Overview

Criminal Justice Recovery Worker – Medway

Permanent

£24,000

**Please note a drivers license and access to your own vehicle is essential for this role**

We are looking for a Criminal Justice Recovery Worker to join Forward Trust in Medway, working within an integrated healthcare framework to support adults (18+) with drug and alcohol support needs.

You will provide client-centred treatment using both harm reduction and abstinence-based approaches, depending on the individual needs of each client. Many of your caseload will come via Criminal Justice referral routes (courts, police custody, probation, and prisons), and you will work closely with partner agencies to ensure clients receive effective support and continuity of care.

Your responsibilities will include:

  • Carrying out assessments, risk management, and creating SMART care plans.
  • Delivering structured 1:1 and group interventions, including treatment programmes.
  • Providing harm reduction advice and guidance.
  • Ensuring throughcare and integration with housing, employment, healthcare, probation, and other services.
  • Building strong links with CJ partner agencies (Police, Probation, CRCs, Prisons).
  • Contributing to Forward Trust and local commissioner outcome targets.
  • Supporting flexibility in service delivery, which may include evening or weekend shifts and occasional travel across East Kent (expenses paid).

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking someone with experience in substance misuse services, particularly with clients involved in the Criminal Justice system.

  • Experience of working in substance misuse services with CJ clients.
  • Experience carrying out comprehensive assessments, risk management, and care planning.
  • Experience working with CJ agencies (police, probation, CRCs, prisons).
  • Experience delivering structured interventions and facilitating groups.
  • Skilled in motivational interviewing techniques (1:1 and groups).
  • Strong IT skills and ability to use Microsoft Office.
  • Knowledge of continuity of care, holistic client needs, and community services.
  • Understanding of safeguarding, equality and diversity, and the issues facing substance misusers.
  • Knowledge of the criminal justice sector and the Recovery Agenda.

 Additional Information

  • The role includes working at Probation offices and undertaking in-reach work in Kent prisons.
  • Travel expenses will be paid.
  • All candidates will be required to undergo prison security vetting and clearance checks before employment can be confirmed.

About Us

We are The Forward Trust, the social enterprise with charitable status that empowers people to break the often interlinked cycles of crime and addiction to move forward with their lives. For more than 25 years we have been working with people to build positive and productive lives, whatever their past. We believe that anyone is capable of lasting change. Our services have supported thousands of people to make positive changes and build productive lives with a job, family, friends and a sense of community.

We are committed to our cause and the work we carry out as a charity. Equally the wellbeing and the employees who work for us are also important. Joining us an employee, we will offer you the following 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 rata’d 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 of up to 6% in the first two years’ service and up to 9% thereafter 
    • Death in Service Payment (2x annual salary) 
    • Critical Illness Insurance (subject to qualifying criteria)
    Diversity at Forward Trust
    The Forward Trust commits to providing opportunities to everyone. We want to ensure we have a diverse team with a range of lived and professional experiences. This includes those with ‘Lived Experience’ of addiction, offending, or homelessness.

    When we recruit, we welcome applications from everyone. This is inclusive of age, gender, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and/or belief, marriage and civil partnerships, pregnancy and maternity and socio-economic background. Where operationally possible, we will consider flexible working requests and make reasonable adjustments for all roles.

    To find out more about Forward’s commitment to being an inclusive employer and our current EDI strategy click here.  


    Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

    We recognise the importance of safeguarding, dependent on role you may be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service Check, details of which will be shared with you at interview.

    If successful in your application, you will be required to provide eligibility to work evidence in line with the ‘Eligibility to Work in the UK’ requirements.

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