Recovery Navigators

The Forward Trust; Hull and East Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A social enterprise seeks a dedicated individual to support men on probation in transforming their lives. You will engage with clients to promote their recovery and assist in bridging gaps with treatment services. The ideal candidate will have experience in the criminal justice sector, excellent communication skills, and the ability to manage a high caseload. This role offers flexible working and various employee benefits, including training opportunities and a contributory pension scheme.

Benefits

Flexible working

Training and development opportunities

Simply Health Cashback Scheme

Season Ticket Loan Scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Crisis Loan Scheme

Electric Car Scheme

Wellbeing Days

Access to Blue Light Card

Annual Leave benefits

Contributory Pension Scheme

Death in Service Payment

Critical Illness Insurance

Qualifications

• Experience delivering 1:1 and group-work interventions.
• Demonstrable skills in managing high caseloads and completing risk assessments.
• Knowledge of GDPR and commitment to confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Improve engagement of people on probation into treatment services.
• Carry a caseload of adult male prison leavers and community orders.
• Maintain accurate record keeping and deliver various sessions.

Skills

Knowledge of criminal justice sector

Experience in substance misuse

Case management

Communication skills

Ability to set professional boundaries

Job description

We are Forward, the social enterprise that empowers people to break the cycle of crime and addiction to move forward and live fulfilling lives. We deliver a range of MOJ Commissioned Rehabilitative services (CRS) directly for Probation in three key areas: Accommodation, Personal Wellbeing and Dependency & Recovery, supporting men 18+ who are under probation supervision to achieve transformational change and long‑term integration into society.

Responsibilities

• Improve engagement of people on probation into treatment services and bridge the gap between probation and substance misuse services by offering practical assistance and ongoing support.
• Carry a diverse caseload of adult male prison leavers and those on community orders within the National Probation Service, supporting the implementation of their action plan and recovery journey.
• Complete comprehensive assessments, create collaborative action plans and deliver one‑to‑one, group work or virtual sessions while maintaining accurate record keeping.
• Provide support and advocacy (physical help with referral forms, negotiations with other providers, attending appointments, making phone calls and onward referrals).
• Deliver advice, guidance and information through printed documents, one‑to‑one sessions, group sessions or online sessions, enabling the person on probation to act on the information.
• Deliver interventions that empower and upskill people on probation to understand and manage their dependency and recovery needs, ensuring access to statutory services and reducing re‑offending.
• Provide multi‑skilled support across all complexity levels, work across London and demonstrate flexibility and resilience against changing demand.
• Potentially become a subject matter expert in particular vulnerable groups (e.g., BAME or chemsex) and support colleagues.
• Adhere to the targets set by Forward and the local commissioners.
• Maintain co‑operative working relationships with partner agencies and probation staff; be willing to work out‑of‑office when required.
• Work primarily Monday‑Friday 09:00‑17:00, with occasional head‑office training or support visits. All probation‑based roles require enhanced DBS and HMPPS security vetting (which may take over 3 months). All offers are subject to receiving both vetting and DBS clearances.

Qualifications & Experience

• Knowledge and experience of the criminal justice sector.
• Excellent experience in the substance misuse field and/or a related field.
• Demonstrable experience managing high caseloads, carrying out risk/comprehensive assessments, SMART action plans and effective case records.
• Experience delivering both 1:1 and group‑work interventions using motivational techniques and trauma‑informed approaches.
• Experience working with treatment and/or healthcare services.
• Ability to set and stick to professional boundaries.
• Ability to work effectively with key partners to deliver outcomes.
• Demonstrates the ability to organise workload, ensuring effective time management and prioritisation to meet targets.
• Understanding of, and commitment to, the principles of equal opportunity and GDPR, including client confidentiality.
• Strong communication skills with people from a range of backgrounds in a sensitive, supportive and professional manner.

Benefits

• Flexible working
• 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‑rated 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 up to 6% in the first two years and up to 9% thereafter
• Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary)
• Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion

Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience of addiction, offending or homelessness. This includes age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, and socio‑economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles. For more on our inclusive employment practice and EDI strategy, please click here.

Screening and Vetting

Eligible candidates will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS and HMPPS security check, and provide evidence of eligibility to work in the UK. The clearance process may take several months; offers are contingent upon successful completion of these checks.