Recovery Worker

Durham County Council; North East; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working (home and office)

Local Government Pension Scheme

27 days annual leave (rising to 32)

Job summary

Durham County Council is seeking an Agile Recovery Worker to provide intensive, trauma-informed support to adults across County Durham, helping them achieve positive outcomes and safer living environments. The role is temporary for 12 months (37 hours per week) with hybrid working arrangements and full training provided.

You may work in clients' homes, supporting hoarding and self-neglect, with possible 2:1 supervision, and you will maintain records and collaborate with partner agencies.

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs Grade A* - C or 9 – 4 or equivalent.
• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent.
• Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.
• If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

Responsibilities

• Work directly with individuals in their own homes to support those experiencing hoarding and self-neglect to make positive changes.
• Provide practical and emotional support to create safer and more manageable living environments.
• May work alongside a colleague on a 2:1 basis and may involve lifting, carrying and moving items safely.
• Maintain accurate records and liaise with colleagues and partner agencies, with flexible hours Monday to Friday.

Education

5 GCSEs Grade A* - C or 9 – 4 or equivalent

Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Job description

Do you want to make a real difference to the lives of people experiencing hoarding and self-neglect behaviours?

As an Agile Recovery Worker within our specialist Support & Recovery Breakthrough Team, you will provide intensive, trauma-informed support to adults across County Durham, helping them achieve positive outcomes, improve their wellbeing, and work towards a safer and more independent future. Working alongside a range of professionals, you will deliver person-centred support tailored to individual needs.

This role is temporary for 12 months (37 hours p/w).

WHAT IS INVOLVED?

As a Recovery Worker, you will work directly with individuals in their own homes, supporting people experiencing hoarding and self-neglect behaviours to make positive and lasting changes. This rewarding role requires resilience, professionalism, and a compassionate, person-centred approach.

You will build trusted relationships and provide both practical and emotional support, helping individuals create safer and more manageable living environments. This may include assisting with the organisation, sorting, moving, and, where agreed, removal of belongings as part of an individual support plan.

The role may involve working alongside a colleague on a 2:1 basis, depending on assessed needs and risks, and some physical activity such as lifting, carrying, and moving items safely. Full training, PPE, equipment, and support will be provided, with access to a service vehicle where required.

You will maintain accurate records, work closely with colleagues and partner agencies, and manage your workload flexibly to meet the needs of the service and the people we support. Hours are worked flexibly Monday to Friday.

You’ll benefit from strong management support and opportunities for ongoing training and development.

If you would like an informal discussion about this post, please contact: Joanne Roche, Operations Supervisor Mobile - 07795020098, Tel – 03000269071 or via email [e-mail]

WHAT WILL I NEED?

• 5 GCSE’s Grade A* - C or 9 – 4 or equivalent or
• Relevant NVQ Level 3 or equivalent

Please refer to the attached person specification for the full criteria.

If successful, you will be required to apply for a Disclosure and Barring Service Enhanced Disclosure.

OUR COMMITMENT TO SAFEGUARDING

Durham County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all employees and volunteers to share this commitment. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore if successful in your application, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be sought inclusive of a check of the Adults Barred List, due to the position working in regulated activity.

Applicants should be aware that the DBS check will disclose both spent and unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands and warnings, in line with current legislation and will confirm whether an individual is barred from working with adults.

INTERVIEWS

Interviews will be held on 17th September 2026.

We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for applicants that can show they meet all the essential criteria and have indicated they have a disability, are a looked after young person, care leaver or a veteran.

OUR OFFER TO YOU

We offer a competitive rewards package that includes attractive salaries, a generous annual leave entitlement of 27 days (rising to 32 after five years’ continuous local government service), membership of the excellent contributory career average Local Government Pension Scheme, and a range of flexible working arrangements including hybrid working (home and office) where applicable. Explore the full range of rewards and benefits on our website

Rewards and benefits are subject to individual terms and conditions.

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION

We are a proud equal opportunities employer and believe a diverse workforce brings fresh ideas and drives service improvement. We welcome applications from everyone and make employment decisions based on skills and ability. As a Disability Confident Leader, we actively encourage applications from disabled and neurodivergent people and offer support throughout the recruitment process.

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