Overview

North East Recovery Navigator – Newham, Redbridge & Waltham Forest, Barking, Dagenham & Havering – London

Permanent

£27,000

About the Role

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:

  • 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:

  • 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. If you’d like more information about our family-friendly benefits, please contact our Recruitment Team at recruitment@forwardtrust.org.uk 
  • 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)
    Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.
    Please note that remote roles may require occasional travel for site visits, training and meetings.
     
    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. Please note that some of our roles may require a minimum period of sustained recovery (normally around 3 years). This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and exceptions may be considered depending on the role and individual circumstances.

    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.  

    We want our recruitment process to be accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know.
     
    Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work
    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.

     
    Our Commitment to Safeguarding
    We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk. Forward Trust follow safer recruitment practices and support a culture of openness and accountability.

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