Opiate Recovery Worker

Opiate Recovery Worker – Croydon

At Change Grow Live, we know that people are capable of change – and we’re here to support them every step of the way.

Whether someone is taking their first steps towards recovery or working to maintain the progress they’ve made, we offer respectful, person-centred support tailored to each individual’s goals. Every day, we put our values of being open, compassionate and bold into practice to help people make meaningful, lasting changes in their lives.

Are you wanting to develop your career in positively impacting the lives of individuals who use our Croydon service? If you are a team player genuinely interested in making a difference, we invite you to join our vibrant team.

As an Opiate Recovery Worker, you’ll play a key role in helping people build healthier futures. You’ll work closely with individuals affected by opiate use, supporting them through their treatment and recovery journeys with compassion, consistency, and care.

Croydon is a vibrant and diverse borough in South London, known for its strong sense of community, excellent transport links, and mix of urban and green spaces. With a rich cultural scene, a growing town centre, and access to both central London and the countryside, Croydon offers a dynamic and supportive environment to live and work in. The area is home to a wide range of communities, and our service reflects this diversity — we work in partnership with local organisations to ensure that our support is accessible, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the people we serve. Working in Croydon means being part of a committed team making a real difference in people’s lives every day.

Full Time Salary Range: £27,861.26 - £32,002.35 (plus £2,195.72 Outer London Weighting) pro rata

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Contract: Permanent

What you’ll be doing:

• Provide unwavering support to service users from their initial contact with our service throughout their treatment and recovery journey.
• Implement tailored interventions aimed at reducing the harm caused by opiate use, either through group sessions or one-on-one engagement.
• Ensure service users receive a comprehensive, recovery-focused detoxification plan, including pre-detox preparation and post-care support.
• Collaborate with other organisations and the community to enhance the recovery resources available to service users by referring them to mutual aid groups and other networks.
• Advocate for the involvement of family members, service users, and the community.
• Serve as a voice for service users in accessing partnership services.
• Work closely with service users to facilitate their social (re)integration, enabling them to lead fulfilling and purpose-driven lives. This includes promoting recovery, resilience, peer support, and self-determination.

About You
We’re looking for someone who’s:

• Passionate about supporting people affected by substance use.
• Knowledgeable about interventions and approaches for people using opiates.
• A confident communicator – in person and in writing – with strong IT skills.
• Able to manage their own time, juggle priorities, and work effectively on their own initiative.
• Collaborative and positive, with the ability to build trusting relationships across a diverse team and network of partners.
• Adaptable, resilient, and always focused on what’s best for the person they’re supporting.
• Committed to continuous learning and best practice in safeguarding, mental health, and information governance.

What We Offer

• 25 days’ holiday (rising by 1 day each year to 30 days after 5 years), plus bank holidays.
• Weekly wellness hour and access to our staff wellbeing hub.
• Contributory pension scheme and Employee Assistance Programme.
• Retail discounts, travel offers, and a great Refer a Friend scheme.
• A warm, inclusive team culture with opportunities for training and career development.

Interested?
We’d love to hear from you. Please tell us in your application how your experience aligns with the Job Description and Person Specification.

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

If you require sponsorship, please note that this role is not eligible for a Health and Care Worker visa. You may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route but must meet the minimum salary requirements for the role. You can find out more here Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)