Recovery Worker

Believe in People? So Do We. At Change Grow Live, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to change the direction of their life. As a national charity rooted in compassion, evidence and respect, we work alongside people affected by substance use to help them access the right support, at the right time, in a way that recognises them as individuals.

Our values — Be open. Be compassionate. Be bold. — shape how we work every day, guiding our practice with people who use our services, our partners, and each other.

We are now looking for a Recovery Worker to join our dedicated prison-based team at HMP Elmley, supporting people in custody who are affected by drug and alcohol use. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in substance misuse who is ready to take the next step in their career within a values-led organisation that actively invests in learning, development and progression.

Where you will work

You will be based at HMP Elmley. As such this role is subject to prison clearance. The successful candidate will need to complete an enhanced DBS check and obtain either HMPPS security clearance.

About the role

As a Recovery Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting people from point of entry into the service and throughout their treatment and recovery journey within the secure estate.

Working as part of an integrated health and wellbeing model, you will deliver person-centred, trauma-informed psychosocial interventions, helping individuals to reduce harm, build resilience and prepare for recovery both in custody and on release.

Key responsibilities include:

• Supporting service users from initial engagement through treatment and recovery
• Delivering psychosocial interventions as part of the prison Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service
• Working in partnership with healthcare providers and prison colleagues within an integrated model
• Advocating for service users who may be unwilling or unable to engage in treatment
• Proactively following up missed appointments to maximise engagement opportunities
• Contributing to risk management processes, including ACCT procedures where appropriate
• Supporting social (re)integration by promoting recovery, resilience, peer support and self-determination
• This role requires professionalism, adaptability and the ability to work confidently within a secure environment.

About you

• You will be motivated by making a difference and bring a thoughtful, recovery-focused approach to your work. You will also demonstrate:
• A strong understanding of substance misuse and experience working in a similar field
• Ideally, experience within a prison or criminal justice setting
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with good IT capability
• The ability to work proactively, manage your time effectively and prioritise competing demands
• A sound understanding of mental health interventions, services and best practice
• Strong partnership-working skills with internal and external stakeholders
• The ability to manage change in a way that keeps service users at the centre
• A clear commitment to information governance, safeguarding and confidentiality
• A willingness to seek out learning opportunities and contribute to the development of others

What we offer

At Change Grow Live, we Thrive by creating the conditions for people to succeed, feel valued and experience a genuine sense of belonging.

You can expect:

• Enjoy a dedicated weekly Wellness Hour, access to our Wellness Hub, and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme to support your mental and emotional health.
• We’re committed to your development, with extensive training, funded learning, and pathways into senior or specialist roles.
• Benefit from transparent pay, a contributory pension scheme, and additional support through our wellbeing resources.
• Start with 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays(pro rata), increasing to the maximum 30 days over five years of service.
• Join a supportive, values-led team where you’ll feel encouraged and valued from your very first day.
• Where possible, we’re open to discussing working patterns that help you maintain a healthy work–life balance.
• Enjoy discounts on shopping, cinema trips, holidays and more, along with our Refer a Friend scheme.