Recovery Online Counsellor

Forward Trust; Salisbury; Remote; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Forward Trust is recruiting a Recovery Online Counsellor (Qualified) to join the National Recovery Online Programme Team. The role is predominantly home-based with UK-wide remote delivery and occasional travel for training or events.

You will conduct assessments, develop recovery-focused care plans, and facilitate online individual and group sessions using the 12-Step Approach. A Level 4 counselling qualification or equivalent is essential.

Qualifications

• A Level 4 Counselling qualification or above is essential.
• Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Deliver structured treatment interventions and online programme components.
• Carry out assessments and care planning.
• Perform risk assessments and implement risk management plans.

Skills

Assessment delivery

Risk management

Group facilitation

Online delivery

Caseload management

Communication skills

Equality & inclusion

Education

A Level 4 Counselling qualification or above

Diploma in Health and Social Care or equivalent

Tools

Microsoft Office

Video conferencing

Client information management systems

Job description

Recovery Online Counsellor (Qualified)

Location: Head Office / Remote

Salary: £29,411 per annum

Working pattern: Full-time / 35 hours per week – flexibility required, including occasional evening and weekend work.

Are you passionate about supporting people to make positive, lasting changes in their lives?

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate Recovery Online Counsellor to join The Forward Trust's National Recovery Online Programme Team, connected to Clouds House.

Recovery Online is a national service supporting adults aged 18 and over who are experiencing drug, alcohol or behavioural addictions. We provide an integrated programme of interventions designed to meet the holistic needs of individuals and support them on their recovery journey.

You will deliver The Forward Trust's Online Programme, which is based on the 12-Step Approach and delivered entirely online. You will play an important role in helping service users develop the skills, confidence and support networks needed to achieve sustainable recovery.

Working closely with the Senior Recovery Online Counsellor and Regional Service Manager, you will deliver a structured treatment programme, including assessments, care planning, risk management and therapeutic group facilitation. You may also be asked to support the delivery of other connected online programmes.

Remote working and travel expectations

This is a predominantly home-based, remote-working role, offering the opportunity to deliver recovery support to individuals across the UK without the requirement to work from a fixed office location on a daily basis.

However, applicants should be aware that remote working does not mean the role is entirely location-independent. There will be an expectation to travel occasionally to attend mandatory training, team meetings, organisational events and other business-related activities. You may also be required, with reasonable notice, to travel to other projects or locations to support service delivery and ensure continuity of care.

Please note that travel and associated costs for attending training will not be reimbursed by The Forward Trust. Candidates should take this into consideration when deciding whether to apply.

Some flexibility is also required to meet the needs of the service, which offers evening and weekend provision for individuals who are unable to attend daytime sessions.

About you

We are looking for someone who is compassionate, approachable and committed to supporting people affected by addiction to achieve meaningful and lasting recovery.

You will have experience delivering structured treatment interventions and be confident working with individuals who may have complex needs, including substance misuse, behavioural addictions and mental health challenges.

You will bring a sound understanding of recovery-focused practice and the ability to build positive, professional therapeutic relationships. You will be comfortable facilitating both individual and group interventions online, engaging service users and motivating them to make positive changes.

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Qualifications

• A Level 4 Counselling qualification or above (essential).
• A Diploma in Health and Social Care, or equivalent (desirable).

Knowledge, skills and experience

• Experience conducting comprehensive assessments and developing recovery-focused care plans.
• Experience undertaking risk assessments and implementing appropriate risk management plans.
• Experience delivering psychosocial interventions within structured treatment programmes, with an understanding of how these support positive recovery outcomes.
• Experience facilitating therapeutic groups and delivering one-to-one interventions.
• Experience working with individuals affected by substance misuse, addiction, mental health needs or complex presentations.
• Experience managing a caseload, maintaining accurate records and delivering interventions in line with agreed care plans.
• An understanding of the 12-Step Approach and its application within recovery-focused services.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to engage, motivate and support individuals in both individual and group settings.
• The ability to build and maintain effective therapeutic relationships while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
• Good negotiation, influencing and problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify key issues and respond effectively.
• A good understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, with sensitivity to the different experiences and needs of the people we support.
• Confidence using Microsoft Office, video conferencing platforms and digital systems, with the ability to support service users who may need help developing their digital skills.
• Experience using client information management systems.

A good understanding of equality, diversity and inclusion, with sensitivity to the different experiences and needs of the people we support.

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.