Substance Misuse Recovery Worker

Practice Plus Group; Preston; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading healthcare provider in the UK is seeking a full-time Substance Misuse Recovery Worker to join their team at HMP Thorn Cross. This role involves managing a caseload of patients and providing both group and individualized support to aid recovery from substance misuse. Candidates should have experience in the substance misuse field and a relevant qualification. The role is supported by a comprehensive induction and various development opportunities. A compassionate approach and commitment to patient care are essential.

Benefits

Bespoke induction training

Career development opportunities

24/7 employee assistance helpline

Interest discounts on shopping

Qualifications

• Experience working in community, hospital, or secure settings related to substance misuse.
• Knowledge of multi-disciplinary frameworks in housing, social care, and mental health.
• Experience running group sessions and offering 1-1 support.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of 35-45 patients, offering tailored support and advice.
• Deliver group sessions and participate in planning patient discharge.
• Provide psycho-social interventions and personalized care based on patient feedback.

Skills

Experience in substance misuse

Ability to plan discharge

Competency in delivering group sessions

Compassionate care delivery

Education

Relevant qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

About The Role

UNLOCK YOUR BEST WORK LIFE + MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO EVERY LIFE

We have an exciting opportunity for a Substance Misuse Recovery Worker to join our team here at HMP Thorn Cross. HMP Thorn Cross is a Category D / open prison in Appleton Thorn, Warrington, housing around 430 males.

Join the Recovery Team and empower those who wish to make changes in their behaviour to promote health and well‑being through recovery from drugs and alcohol.

This is a crucial role within the healthcare team, making a real difference to patients, and delivering outstanding care.

Hours

This is a full time role, 37.5 hours per week. Monday - Friday 8.00 - 4.00pm.

Salary

This position is full time—you’ll receive an annual salary of between £29,264 and £33,510 per annum depending on experience.

How will we support you?

• Bespoke induction, including our Introducing Health in Justice training course
• Competency framework
• Regional and national career development opportunities
• Our bespoke Learning Management System to address your learning needs
• Support from the wider team

Candidates are required to have a legal right to work in the UK and, due to the nature of the role, offers of employment will be subject to additional vetting and security checks.

What you’ll be doing

As our new Substance Misuse Recovery Worker, your responsibilities will vary. Some of your duties will include:

• Being responsible for a caseload of patients (around 35‑45) – working closely with them to deliver support, 1‑1s, and advise on relapse prevention, relapse triggers etc.
• Delivering group sessions across the substance misuse service, including SMART, patient forums and harm reduction.
• Planning for prisoner discharge / release, and ensuring ongoing care.
• Delivering outstanding care to psycho‑social patients, seeking out, listening to, and acting on their feedback – ensuring that their care is personalised and tailored to the individual.
• Providing a programme of psycho‑social interventions.
• Providing information and advice on substance misuse, alcohol, smoking cessation, blood borne viruses and safe sex practices.

If you are interested in career development, we have a wide range of opportunities for you to develop your skills and experience, which include both internal and external options for development and learning.

It doesn’t stop there … we also offer:

• Discounts on shopping and leisure activities
• Support to grow in your role and continue your professional development
• 24/7 employee assistance helpline and financial assistance when you need it

What we’ll look for in you

The Health in Justice team at Practice Plus Group makes a real difference across over 53 prisons, young offenders and immigration removal centres. We’re the UK’s leading independent provider of NHS services to over 40,000 patients in secure environments, always putting their needs first, regardless of their background.

Practice Plus Group’s purpose is to Unlock your best work life and we stand by our core values:

• We treat patients and each other as we would like to be treated
• We act with integrity
• We embrace diversity
• We strive to do things better together

We are looking for caring, compassionate but also driven professionals who can help us drive our vision for a fair and inclusive healthcare access to all.

Our new Recovery Worker will:

• Have experience of working within substance misuse, whether in the community, hospital or a secure setting
• Any experience within a multi‑disciplinary framework, which includes housing, social care, healthcare and mental health pathways would be a bonus
• Experience in, or knowledge of SMART would be helpful, as would experience in running group sessions and 1‑1s
• Have a relevant qualification, or equivalent experience

Secure environments are one of the most challenging, yet rewarding places for healthcare professionals to work. If you’re looking for a role where you can develop your existing healthcare skills and learn something new every day in an environment that never stands still, then this could be the right opportunity for you.