Recovery Specialist

Southdown; St Leonards; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 32,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health cost cash-back scheme

Interest-free loans

Access to the Easit Network

Blue Light card

Free advice and counselling service

25 days paid holiday plus bank holiday

Job summary

Southdown is seeking a Recovery Specialist to support clients in Hastings as part of Staying Well Hastings, a seven days a week crisis support service.

You will use the Recovery Model to create safety plans and help clients access mental health services, resources and community supports. The role is a 6 months fixed term contract, 21–30 hours per week, with a salary of £28,640 per year, paid pro rata and mandatory training held in Lewes during office hours.

Qualifications

• Experience of mental health challenges.
• Good understanding of working in partnership to support people in a community setting.
• Knowledge of mental health services and a desire to support people in their mental health recovery work.
• A DBS check will be paid for by Southdown.

Responsibilities

• Provide mental health support and recovery planning in a social setting or Crisis Café delivery.
• Create safety plans using the Recovery Model and explore services with clients.
• Attend mandatory face-to-face training sessions held primarily in Lewes, East Sussex during standard office hours.
• Support clients in staying well in Hastings as part of Staying Well Hastings.

Skills

Mental health experience

Partnership working

Knowledge of services

Job description

Recovery Specialist

Application Deadline: 29 October 2026

Department: MHHS

Employment Type: Fixed Term Contract

Location: East Sussex - Hastings

Reporting To: Team Manager

Compensation: £28,640 / year

Description

Location: Hastings

Salary: £28,640 per year plus pro rata

Hours: 21 - 30 hours per week

Contract:6 Months Fixed Term

What you’ll be doing:

Southdown is one of the leading providers of mental health services in Sussex. Staying Well is an innovative out of hours service supporting clients experiencing a mental health crisis. We provide crisis intervention to increase resilience and coping skills, empowering clients to safely manage their wellbeing within the community.

Staying Well Hastings is open 7 days per week (including bank holidays), from 5pm on weekdays and 3pm at weekends.

As a Recovery Specialist, you’ll provide mental health support and hope to clients in a social setting or Crisis Café delivery model. You will use the Recovery Model to create safety plans and explore mental health services or resources with clients.

It is a requirement of this role to attend mandatory face‑to‑face training sessions held primarily in Lewes, East Sussex during standard office hours. Training typically takes place approximately four to five times per year.

This role would suit candidates who want to expand on a career in mental health or develop skills working within a community setting to support people experiencing mental health challenges.

If you are passionate about providing recovery focused support to enable clients to reach their goals, we’d love to hear from you. We welcome applications from candidates with previous relevant experience such as Mental Health Support Worker, Support Worker, Social Prescriber, Case Manager, Social Worker, Care Coordinator, Mental Health Specialist or Service Coordinator.

Perks and benefits

• Health cost cash-back scheme: access to our health insurance scheme which covers dental, optical, physical therapies and other medical treatments with the option to add greater levels of cover.
• Interest-free loans: assistance with larger costs that arise such as tenancy deposits, season travel tickets or buying a car.
• Access to the Easit Network: discounts and incentives on train, bus and car journeys such as 15% off eligible daily and season rail tickets.
• Blue Light card: access to discount services for the social care sector with savings across thousands of online shops, restaurants, and high‑street vendors.
• Free advice and counselling service: confidential emotional support and practical guidance from our independent telephone service.
• 25 days paid holiday plus bank holidays.

Knowledge, skills and experience

What you’ll need for the role:

• Experience of mental health challenges
• You’ll need a good understanding of working in partnership to support people in a community setting
• You have knowledge of mental health services and a desire to support people in their mental health recovery work
• A Standard Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, which will be paid for by Southdown

Training:

You’ll receive a comprehensive induction followed up with regular training from our award winning in house team. We’ll help you to gain valuable experience, continually develop your skills and build a great career with the largest provider of housing, care and support in Sussex.