Recovery Coach

Job description

Summary 
U-turn is a leading organisation in developing pathways out of homelessness. A new position has opened for a recovery coach to join the new Wynberg Homeless Service Centre team. The recovery coach will work alongside the Occupational Therapist to implement the first phase of the full U-turn journey. He/she will report directly to the centre manager and work under the clinical direction of the Occupational Therapist. 

This position
Most homeless clients accessing the Centre will still be actively using substances (injecting heroin being a prominent substance used amongst the homeless population in Wynberg). The recovery coach will be responsible for running daily groups and engaging with individuals as they prepare to enter recovery and access structured treatment. 

Service Centres

U-turns Service Centres provide services to people living on the streets, to prepare them for and to support them on a journey of change. This includes providing food and clothing, therapeutic and development-based interventions, and recovery support for those struggling with substance abuse. The ultimate aim of the Service Centre is to prepare individuals to participate in our work-based rehabilitation programme.

Work-readiness program

The work-readiness department forms part of the Life Change Journey and is tasked with providing work-based rehabilitation and skills development training that prepares clients for graduation into the open labour market and reintegration into the community. One day a week, each client attends a therapy and training day where they access group therapy, counseling, and input using a specially designed curriculum. This cycle of learning and then application follows a graded approach and continues for as long as needed. It takes an average of 18 months. Case managers coordinate the entire intervention programme for the clients and work in close collaboration with the worksite managers.

Key areas of responsibility

• Plan, prepare and run sessions as part of the daily Ignite Programme 
• Conduct  individual sessions aimed at enhancing motivation for change
• Conduct baseline assessments and health and addiction screenings 
• Accompany clients to relevant appointments 
• Assist with outreach and voucher earnings 
• Assist with relevant service delivery as needed
• Use and contribute to existing planning and record-keeping systems to ensure continuous improvement of your areas of responsibility.

Experience and Skills

• Recovery Coaching qualification and experience working with people addicted to substances
• Well-regulated person with healthy emotional boundaries and excellent self-management skills 
• Good communication skills

Personal attributes

• Passion for U-turn’s mission and values.
• Strong leadership with a collaborative mindset.
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.

Organisational Fit (where applicable) 

• If in recovery - actively engaged in own ongoing recovery, accessing accountability support and practicing recovery behaviour
• If employed as a Professional - affiliation with a professional board, continued personal development and accessing supervision
• Gospel orientation - connected to a local fellowship of believers, reading the Bible and grounded in Gospel-motivated Social Action

Next Steps

Candidates interested in this position should apply online at https://homeless.org.za/careers/. 

The letter of motivation should be approximately 1 page in length. Please note that applications without a letter of motivation will not be considered.

Company Description

U-turn is a thriving non-profit that exists to give homeless people the skills to overcome homelessness. Founded in 1997, we believe in life after homelessness. We believe that every homeless individual should have access to an effective pathway that addresses their physical, spiritual, and emotional needs so they can leave the streets and become a long-term productive member of society.

To help homeless people overcome homelessness, we operate a phased approach that includes rehabilitation from substance abuse, counseling, life-skills training, and work placement in one of our social enterprises. This allows candidates to test and apply the training they’ve received. In the process, the programme inculcates a healthy work ethic, furnishes modern job skills, and gives 18-24 months of real work experience so that individuals can graduate and be gainfully employed in the South African economy.

The programme is yielding wonderful results. Our candidates typically graduate into open market employment and show an 80% long-term success rate! We are actively working to expand the programme to more locations in Cape Town and across South Africa.

Posted on 09 Sep 09:59, Closing date 31 Oct