Job overview

Recovery Connections is a prominent Lived Experience Recovery Organisation (LERO) and registered charity in the North East of England. Led by individuals who have personally navigated substance use, it offers a community-focused approach to drug and alcohol rehabilitation, providing residential care, peer support, and employment and housing assistance.

Role

About the role:

This is a role that’s all about possibility. As an Employment Specialist, you’ll support people in recovery to move towards meaningful, paid employment — often for the first time in a long time.

You’ll work alongside people receiving drug and alcohol treatment, helping them build confidence, identify their strengths, and take practical steps towards work, education or training.

You’ll hold a caseload of around 25 people, supporting them for up to 9 months, with additional in-work support once they’ve secured employment.

At its heart, this role is about belief — belief in people’s potential, in recovery, and in the power of employment to transform lives.

Responsibilities

What You’ll Be Doing

Supporting People into Work

  • Build strong, trusting relationships with people accessing support
  • Complete personalised vocational profiling to understand strengths, goals and ambitions
  • Support with job searching, CVs, applications and interviews
  • Help people overcome barriers such as confidence, wellbeing, travel and benefits

    • Working as Part of a Team

  • Work alongside clinical teams, key workers and partner services
  • Take part in case discussions to ensure joined-up, holistic support
  • Promote employment as a key part of recovery and raise expectations

    • Engaging Employers

  • Build relationships with local employers, colleges and training providers
  • Identify opportunities in both the open and “hidden” labour market
  • Support employers to create inclusive, supportive workplaces
  • Provide advice on reasonable adjustments and ongoing support

    • Supporting Job Retention

  • Provide ongoing support once someone starts work
  • Stay alongside individuals and employers to help sustain employment
  • Respond early if someone is struggling, reducing risk of job loss

    • Our Approach

    You’ll work within the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model — an evidence-based approach that:

  • Focuses on rapid access to paid employment
  • Is led by individual choice and preferences
  • Is fully integrated with treatment teams
  • Provides ongoing, personalised support

    • We work in a way that is:

  • Trauma-informed
  • Strengths-based
  • Non-judgemental
  • Rooted in lived experience

The person

About You

You don’t need to have a perfect background — what matters most is your belief in people and your ability to connect, motivate and support.

We’re looking for someone who:

* Is passionate about helping people overcome barriers and achieve their goals
* Can build strong relationships with a wide range of people
* Is proactive, organised and solution-focused
* Is comfortable working in a fast-paced, sometimes complex environment
* Sees potential where others might see challenges

Skills & Experience

Essential

* Experience supporting people facing barriers to employment
* Strong communication and relationship-building skills
* Ability to manage a caseload and work independently
* Understanding of the challenges faced by people with substance misuse or related needs

Desirable

* Experience working within substance misuse or mental health services
* Knowledge of welfare benefits and employment support systems
* Understanding of the IPS model

What You’ll Bring

* A compassionate, non-judgemental approach
* Confidence in working with both individuals and employers
* Resilience and perseverance
* Strong problem-solving skills
* Commitment to equality, inclusion and recovery