Substance Misuse Support Worker

AWD online; West of England; On-site; GBP 28,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday Day off

Healthcare Cash Plan

Life Assurance 3x salary

Annual salary review

Refer a Friend scheme

Meals provided during shift

Job summary

AWD online is seeking a Substance Misuse Support Worker in Bristol to support women with complex needs in a residential criminal justice setting.

You will manage caseloads, provide tailored one-to-one support, group work and activity-based interventions to aid recovery and resettlement, working with partners to reduce reoffending.

Qualifications

• Experience with substance misuse, mental health or complex needs.
• Ability to engage via motivational approaches to change.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, risk management and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience delivering one-to-one and group interventions.
• Strong IT and administrative skills.

Responsibilities

• Assess and plan initial substance misuse support for residents.
• Provide one-to-one and group interventions and activities.
• Coordinate referrals to clinical and peer support services.
• Work with Probation, MAPPA and partner agencies for safe move‑on.

Skills

Substance misuse experience

Motivational interviewing

Risk assessment

Communication skills

Team working

Education

Level 3 NVQ/Diploma in Health and Social Care

Job description

Substance Misuse Support Worker

Make a difference by supporting women with complex needs to manage substance misuse, engage in recovery and build safer, healthier futures. This role is officially known as a Criminal Justice Substance Misuse Worker.

If you’ve also worked in the following roles, we’d also like to hear from you: Substance Misuse Worker, Recovery Worker, Drug and Alcohol Worker, Addiction Support Worker, Criminal Justice Worker, Residential Support Worker, Complex Needs Worker, Women’s Support Worker, Key Worker

Occupational Requirement

Applications can only be accepted from women candidates due to the gender-specific nature of the role. This includes all women whose legal gender is female, including those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010

Salary

circa £31,000 per annum

Location

Bristol, South West England

Job Type

Full-Time, Permanent

Working Hours

37 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Job Overview

This is a rewarding opportunity to support women through recovery, resettlement and positive behavioural change within a residential criminal justice setting.

Working as the Substance Misuse Support Worker, you will manage a caseload and provide tailored one-to-one support, groupwork, purposeful activities and partnership-led interventions.

As the Substance Misuse Support Worker, you will help residents understand and manage addiction, engage with recovery services, reduce risks and build healthier coping strategies.

The Substance Misuse Support Worker will also work closely with colleagues, Probation, MAPPA and specialist services to support safe move‑on, community reintegration and reduced reoffending.

Duties

• Assessment and Planning: Complete initial substance misuse assessments and develop individualised support and engagement plans
• Motivational Support: Provide ongoing guidance and interventions that sustain engagement and encourage positive behavioural change
• Recovery Interventions: Deliver one-to-one and group sessions covering harm minimisation, recovery support, relapse prevention and CBT-informed approaches
• Service Referrals: Support residents to access peer‑led recovery networks, clinical and non-clinical services and wider community support
• Partnership Working: Build effective links with substance misuse, health, mental health, community, Probation, MAPPA and specialist agencies
• Risk and Safeguarding: Identify, manage and escape risks, including safeguarding concerns relating to residents, children and vulnerable adults
• Purposeful Activities: Design, lead and participate in activities that reduce barriers, support employment access and promote successful resettlement
• Records and Outcomes: Maintain accurate records, assessments, support plans and case notes while contributing to performance and contractual outcomes
• Learning and Practice: Share knowledge, good practice and ideas with colleagues, mentors and partner agencies

Candidate Requirements

Essential

• Applications can only be accepted from women candidates due to the gender-specific nature of the role. This includes all women whose legal gender is female, including those who hold a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Gender is considered to be a genuine occupational requirement in accordance with the Equality Act 2010
• Experience of working with people affected by substance misuse, mental health difficulties or multiple and complex needs
• Experience of using motivational approaches to engage individuals and support positive change
• Knowledge of harm minimisation, recovery approaches, Naloxone, CBT or DBT principles and trauma-informed practice
• Understanding of resettlement, behavioural change and desistance approaches to reducing reoffending
• Ability to deliver effective one-to-one and group interventions
• Strong communication, organisation, time-management and IT skills, including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Teams
• Ability to manage risk, recognise safeguarding concerns and maintain professional boundaries
• Proactive, solution‑focused approach with the ability to work independently and as part of a team

Desirable

• Experience of groupwork, individual interventions, therapeutic environments, coaching, mentoring, community engagement or partnership networks
• Recent operational experience within the criminal justice sector
• Level 3 NVQ/Diploma in Health and Social Care, or an equivalent relevant qualification
• Relevant substance misuse qualifications or evidence of competencies, such as DANOS, RCGP or equivalent

Benefits

• 199.8 hours annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays, increasing with service, with the option to buy additional leave
• Birthday Day off
• 2 paid Volunteer Days each year
• 5% employer pension contribution, matched by 5% employee contribution
• Healthcare Cash Plan
• Life Assurance, 3 x salary
• Annual salary review
• Refer a Friend scheme
• Access to Benefit Hub with retail discounts, Cycle to Work scheme and additional voluntary benefits
• All meals provided during your shift by in-house cooks

JOB REF: AWDO-P15116