Change Grow Live
Recovery Worker
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Believe in People? So Do We.
At Change Grow Live, we believe that everyone deserves the opportunity to change the direction of their life. As a national charity rooted in compassion, evidence and respect, we work alongside people affected by substance use to help them access the right support, at the right time, in a way that recognises them as individuals.
Our values — Be open. Be compassionate. Be bold. — shape how we work every day, guiding our practice with people who use our services, our partners, and each other.
We are now looking for a Recovery Worker to join our dedicated prison-based team at HMP Elmley, supporting people in custody who are affected by drug and alcohol use. This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience in substance misuse who is ready to take the next step in their career within a values-led organisation that actively invests in learning, development and progression.
Where you will work
- Location: Isle of Sheppey
- Base: HMP Elmley
- Clearance: This role is subject to prison clearance
- Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Please note Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.
About The Role
As a Recovery Worker, you will play a vital role in supporting people from point of entry into the service and throughout their treatment and recovery journey within the secure estate.
Working as part of an integrated health and wellbeing model, you will deliver person-centred, trauma-informed psychosocial interventions, helping individuals to reduce harm, build resilience and prepare for recovery both in custody and on release.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Key responsibilities include
- Supporting service users from initial engagement through treatment and recovery
- Delivering psychosocial interventions as part of the prison Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service
- Working in partnership with healthcare providers and prison colleagues within an integrated model
- Advocating for service users who may be unwilling or unable to engage in treatment
- Proactively following up missed appointments to maximise engagement opportunities
- Contributing to risk management processes, including ACCT procedures where appropriate
- Supporting social (re)integration by promoting recovery, resilience, peer support and self-determination
This role requires professionalism, adaptability and the ability to work confidently within a secure environment.
About You
You will be motivated by making a difference and bring a thoughtful, recovery-focused approach to your work. You will also demonstrate
- A strong understanding of substance misuse and experience working in a similar field
- Ideally, experience within a prison or criminal justice setting
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with good IT capability
- The ability to work proactively, manage your time effectively and prioritise competing demands
- A sound understanding of mental health interventions, services and best practice
- Strong partnership-working skills with internal and external stakeholders
- The ability to manage change in a way that keeps service users at the centre
- A clear commitment to information governance, safeguarding and confidentiality
- A willingness to seek out learning opportunities and contribute to the development of others
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What we offer
At Change Grow Live, we Thrive by creating the conditions for people to succeed, feel valued and experience a genuine sense of belonging.
You can expect
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing by one day per year of service
- A paid weekly Wellness Hour, plus access to our Wellness Hub and Employee Assistance Programme
- A contributory pension scheme
- A wide range of discounts including shopping, cinema and holidays
- A friendly, supportive and inclusive team environment
- Ongoing training, learning and career development opportunities
- A generous Refer a Friend scheme
Together, we foster open, inclusive cultures where people are supported to grow and do their best work.
When completing your application and supporting statement, please clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience align with the requirements outlined in the job description.
As we want to get to know you, not an AI tool. Please make sure your application is written in your own words and genuinely reflects your skills, experience and motivation for this role.
The successful candidate will be required to complete an enhanced DBS check and obtain HMPPS security clearance, Police Vetting or MOJ vetting
This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application
We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications.
CGL points 23 to 28 (£28,557.79 - £32,802.41)
N/A - Outside London Weighting Area
31/7/2026
Rob Mackay | rob.mackay@cgl.org.uk | 01795802124
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills