience of temporary accommodation and to access suitable housing solutions.

The role is dependent on excellent communication and joint working with colleagues and a variety of partners and professionals; including the NHS, Probation Service, local council services and other third sector organisations.

The role requires a high degree of motivation to support complex and vulnerable people, often in a lone-working situation. With a passion to work collaboratively with others for the good of our service users, and with some experience of working in a related field in a voluntary or paid capacity.

A high degree of emotional intelligence is required to support service users, many of whom have complex emotional needs, with backgrounds of trauma, neglect, abuse, crime and low self-worth. A role of this nature will experience a range of emotions from joy to grief and as such requires a high degree of resilience to cope with the emotional demands of the role.

Making decisions, “in the moment” to do the right thing to mitigate risk with service users can place high emotional demands on the job holder. The role is highly reactive, unpredictable and at times, chaotic. The role therefore requires a high degree of self-awareness to one’s own resilience levels and exercising appropriate levels of self-care.

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

Key terms and conditions

Job Title: Families Project Worker

Hours: 18.75 hours per week

Contract: Fixed Term until 30th June 2027

Normal hrs to be worked: Hours can be spread across Monday – Friday between 9am – 5pm

Location: Brighton

Salary: £30,791 per Annum pro rata

Application Process

To apply, please upload a covering letter addressing how you meet the person specification, together with an up-to-date CV.

Deadline for applications is 11:30pm 31st May.

Provisional interview dates will be the week of 8th June.

Responsible to: Families Project Team Lead

Responsible for: None

Key responsibilities

Service Delivery

• Deliver interventions and support for families in a warm, caring and flexible way, including:
  • Supporting them to engage with support services to improve and maintain their physical and mental wellbeing.
  • Assisting them in addressing housing, financial or wellbeing needs.
  • Accompanying them to appointments.
  • Connecting them with appropriate support services such as substance misuse services or food banks.
  • Collaborating with agencies such as the local authority, housing providers and support services to deliver an effective service
  • Maintaining regular contact and a listening ear for the client.
  • Helping increase their self-confidence and self-efficacy to improve their chances of moving on from homelessness.
  • Helping clients to engage in meaningful activities based on their strengths, interests and ambitions.
  • Contribute to team caseload meetings.
  • Use the Inform system to record key work carried out.
  • Carry out the relevant assessment with clients, identifying issues, as well as strengths, and develop a support plan that is reviewed regularly.

Service Development

• Liaise with local partners to improve collaborative working
• Promote and advertise the Justlife service locally
• Provide reports and case studies when requested.

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

Essential Experience:

• Experience of supporting vulnerable groups (those experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability, or a comparable client group)

Desirable Experience:

• Experience of working with drug and alcohol dependent adults or those experiencing poor mental health
• Experience of supporting families
• Experience of working with the welfare system
• Experience of working with the housing system

Skills

• Care, empathy and skilled in dealing with emotionally vulnerable service users
• Excellent ability to engage with service users in an empowering manner
• Effective communication; written and oral skills
• Effective administrative and IT skills
• Excellent organisational skills

Knowledge

• Demonstrate knowledge of assessment, support planning and interventions that help clients experiencing homelessness or housing vulnerability to become and stay healthy.
• 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 and homelessness.
• An understanding of health and safety policies and procedures that aim to keep staff and clients safe.

Personal Attributes

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

Young People Support Worker (Stockport)

We promise you that no day will be the same, and you will get so much out of working with our residents as you ensure that they are well-cared for, and empowered to make progress in their recovery.

Location: Stockport Pathway

Salary: £28,836 per annum

Closing date: 27 May, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

Make a real impact in the lives of young people at risk of homelessness as a Young People Support Worker. You’ll deliver strengths‑based, psychologically informed support that builds confidence and independence, creating safe and empowering spaces where young people can thrive. From shaping personalised plans to running meaningful activities, your work will help each person move closer to a stable, positive future.

Working a rotating shift pattern, you’ll build trusted relationships, champion safeguarding and collaborate with local partners to ensure every young person receives consistent, high‑quality support. Your creativity, communication skills and professional integrity will help clients engage in education, training, employment or volunteering opportunities—supporting them to take the next step towards independence.

Please note that this job opportunity is offered as a full-time (37.5 hours a week), permanent role.

In this role, you will:

• Provide strengths‑based, trauma‑informed support to young people at risk of homelessness

• Complete high‑quality risk assessments, SMART support plans and accurate case records

• Deliver one‑to‑one sessions and group activities that build resilience and independence

• Support young people to access education, training, employment and volunteering

• Maintain a safe, welcoming accommodation environment with regular health and safety checks

• Work collaboratively with partners and follow safeguarding procedures across a rotating shift pattern

About You (What we are looking for from you – Person Specification)

When completing your application form please address all the points set out below.

• Experience of working with young people or those who have experienced homelessness

• An understanding of the needs of people who have experienced homelessness, poor mental health, substance misuse or the care system

• A knowledge and understanding of Risk Assessments and Support Planning

• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills

• Able to demonstrate clear understanding of Safeguarding requirements and procedures

• Commitment to working in a manner which promotes diversity and equality, ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and dignity and no one suffers from discrimination

• Commitment to promoting an environment, which has the highest regard for the Health and Safety of others

• Personal and professional integrity

• High level understanding of professional boundaries and ability to maintain these

• Effective collaborative working

• Ability to effectively reflect on own practices for ongoing learning and development

• Respect for the values and ethos of Depaul and its founding partners

What You’ll Receive

· Tailored training and development

· Flexible working options where suitable

· 26 days annual leave, rising with service

· Family friendly leave policies

· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

· Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

· Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more

· Cash health plan for you and your family

· Death in service benefit

· Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.

We're looking for a Support Worker to join our Support and Advocacy team.

Working as part of our multi-disciplinary team, Our Support Worker provides casework support for male, trans and non-binary sex workers, which could include areas like homelessness, sexual health, mental health, substance use and chemsex. As a creative charity, Our Support Worker will also support delivery of our creative sessions and creative projects. This is an opportunity to specialise and take a leading role developing an element of Support and Advocacy, such as outreach, sexual health or mental health.

Location: Manchester City Centre

Working pattern: 4 days per week (30 hours)

Salary: £31,537 FTE - £25,230 Actual

Application deadline: 12 noon Friday 5th June