Substance Misuse Support Worker
Location (and surrounding areas):
Bristol, Bath, Weston-Super-Mare, South Gloucestershire
Salary:
£25 per hour (£35 per hour bank holidays)
Engagement:
Self-Employed. Vehicle required (Business Vehicle Insurance), DBS on update service (or ability to pay for DBS).
Hours of Work:
Flexible, agreed directly with client, 2hrs minimum – 12hrs maximum
About CHIRYO Outcomes and Intervention Services
CHIRYO Outcomes and Intervention Services is dedicated to improving lives one household at a time. We deliver structured, community-based support built around a coordinated multidisciplinary model, where individuals receive the right level of expertise at the right time. Our substance misuse support workers provide compassionate, structured support that meets people exactly where they are.
About the Role
We are recruiting experienced Substance Misuse Support Workers to join our network of self-employed professionals. You’ll provide compassionate, structured support to individuals experiencing difficulties with drug or alcohol use, rooted in harm reduction principles and a long-term recovery mindset.
This role offers genuine flexibility – you choose whether to work with adults, young people, or both, based on your training, experience, and preference. Sessions can be delivered in-person or online, depending on what works best for each client.
You’ll be working with people whose substance use often sits alongside other complex needs – mental health challenges, trauma, housing instability, or family difficulties. Your role is to bring consistency, non-judgment, and practical support, working at a pace that’s realistic and sustainable for each individual.
What You'll Be Doing
- Building trusting, non-judgmental relationships with individuals experiencing substance-related difficulties
- Working with each person to develop personalised support plans rooted in their own goals
- Identifying triggers and developing practical coping strategies for high-risk situations
- Providing harm reduction information and support
- Supporting engagement with specialist treatment services (community drug and alcohol services, prescribing services, detox or rehab pathways) where appropriate
- Attending appointments alongside individuals, including healthcare, treatment, and statutory services
- Supporting individuals through relapse without judgment, helping them re-engage with their goals
- Working closely with families and carers where appropriate, with the individual’s consent
- Contributing to the wider coordinated support package through appropriate communication with the coordinating team
- Maintaining professional records of interventions and outcomes
- Upholding high standards of safeguarding awareness, including around dual diagnosis and risk
What We're Looking For
- Minimum five years’ experience
- Demonstrable experience working in substance misuse support (community drug and alcohol services, residential treatment, criminal justice substance services, or similar)
- Strong working knowledge of harm reduction principles, recovery models, and treatment pathways
- Familiarity with commonly used substances, their effects, and associated risks
- Understanding of dual diagnosis and the overlap between substance use and mental health
- Experience working with people who have experienced trauma, instability, or repeated service breakdowns
- Strong understanding of safeguarding, particularly around vulnerability, exploitation, and risk
- Excellent communication skills and a non-judgmental, compassionate approach
- Confidence working independently and managing your own caseload
- Reliability, professionalism, and a genuine commitment to outcomes-focused support
Requirements
- Self-employed status (sole trader or limited company)
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle with business insurance
- Up-to-date mandatory training (safeguarding, manual handling, first aid, and any role-relevant training)
- Enhanced DBS certificate, enrolled on the DBS Update Service (or willing to obtain and enrol)
- Public liability and professional indemnity insurance
- Right to work in the UK
What CHIRYO Outcomes and Intervention Services Offers
- £25 per hour (£35 per hour bank holidays)
- Flexible hours agreed directly with each client
- Choice of in-person or online delivery (agreed directly with each client)
- The autonomy to use your skills and experience to achieve real outcomes
- Casual dress
- Coordinated multidisciplinary team around every client
- Access to specialist colleagues including CPNs, counsellors, behaviour support, and more
- The opportunity to be part of a growing service genuinely committed to quality and outcomes
How to Apply
If you’re an experienced substance misuse support worker who wants to use your skills where they’ll make a real difference, we’d love to hear from you.
EXPRESS YOUR INTEREST Please send your CV, Name, Location and Contact details to: Hello@chiryooutcomes.com (You’re welcome to include a covering letter)
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