Overview:
Recovery Support Worker
HMP Portland & HMP The Verne | Full-Time | Permanent
Make a Difference Every Day
At Change Grow Live, we believe that everyone deserves the chance to make positive changes in their life. We are a national charity that supports people to overcome challenges, build confidence, and achieve their potential.
Our values are simple:
Be Open-
Be Compassionate
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Be Bold
These values guide everything we do and help us create a safe, supportive environment where people can grow and thrive.
Looking for a Rewarding Career?
You don't need extensive experience in substance misuse services to apply. If you are caring, resilient, a good listener, and passionate about helping others, we would love to hear from you.
This is a fantastic opportunity to start or develop a career in support work. We provide training, guidance, and ongoing professional development to help you succeed in the role.
About the Role
As a Recovery Support Worker, you'll work within our Southwest Prisons team, supporting people at HMP Portland and HMP The Verne to make positive changes in their lives.
You will:
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Build positive and professional relationships with service users.
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Listen, encourage and support people on their recovery journey.
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Help individuals access the right support and interventions for their needs.
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Work as part of a friendly and supportive multidisciplinary team.
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Contribute to creating a safe, respectful, and recovery-focused environment.
What We're Looking For
We're interested in people who:
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Have excellent communication and listening skills.
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Are compassionate, non-judgemental, and respectful.
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Can motivate and encourage others.
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Are organised and willing to learn.
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Enjoy working as part of a team.
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Want to make a genuine difference in people's lives.
Experience in support work, healthcare, social care, customer service, education, community work, or lived experience of recovery is welcome but not essential.
What We Offer
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Comprehensive training and induction.
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Ongoing learning and career development opportunities.
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Supportive management and team environment.
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Meaningful work that changes lives.
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The opportunity to develop specialist skills in health, wellbeing, and recovery services.
Location: HMP Portland & HMP The Verne, Southwest Prisons
Hours: 37.5 hours per week (full-time)
Contract: Permanent
Responsibilities:
Help People Build a Better Future
As a Recovery Support Worker, you'll play an important role in helping people make positive changes in their lives while receiving support within the prison environment.
No two days are the same. You'll work directly with individuals, providing encouragement, practical support, and guidance throughout their recovery journey.
Your responsibilities will include:
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Supporting people from their first contact with the service through every stage of their recovery journey.
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Delivering one-to-one and group support sessions that promote positive change.
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Working alongside healthcare professionals and partner organisations to ensure individuals receive the right support.
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Encouraging people who may be reluctant to engage with treatment and helping them access available services.
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Following up with individuals who miss appointments and helping them stay connected with support.
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Contributing to safety and wellbeing plans where required.
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Helping people rebuild confidence, develop resilience, strengthen support networks, and prepare for a healthier future.
Who We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who is passionate about helping others and making a real difference.
You may already have experience in support work, healthcare, social care, criminal justice, education, customer service, or a similar people-focused role. However, just as importantly, we're interested in your personal qualities, attitude, and willingness to learn.
You'll be someone who:
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Is a great communicator and enjoys building positive relationships with others.
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Can listen without judgement and show empathy and understanding.
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Is well organised and able to manage their time effectively.
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Can work independently while also being a supportive team member.
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Is confident using basic IT systems and keeping accurate records.
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Is resilient, adaptable, and able to respond positively to challenges.
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Understands the importance of confidentiality and professional boundaries.
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Has an interest in mental health, wellbeing, recovery, and supporting vulnerable people.
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Is committed to continuous learning and personal development.
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Can travel between sites when required.
Experience of substance misuse, mental health, prison, healthcare, or criminal justice services is beneficial but not essential. Full training and ongoing support will be provided.
What You'll Receive
We know that supporting others starts with supporting our staff.
That's why we offer:
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, increasing with length of service-
A paid wellbeing hour every week to focus on your personal wellbeing
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Access to our Wellness Hub and Employee Assistance Programme
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Contributory pension scheme
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Employee discounts on shopping, cinema tickets, holidays, and much more
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A friendly, supportive, and inclusive team environment
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Comprehensive training and induction programme
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Career development and progression opportunities
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Refer-a-Friend reward scheme
Why Join Change Grow Live?
This is more than a job—it's an opportunity to make a lasting difference in people's lives while developing a rewarding career in support work, health, and recovery services.
If you're compassionate, motivated, and ready to help people change, grow, and live, we'd love to hear from you.
As we want to get to know you, not an AI tool. Please make sure your application is written in your own words and genuinely reflects your skills, experience and motivation for this role.
Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.
We may close applications early if we receive a high volume of interest, so early application is encouraged.
Salary Range (pro rata if part time): CGL points 20 to 21 (£26,296.03 - £27,165.10) ILW / OLW /Fringe: N/A - Outside London Weighting Area Closing Date: 7/8/2026 If you have any questions on this opportunity that you would like to talk through please contact us using the below details:: Antony Kenderdine |
[email protected] | 01305 715562 : This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
