Job Description

We saw that social care reform was coming, and we acted. We transformed our service, restructured our teams, changed how we work with each other and our partners, and we improved.
We believe one simple thing: that everyday counts and everyone matters.
Over the last couple of years, we've been on a journey that has seen Ofsted has our Children's Services as 'Good' with 'Outstanding Leadership', and more recently has inspected our SEND provision (Area full SEND inspection) and how we work with partner agencies (Joint Target Area Inspection). In every inspection Ofsted has recognised our commitment and dedication to delivering the best outcomes for children, young people and families.
But we're ambitious for our children and young people, so our journey continues.
We are looking for a Permanent, Full-Time Adult-Facing - Substance Misuse Recovery Worker to join Southampton City Council (SCC) in the Family Help Service.
About the Service:
The Family Help Service works with families across Southampton to provide a wide range of support and interventions to help children develop and thrive safely with their families wherever possible. This service works with families right through from early help support, through to support at Child in Need and Child Protection levels, and in Care Proceedings.
We collaborate with health, education, social care, and voluntary sector partners in innovative, multi-agency workspaces, making sure families receive the right support at the right time and children are protected from harm.
About the role:
As an Adult-Facing Substance Misuse Recovery Worker, you will work with parents who have challenges with problematic substance use, including both alcohol and drugs, that are impacting upon the care of their children. You will provide a variety of practical support, including relapse prevention, safety planning, group work and drug testing.
In this role, you will make a real difference for families in Southampton by helping children grow up safely and nurturing stronger family networks. You will also be part of a service that leads the way in innovative social care reform, using multi-agency workspaces and creative approaches to improve outcomes for children and families.
Duties include:

• Build trusting relationships with parents and understand how substance misuse can impact family life.
• Utilise your skills and specialist experience to support adults on their journey towards abstinence and safer relationships with substances, to reduce risk of harm and enable them to safely care for their children.
• Deliver tailored, evidence-based support underpinned by motivational interviewing techniques - through one-to-one and group sessions.
• Support assessments and contribute to plans that help children safely remain with their families.
• Collaborate with multi-agency partners, including key voluntary agencies to deliver high-quality support.
• Maintain accurate records, participate in meetings, and uphold safeguarding responsibilities.

About you:
You will have:

• At least a NVQ Level 3 or equivalent in a relevant field, i.e. Health and Social care or Advice & Guidance.
• Experience of working with adults who misuse substances - including drugs and alcohol and the ability to provide expert advice, guidance and support in this area.
• Experience and confidence in delivering appropriate interventions to support adults with problematic substance misuse - including training or experience in motivational interviewing.
• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks, assessing and managing risk and effective multi-agency working.
• Strong communication, collaboration, and digital record-keeping skills.
• Commitment to trauma-informed, strengths-based and person-centred practice.

What we can offer you:
Salary: The salary band for this role is 32,061 to 36,362. The starting salary is 32,061 with annual progression through the salary bands.
Here at SCC we offer a range of perks and benefits, including:

• Excellent

with 16.8% employer contribution. * Death in service benefit of x3 salary and optional additional voluntary contribution.

• Generous holiday 25-31 days, based on role and service.
• Flexible and hybrid working options (role-dependent).
• Continuous professional development, coaching, and mentoring.
• Employee wellbeing support including Employee Assistance Programme and Mental Health First Aiders.
• Retail discounts, local sports memberships, and sustainable travel benefits.
• Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer.

For further information on our benefits package please visit:
Contact details for informal discussion:
For further information regarding the Adult-Facing Substance Misuse Recovery Worker role, please contact Dan Clark, Service Manager Family Safeguarding on
Recruitment contact details:
Email:
Tel: 023 8083 4033
For more information about this campaign please visit:
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Organisation
Southampton City Council
Service Area
Family Safeguarding
Job Location
Civic Centre, Southampton
Contract Length
Permanent
Work Hours
Full Time, 37 hours per week
Salary
32,061 - 36,362 per annum
Special Requirements
2 years of experience of working with Adults/Children and Enhanced DBS required
Closing Date
26/02/2026
Job Reference
16419
Documents
(PDF, 184.37kb)

Skills Required