North East Recovery Navigator

North East Recovery Navigator
Location: London (Newham, Redbridge & Waltham Forest, Barking, Dagenham & Havering)
Salary: £27,000 per annum
Vacancy Type: Permanent
We are looking for a Recovery Navigator to join our Dependency and Recovery Services team, supporting people on probation to engage with substance misuse treatment and community services.
Working as part of a flexible, multi-disciplinary team, you will be based across probation delivery units in Newham, Redbridge & Waltham Forest, and Barking, Dagenham & Havering. This is a predominantly in-person, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm role, with some travel and flexibility required.
You will manage a diverse caseload of adult male prison leavers and people serving community orders, helping them navigate their recovery journey and bridge the gap between probation and community substance misuse services.
Your role will include:
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* Managing a varied caseload, including clients with low, medium and high levels of need and motivation.
* Completing comprehensive and risk assessments and developing collaborative SMART action plans.
* Delivering structured 1:1, group and virtual interventions using motivational and trauma-informed approaches.
* Providing practical support, advocacy, advice and guidance to help clients access and engage with treatment and other services.
* Making onward referrals and working closely with probation, treatment, healthcare and other partner agencies.
* Supporting clients to develop the skills, confidence and motivation to manage their dependency and recovery needs.
* Maintaining accurate case records and working towards service and commissioner targets.
* Supporting clients at key transition points, including release from prison and engagement with community services.
You will play a key role in bridging the gap between probation and existing substance misuse services, ensuring clients receive the right support at the right time and helping to reduce the risk of relapse and re-offending.
There may also be opportunities to develop specialist knowledge as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in particular vulnerable groups or areas of need, supporting colleagues across the wider team. Please be advised you may be required to travel between locations, therefore, access to your own vehicle would be beneficial.
About You
We are looking for someone who is experienced, organised and passionate about supporting people affected by substance misuse and involvement with the criminal justice system.
You will have experience of managing high caseloads, completing assessments and developing effective SMART action plans, alongside delivering 1:1 and group interventions using motivational and trauma-informed approaches.
You will bring:
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* Knowledge and experience of working within the criminal justice sector.
* Excellent experience in substance misuse or a related field.
* Experience of managing high caseloads, risk and comprehensive assessments, action planning and case recording.
* Experience working with treatment and/or healthcare services.
* Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to work effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
* The ability to establish and maintain professional boundaries.
* Excellent organisation, time management and prioritisation skills.
* The ability to work collaboratively with probation and partner agencies to achieve positive outcomes.
* A commitment to equality, confidentiality and GDPR requirements.
Most importantly, you will be non-judgemental, resilient and motivated to help people make positive changes. You will be confident working with individuals who may be hard to engage, including those with complex needs, and able to balance empathy and encouragement with clear professional boundaries.
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
* Support for Families – We support our employees through every stage of family life by offering enhanced maternity and paternity pay for eligible employees who have completed 26 weeks' continuous service, alongside family-friendly policies and a supportive, inclusive workplace.
* Training and development opportunities
* Simply Health Cashback Scheme (optional)
* Season Ticket Loan Scheme
Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Forward Trust, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application