Overview

Domestic Abuse Outreach Recovery Worker – East Kent

Permanent

£24,000

We are seeking a Substance Misuse & Domestic Abuse Support Worker to provide specialist outreach support to survivors of domestic abuse who are also experiencing drug or alcohol issues. You will work across Domestic Abuse Refuges and community settings in East Kent, ensuring service users receive coordinated, holistic support tailored to their unique needs.

Collaboration will be central to your role, you will work closely with Independent Domestic Abuse Advisors (IDVAs) and both substance misuse and domestic abuse services to ensure seamless care pathways. You will also upskill frontline workers, raise awareness of the project, and act as an advocate for survivors, representing their needs and voices with partner agencies.

Key Responsibilities

  • Deliver trauma-informed outreach support to survivors of domestic abuse with substance misuse needs.
  • Risk assess clients and refer appropriately to IDVA services and other support networks.
  • Manage a small, intensive caseload, ensuring clients receive high-quality treatment and wraparound support.
  • Carry out comprehensive assessments, risk management plans, and SMART care plans.
  • Deliver structured one-to-one and group interventions, using motivational interviewing techniques.
  • Facilitate group sessions to support recovery and resilience.
  • Promote the service, increasing awareness and referrals among partner agencies.
  • Work collaboratively with local refuges, IDVAs, and external agencies to maintain strong referral networks.
  • Represent the needs of survivors in multi-agency settings, advocating for their safety and well-being.
  • Contribute to service monitoring and achievement of targets set by Forward Trust and commissioners.
  • Maintain accurate case records and report on outcomes.
  • Work flexibly, including some evenings/weekends, and travel to other projects as needed to ensure continuity of care.

About You

Essential Skills & Experience:

  • Experience working within substance misuse services.
  • Experience completing assessments, risk management plans, and SMART care plans.
  • Experience delivering structured interventions to service users.
  • Experience facilitating groups and using motivational interviewing in both 1:1 and group settings.
  • Strong IT and case recording skills.
  • Understanding of continuity of care, holistic care needs, and community services.
  • Experience promoting and supporting Equality and Diversity.

Essential Knowledge:

  • Knowledge of the issues facing people with substance misuse needs.
  • Knowledge of the Recovery Agenda.
  • Knowledge of safeguarding procedures.

Essential Qualifications:

  • Level 3 Diploma in Substance Misuse (or equivalent).

Desirable:

  • Strong knowledge of issues faced by survivors of domestic abuse.
  • Understanding and commitment to the 12-step recovery process.
  • Knowledge of community support services and the criminal justice sector.
  • Personal lived experience of addiction (minimum 3 years clean) or imprisonment (released at least 5 years ago).
  • Previous experience working in a community or prison setting.
  • Experience utilising clinical supervision.
  • Knowledge of NHS health and wellbeing outcomes.

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
  • 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)
    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.

    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.  


    Employee Screening and Eligibility to Work

    We recognise the importance of safeguarding, 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.

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