Complex Needs Recovery Worker - Thurrock

Are you passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives?

The Forward Trust is looking for a Complex Needs Drug & Alcohol Recovery Worker to join our innovative Thurrock service. This is a full-time role (35 hours/week) and requires a car to support outreach across the community.

You’ll be supporting individuals facing overlapping challenges including substance misuse, mental illness, homelessness, trauma, domestic abuse, offending, and learning disabilities. Using a trauma-informed, harm reduction approach, you’ll guide people safely through detox and rehabilitation pathways, advocate for them across multiple systems, and deliver training to local professionals.

What you’ll do:

• Manage a caseload of complex-need clients, including hard-to-reach individuals and those with learning disabilities.
• Support people in refuges, hostels, supported accommodation, and community settings.
• Deliver harm reduction interventions, structured support, and drug & alcohol awareness training.
• Navigate individuals safely through Tier 4 detox and residential rehab pathways.
• Represent Forward Trust at stakeholder events and multi-agency meetings.
• Work closely with mental health, housing, probation, and social care colleagues.

What you’ll bring:

• Experience supporting vulnerable adults or people with complex needs.
• Knowledge of substance misuse, harm reduction, and detox/rehab processes.
• Strong communication, advocacy, resilience, and flexibility.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Knowledge of Thurrock and/or lived experience of recovery is desirable.

At The Forward Trust, you’ll be part of a supportive, values-driven team making a tangible impact on individuals, families, and the wider Thurrock community.

You’ll have access to specialist training in trauma-informed practice, harm reduction, and psychosocial interventions, alongside opportunities for professional development and career progression.

Every day, you’ll see the difference your work makes in helping people overcome barriers and build better futures.

Please see attached Job Description for full details