Recovery Worker

Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT) – Essex

Help People Build More Independent and Fulfilling Lives

Do you believe in the power of recovery and person-centred support?

We're looking for a passionate, resilient and proactive Recovery Worker to join our Specialist Community Forensic Team (SCFT), delivered by Phoenix Futures in partnership with the NHS.

This rewarding role offers the opportunity to work alongside individuals with mental health needs, helping them access opportunities, build confidence, strengthen community connections and achieve their personal recovery goals.

Working as part of a specialist multi-disciplinary team, you'll provide practical and emotional support, helping people navigate services, overcome barriers and improve their quality of life. Every day is different, and you'll play a key role in empowering individuals to make positive changes and maintain their wellbeing within their local communities.

Hours

22.5 hours per week

Location

Billericay based with travel across Essex

About the Role

As a Recovery Worker, you'll work alongside individuals transitioning from secure settings to services in the community. Along with other healthcare professionals and partner agencies to support successful community living and improve quality of life.

You'll build trusting, professional relationships with individuals and provide practical and emotional support that enables them to:

• Transition safely from secure mental health settings into the community
• Access housing, healthcare, education, employment and social opportunities
• Develop independent living skills and confidence
• Manage risks and maintain positive recovery outcomes
• Build meaningful routines, social connections and purpose
• Relapse prevention planning
• Harm minimisation advice
• Drug testing
• Group work

This role involves working collaboratively with NHS services, social care teams, housing providers, criminal justice agencies and other community partners to ensure people receive the support they need to thrive.

Who We're Looking For

This role is ideal for someone with experience supporting individuals with complex needs within health, social care, mental health, substance use, criminal justice or related services.

You'll be someone who can balance empathy with professional boundaries and remain calm, solution-focused and resilient when working with challenging situations.

Essential Skills and Experience:

• Experience working within health, social care, mental health, substance use, criminal justice or a related sector
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills
• Ability to manage your own workload and work independently when required
• Experience working in partnership with multiple agencies and professionals
• A person-centred approach that promotes dignity, independence and recovery
• Strong organisational and record-keeping skills

You Will Be:

• Passionate about recovery and improving outcomes for vulnerable people
• Confident engaging with individuals who present complex needs and risks
• Adaptable, innovative and able to respond to changing circumstances
• A collaborative team player who can also work autonomously
• Motivated by making a genuine difference to people's lives

The role requires regular travel across multiple community locations in Essex including Southend and Thurrock, some of which are not easily accessible by public transport. For this reason, a car is essential for this role.

What We Offer

We recognise the value of our people and are committed to supporting your wellbeing and development.

You'll benefit from:

• Starting salary of £15,778 (FTE £26,298), with the opportunity to access potential yearly salary increments subject to appraisal, meaning potential salary increase up to £16,800 (FTE £28,000)
• 25 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays, increasing with service to a maximum of 30 days (pro rata)
• Occupational sick pay scheme
• Access to eye-care vouchers
• Regular wellbeing activities and support initiatives
• Access to our 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme
• Ongoing learning and professional development through our dedicated learning platform, PXL
• Opportunities for career progression within Phoenix Futures

About Phoenix Futures

Phoenix Futures is a national charity and leading provider of recovery-focused services, with 60 years of experience supporting people to overcome complex challenges and build fulfilling lives.

Our Specialist Community Forensic Team is delivered in partnership with NHS colleagues and supports individuals with complex mental health needs to move from secure settings into community-based support.

Across Essex, we have a strong reputation for delivering high-quality, person-centred services that improve outcomes for people with complex needs.

We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected and able to bring their authentic selves to work. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those with lived experience.

Please note, we will be assessing applications as they are submitted and may close this role should we find sufficient applicants with which to make our shortlist. As such, we would advise applying as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.