Job Title:  Specialist Support Officer (Drug & Alcohol) 
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £30,859 per annum
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Working Pattern: Monday – Friday, including one weekend per month 
Location: Camden, London

If you share our values and are excited about making a significant impact at Riverside, please ensure you attach a current CV and covering letter. At Riverside we recruit to potential not just on skills and experience, so we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet all the essential criteria on the job description.

The difference you will make as a Specialist Support Officer

We believe in providing care and support to our clients that will enable them to make informed decisions about their life that will increase their sense of wellbeing: this might be greater independence, better coping strategies or a richer network and sense of self achievement. You will be working from one of our supported services providing support to our customers in a variety of ways. 

Some of your responsibilities will include:
*Undertaking group & one to one interventions with clients of a specialist nature (i.e. CBT informed interventions, psychoeducational groups or harm minimisation interventions)
*Providing a comprehensive support planning service to customers in line with the department’s policies, procedures and approach
*Making full use of IT & other technologies for appropriate tasks, including the use of word processing, spreadsheets, email etc
*Participating in cross-service initiatives & projects in relation to their specialist area (i.e. organisational training, reflective case management, WOW projects, peer support groups, etc.) 
*Carrying out assessment to identify and prioritize needs
*Using SMART goal planning to provide needs led holistic support


About you

We are looking for someone with:
*Knowledge of specialist assessment tools, methods and case formulation. 
*Knowledge of evidence based specialist interventions appropriate for mental health and community settings. 
*Experience of undertaking customer assessments, support planning and key-working with a clear outcome focus 
*Knowledge about recovery model, peer support and coproduction procedures.
*Experience working in community settings therapeutically, including assessments, designing interventions and demonstrating outcomes. 
*Experience running therapeutic groups. 
*Ability to react to crisis situations in a calm effective way. 
*Basic level of IT skills and literacy
*Strong time management skills and ability to prioritise workload 
*Ability to communicate effectively in writing including the preparation of letters reports & file notes 
*Ability to contribute to effective team working 
*Understanding of safeguarding procedures for children and adults


Why Riverside?

 At Riverside, we’re a housing association with a difference – enhancing the everyday for all our customers. For 90 years, we’ve been revitalising neighbourhoods and supporting communities by providing the homes they need to live full, fulfilling and rewarding lives. 

We have a portfolio of over 75,000 affordable residential and retirement homes across the UK. Our work ranges from homelessness services to social care, employment support to retirement living, and we need the best people on board to help us.

Working with us, you’ll enjoy:
*Competitive pay & generous pension 
*28 days holidays plus bank holidays 
*Flexible working options available
*Investment in your learning, personal development and technology
*A wide range of benefits


Our Mental Health team is vital to helping us deliver on this vision. We work to transform the life experience of people with mental health support needs. The support we provide is delivered in a range of settings (like supported housing, assessment centres and outreach) and our customers’ support needs can include psychosis, forensic and personality disorders.

We believe in providing care and support to our clients that will enable them to make informed decisions about their life that will increase their sense of wellbeing: this might be greater independence, better coping strategies or a richer network and sense of self achievement. We offer you the chance to develop your own skills through regular line management supervision, reflective practice, access to a ten-day course on relevant mental health topics and working together with your specialist colleagues.

Diversity and Inclusion at Riverside:

We are inclusive. At Riverside, we value diversity in all its forms. We foster a workplace where all individuals are respected, empowered, and heard. Our commitment to inclusivity drives our success and enriches the lives of our customers and colleagues. 

Applications may close before the deadline, so please apply early to avoid disappointment.