Addictions Counsellor

Forward Trust; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Training and development opportunities

Simply Health Cashback Scheme (option)

Cycle to work scheme

25 days annual leave rising to 30 with

Contributory Pension Scheme – employer

Death in Service Payment

Critical Illness Insurance (subject to

Job summary

The Forward Trust is seeking an experienced Addictions Counsellor for a part-time position (21 hours per week) at Clouds House. The role focuses on delivering structured individual and group interventions within a 12 Step-informed, trauma-informed framework to support clients on their recovery journey.

You will work within a multidisciplinary team, contribute to safeguarding and documentation, and uphold high professional standards while promoting sustainable recovery and positive change.

Qualifications

• Qualified counsellor with Level 5 qualification or above.
• Experience in residential addiction treatment settings.

Responsibilities

• Deliver safe, effective, person-centred therapeutic interventions.
• Provide structured individual and group interventions.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to maintain continuity of care.
• Support safeguarding, safe medication processes, and accurate record keeping.

Skills

Empathy

Trauma-informed approach

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Level 5 counselling qualification or above

Job description

Please be advised this is a part-time vacancy 21 hours per week, there is requirement to work two weekend days per month

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and compassionate Addictions Counsellor to join the team at Clouds House, working as part of our integrated One Team approach.

You will deliver safe, effective and person-centred therapeutic interventions to support clients throughout their recovery journey. Working within the Clouds House model, 12 Step-informed principles and trauma-informed practice, you will provide structured individual and group interventions and help clients develop the skills and recovery capital needed to build a sustainable life beyond residential treatment.

Collaboration is at the heart of the role. You will work closely with colleagues across Support, Facilities, Admissions and other multidisciplinary teams to maintain continuity of care and a positive therapeutic environment.

You will also contribute to safeguarding, safe medication processes, infection prevention and control, accurate and timely record keeping, and continuous improvement across the service. You will be expected to uphold Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles and maintain high professional and clinical standards at all times.

About You

You will be a qualified and experienced counsellor with a Level 5 counselling qualification or above and experience working within a residential addiction treatment setting. You will have experience delivering structured individual and group therapeutic interventions and be confident working as part of a multidisciplinary team.

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

• Experience working within 12 Step residential treatment settings.
• Experience supporting people with complex needs or dual-diagnosis presentations.
• A strong understanding of trauma-informed and person-centred approaches.
• Excellent communication, teamwork and professional relationship‑building skills.
• A commitment to safeguarding, confidentiality, accurate record keeping and professional standards.
• A genuine commitment to supporting people to achieve sustainable recovery and positive change.

Above all, you will share our One Team values, working collaboratively and openly with colleagues and recognising that every interaction contributes to creating a safe, supportive and effective recovery environment.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following benefits -

• Support for Families – We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family‑friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace. If you'd like more information about our family‑friendly benefits, please contact our Recruitment Team at [e-mail]
• Training and development opportunities
• Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
• Season Ticket Loan Scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Crisis Loan Scheme
• Electric Car Scheme
• 3 x Wellbeing Days (pro rata'd for part time employees)
• Access to Blue Light Card
• 25 days (rising to 30 with length of service) Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays
• Contributory Pension Scheme – Employer matched contributions of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.

Diversity at Forward Trust

The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness. Some of our roles may require a minimum period of sustained recovery (normally around years). This is assessed on a case‑base​d basis, and exceptions may be considered depending on the role and individual circumstances.

When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio‑economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here .

We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.

Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

Dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.

Our Commitment to Safeguarding

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.