Benefits
We believe that benefits should be more than just perks. For us, they aren’t simply little extras added on at the end, they’re fundamental parts of what we stand for, from the very beginning. As standard.
That’s why at bpha, we reward our employees by making sure we give them a supportive and caring environment, that empowers them to be happy, healthy and inspired, every day.
Our full benefits offering can be found here:
https://www.bpha.org.uk/about-us/bpha-colleague-benefits/139/
Substance Misuse Specialist Support Officer
Bedford - Permanent, Full Time
£34,500 per annum plus car allowance
Are you passionate about supporting people to overcome complex challenges and live more stable, fulfilling lives?
We’re looking for a Substance Misuse Specialist Support Officer to join our team—someone who can combine expertise with empathy to support customers affected by drug and alcohol use. In this role, you’ll help individuals sustain their tenancies, reduce harm, and take positive steps toward recovery.
You’ll work closely with customers, colleagues, and partner agencies to deliver compassionate, trauma-informed support that truly changes lives.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Providing person-centred, non-judgemental support to customers with substance misuse needs
- Building strong, trusting relationships that encourage engagement and long-term change
- Assessing risk and need, with a clear focus on wellbeing and WELFARE
- Creating practical support plans that promote stability, recovery, and tenancy sustainment
- Helping customers access treatment services, healthcare, and wider community support
- Responding calmly and effectively to crisis and safeguarding situations
- Sharing your expertise with colleagues and supporting complex casework
- Working in partnership with external agencies to achieve the best outcomes
- Promoting safer choices and harm minimisation approaches
Our Commitment to Welfare
WELFARE is at the heart of this role.
You’ll take a whole-person approach, recognising that substance misuse is often linked to wider challenges. This means you’ll:
- Put safety, dignity, and wellbeing first in every interaction
- Support customers with mental health, financial difficulties, and social isolation
- Help individuals access benefits, healthcare, and community services
- Use a trauma-informed approach to understand each person’s unique journey
- Act early to reduce risk, prevent crisis, and build long-term stability
What We’re Looking For
You’ll bring a blend of experience, resilience, and compassion, along with:
- Experience supporting individuals affected by substance misuse
- A strong understanding of recovery, behaviour change, and harm minimisation
- Confidence managing complex and high-risk situations
- Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
- A calm, empathetic, and welfare-focused approach
- Experience working with partner agencies and services
Why Join Us?
This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to be part of a service that puts people first. You’ll help create meaningful change for individuals facing some of life’s toughest challenges, while being supported by a team that values collaboration, compassion, and expertise.
Disclaimer
Please note that we reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a sufficient number of applications or find a suitable candidate before the advertised closing date. We encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
About Bpha
bpha is a leading Housing Association in the Oxford to Cambridge arc, providing high-quality, affordable homes and services. We own or manage over 19,500 properties and reinvest all income into improving homes, building new ones, and supporting communities. Our vision is to build places where people can live happily in homes they can afford, guided by value that shape everything we do.
