Recovery Engagement Worker (Expert by Experience) - HMP Styal

Job summary

If you are passionate, ambitious and want to make a real difference within substance use this is a fantastic opportunity to be part of an experienced and dedicated Recovery team at HMP Styal.

The primary purpose of the Recovery Engagement Worker (Expert by Experience) role is to contribute to the delivery of recovery-focused, trauma-informed support services by drawing upon personal lived experience of substance misuse recovery and/or related life challenges such as mental health, homelessness, or involvement with the criminal justice system. By sharing relevant aspects of your own journey in a professional and appropriate manner, you will help build trust, reduce stigma, and inspire hope among service users navigating their own recovery paths.

A key aspect of this role is to champion the voice of lived experience through coproduction, actively collaborating with service users and colleagues to design, deliver, and improve services that genuinely reflect the needs and insights of those with direct experience. You will be a role model for positive change, helping to embed the value of lived experience within all aspects of service delivery.

You will play an integral part in creating a safe, inclusive, and compassionate service environment that is strengths-based and trauma-informed. Your unique perspective will contribute to continuous improvement, co-production, and the delivery of meaningful, recovery-oriented outcomes for the people we support.

Main duties of the job

• Build positive, non-judgmental relationships with service users through shared experience and appropriate use of personal recovery stories.

• Act as a link between service users and the service, helping individuals feel heard, included, and supported.

• Promote the voice of lived experience through co-production in service design and delivery.

• Support service users to set and work toward recovery goals, offering practical tools, harm reduction advice, and emotional support.

• Deliver and co-facilitate peer-led groups, health education, and wellbeing activities.

• Maintain accurate records and support care planning alongside practitioners.

• Help improve access to treatment, especially for underrepresented groups, and connect individuals to mutual aid and community resources.

• Work closely with peer mentors and other staff to provide consistent, compassionate care.

• Support medication dispensing as a second signer (where required).

• Actively represent the service in a professional way to stakeholders and the wider public.

About us

BE THE DIFFERENCE IN HEALTHCARE

We're looking for passionate individuals to join our diverse and innovative team.

Whether you are starting out in your healthcare journey or are an experienced healthcare professional looking for a new challenge we've got a role for you!

• Access to NHS Pension
• Annual leave on your Birthday
• Refer a friend schemefor some posts
• Training and Development opportunities
• Access to Employee Assistance and Health and Wellbeing programmes
• Up to 33 days annual leave

Spectrum Community Health CIC provides a range of award-winning healthcare services on behalf of the NHS, Local Authority Public Health services, and other partners across substance misuse, sexual health, and health and justice settings. As a not-for-profit social enterprise and Community Interest Company our focus is centred on people - our patients, service users, staff and partners.

We are building on our ambition to deliver the best in health and wellbeing on a values-driven ethos and to maintain the highest standards of patient care and service. We are an expanding organisation, but we aim to grow without compromising on quality and social value.

Our Mission

Holistic interventions delivered with compassion for the stigmatised and marginalised in our communities

Our Vision

Quality healthcare that makes a difference to people's lives, regardless of circumstances.

Details

Date posted

04 August 2025

Pay scheme

Agenda for change

Band

Band 3

Salary

£24,937 to £26,598 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

847-RM-25-V657

Job locations

HMP Styal

Styal Road

Wilmslow

SK9 4HR

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information on the advertised role.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Please see attached Job Description and Person Specification for further information on the advertised role.

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable Criteria

Essential

• Lived experience of addiction, involvement with the criminal justice system, homelessness, or other related challenges
• Stability and progress in your own recovery or personal journey
• Willingness and ability to use your lived experience appropriately to support others
• Clear, respectful communication skills and the ability to build trust
• Understanding of the prison environment and the challenges people face before, during, and after custody
• Basic IT and record-keeping skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Desirable

• Experience supporting others in a peer, mentoring, or voluntary role (inside or outside custody)
• Understanding of recovery approaches, harm reduction, or trauma-informed care
• Confidence working with diverse and marginalised populations
• Experience co-facilitating groups or peer-led activities
• Knowledge of services available to people in custody and on release
• Any relevant training or qualification (e.g. Peer Support, Health and Social Care, Mental Health First Aid) or willingness to work toward one

Person Specification

Essential and Desirable Criteria

Essential

• Lived experience of addiction, involvement with the criminal justice system, homelessness, or other related challenges
• Stability and progress in your own recovery or personal journey
• Willingness and ability to use your lived experience appropriately to support others
• Clear, respectful communication skills and the ability to build trust
• Understanding of the prison environment and the challenges people face before, during, and after custody
• Basic IT and record-keeping skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Desirable

• Experience supporting others in a peer, mentoring, or voluntary role (inside or outside custody)
• Understanding of recovery approaches, harm reduction, or trauma-informed care
• Confidence working with diverse and marginalised populations
• Experience co-facilitating groups or peer-led activities
• Knowledge of services available to people in custody and on release
• Any relevant training or qualification (e.g. Peer Support, Health and Social Care, Mental Health First Aid) or willingness to work toward one

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Spectrum Community Health CIC

Address

HMP Styal

Styal Road

Wilmslow

SK9 4HR

Employer's website

https://spectrum-cic.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Spectrum Community Health CIC

Address

HMP Styal

Styal Road

Wilmslow

SK9 4HR

Employer's website

https://spectrum-cic.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)