Social Worker - Drugs and Alcohol

Terms & Conditions: 37 Hours, Full time, Permanent

Department: Adult Services - West Integrated Neighbourhood Team

Interview Date(s): 11th December 2026

Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council

At Blackburn with Darwen, we believe we have the solid foundations for providing excellent social work services to local people, and we are committed to sustaining and building upon these strengths.

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Social Worker to join our West Integrated Neighbourhood Team on a fixed-term basis until March 2029. This exciting role is closely linked with our Alcohol Services Team and is aligned to Blackburn with Darwen's Complex Lives Partnership.

The Complex Lives Partnership brings together a collective of services to improve outcomes for people facing multiple and overlapping challenges, including homelessness, mental ill-health, substance misuse, social exclusion, and offending behaviour. As a Social Worker within this innovative partnership, you will have the opportunity to work collaboratively across organisational boundaries, build trusted relationships with individuals who may have historically struggled to engage with services, and help deliver sustainable change through a strengths-based, trauma-informed approach.

This role offers the opportunity to make a real difference to some of the most vulnerable adults within our community. If you are looking for a position that is both challenging and rewarding and would like to be part of a strong, supportive, and forward-thinking team, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

You will work within a multidisciplinary team supporting adults with complex needs, undertaking strengths-based assessments, care planning, safeguarding interventions, and risk management. You will work closely with addiction specialists, clinicians, substance misuse workers, housing providers, health professionals, and other partner agencies to ensure coordinated and effective support for service users and their families.

Responsibilities will include:

• Managing a complex caseload of adults with multiple and interconnected needs.
• Undertaking Care Act assessments, reviews, and support planning.
• Leading safeguarding enquiries and participating in multi-agency safeguarding processes.
• Effectively managing risk and supporting individuals to achieve positive outcomes.
• Working collaboratively with addiction specialists and treatment services to support people throughout their recovery journey.
• Supporting service users from initial engagement through assessment, intervention, treatment, recovery, and aftercare planning.
• Motivating and empowering individuals to engage with services and achieve their goals.
• Advocating on behalf of service users and their families within multi-agency forums.
• Presenting reports and recommendations to funding and decision-making panels where required.
• Taking a lead role in professional meetings and contributing to service development.

About You

We are looking for a qualified and registered Social Worker who:

• Has a minimum of three years' post-qualifying social work experience.
• Has substantial experience of working with adults with complex needs and multiple disadvantages.
• Possesses highly developed specialist knowledge of substance misuse and addiction.
• Has experience of safeguarding adults and working within relevant legislative frameworks.
• Demonstrates excellent assessment, analytical, and risk management skills.
• Can work effectively within a multidisciplinary and multi-agency environment.
• Has strong communication, advocacy, and relationship-building skills.
• Is committed to strengths-based, person-centred, and trauma-informed practice.
• Can effectively support individuals and families through periods of significant challenge and change.

Why Join Us?

In Blackburn with Darwen, we are committed to providing a supportive environment where social workers can thrive. You will be part of a dedicated team that values professional development, reflective practice, innovation, and collaboration, whilst making a meaningful difference to the lives of local people.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact:

Karen Duckworth
Team Manager
☎ 01254 588852

For further information about the key responsibilities and requirements of the role, please refer to the Job Description and Role Profile.

We look forward to hearing from you.