Senior Practitioner - Criminal Justice

Change Grow Live are a charity dedicated to the belief that we can make a difference to our Service Users lives, offering support and respect in a safe environment, treating each user as an individual and working with them to find the right treatment and care options. Our core values are ‘Be open, be compassionate and be bold’ and our team members apply these daily to achieve our mission of helping people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Practitioner - Criminal Justice to join our Manchester team who has the skills and experience to assess and engage with our service users, ensuring that they access the right intervention at the right time, in a way that best meets their needs. The post holder will work as an integral part of the multi-disciplinary team at the service named above, to deliver high quality provision to service users. As a Senior Worker the post holder will be expected to work with service users with complex needs and act as a practice lead within the service.

Where Manchester

Hours 37.5 per week

Full Time

Salary Range £32,002.35 - £34,214.21 per annum dependent on experience, pro rata for part time hours

Contract Type Fixed Term, 12-month

Please note Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.

About the Role

Are you passionate about supporting people to make positive changes in their lives? We’re looking for a Senior Recovery Worker to join our dedicated team, focusing on individuals involved in the Criminal Justice System. This role is integral to reducing substance misuse-related harm, promoting recovery, and helping to reduce reoffending. As a Senior Worker, you’ll act as a Senior Recovery Worker, working with service users who have complex needs and supporting their social reintegration. You’ll also play a key role in developing recovery communities and strengthening partnerships with probation, courts, and other agencies. The role also includes some line management.

What You’ll Do

• Work in partnership with Probation to deliver recovery interventions in line with CGL policy.
• Carry out comprehensive assessments and create recovery plans tailored to individual needs.
• Deliver structured interventions, group work, and harm reduction strategies, including needle exchange and naloxone distribution.
• Support service-based recovery communities and develop links with local mutual aid groups.
• Act as a mentor and support the development of Peer Mentors and Volunteers.
• Ensure accurate data recording and reporting, and uphold confidentiality and safeguarding standards.

About You

Experience working within substance misuse, and preferably in criminal justice or a related field. Knowledge of the Criminal Justice System and effective interventions that reduce drug-related crime. Experience supporting individuals with complex needs, including co-morbidity. Strong communication skills and ability to work collaboratively across agencies. Ability to manage change, prioritise effectively, and maintain accurate records. Risk management of our vulnerable service users. Desirable Knowledge of mental health interventions. Experience with Multi-agency working.

What we will give to you

• 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service
• Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
• Contributory pension scheme
• Several benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
• A friendly and supportive team
• Regular supervision
• Training, career development & progression opportunities
• Refer a Friend Scheme

If you are bold, compassionate and open and want to empower others to reach their recovery goals, we would love to hear from you. Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.

Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.

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. More information about eligible roles and occupations can be found here Skilled Worker visa Overview - GOV.UK

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. The successful candidate will need to complete an enhanced DBS check and obtain MOJ vetting.

CGL points 28 to 30 (£32,002.35 - £34,214.20)

N/A - Outside London Weighting Area

9/12/2025

30/11/2025

Azra Ahmed | Azra.ahmed@cgl.org.uk

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.