Substance Use Advocacy Worker with a Focus on Complex Safeguarding

“Early Break is a young people and family charity that believes excellence at all points of delivery is a requirement. If you take pride in your work, are hardworking, want to be professionally challenged and are passionate to make a difference in the lives of others then our organisation could well suit you. We have a strong set of values determined by staff which we continuously work towards. It is our shared expectation our staff will be “professionally curious” both in their delivery and ongoing professional development.” Vicky Maloney (CEO)

• This role will be based in Salford.
• Full time, 37 hours per week.

The advertised role is as a Young Person\’s Substance Use Advocacy Worker with a Focus on Complex Safeguarding. This is to deliver a one-to-one case work role with young people who have a range of issues and who may be at risk of or involved in primarily substance use, criminal activity, be exploited, may have learning difficulties or other vulnerabilities.

As a worker you will be child focussed in your practice, you will be a reflective worker who engages in the opportunities to build on your practice that this role offers. You are someone who is organised in your administration and yet can work at depth with vulnerable young people and their families. You will have a knowledge base of the environment of children and family services and will bring to the role your willingness and experience to support others to change lives and safeguard as required.

Key Focus

• Be an organised individual able to manage a high case load of vulnerable young people experiencing problems related to primarily substance use and other vulnerabilities
• Be able to work effectively within a team
• Be skilled and confident to deliver training and support for external partners in relation to substance use and the issues related to it
• Offer group work to targeted groups related to improving skills and knowledge in others
• Have the ability to carry out specialist assessments and care planning
• Strong awareness of legislation as it applies to young people particularly focused on Safeguarding, substance use, criminal justice and Emotional Health and Well Being
• Be prepared to work evenings and/or occasional weekends as required by the role
• To contribute to the wider work of the service and its entrepreneurial development.
• Be a reflective practitioner in the role
• To deliver 1:1, face to face work with young clients and their parents/carers as appropriate and manage the appointments to best meet clients’ needs in accordance with Early Break Policies and Procedures. This may include evening and/or weekend sessions
• Complete a full assessment of each client’s needs and develop, monitor and review SMART care plans for each individual client using agreed systems
• Offer structured treatment interventions, including substitute prescribing, if required and appropriate
• Making Alternative therapy interventions part of client care planning as appropriate, upskilling yourself to offer this within the course of your role
• Work in community-based settings in order to engage and deliver services to potential clients
• Liaise and develop partnerships, with a range of agencies in seeking out the provision which best meets the treatment needs of the young clients identified through referrals
• Offer Drop Ins, as required and/or appropriate, in relevant young people’s settings
• Contribute to a range of multi-agency meetings, acting as key worker/advocate for the young client
• Support young clients into in-patient treatment, if available/as appropriate, and maintain contact with them, preparing and arranging for appropriate after-care provision back in the community where this is required
• Adhere to Early Break policies on Safeguarding, linking to local and national policies and guidelines contributing as the role of Lead Professional as and when required
• Record and report all required client information, using the Company’s agreed database system in line with service expectations and the legal framework of Data Protection
• Maintain and update levels of knowledge and understanding of issues relevant to young people through training offered by Early Break and other agencies, as opportunities arise
• Contribute to the charitable aspect of the service including social media and charitable fundraising activity

• Closing Date: Tuesday 25th November 2025 at 12:00pm
• Closing Time: 12 @ Noon
• Anticipated Interview Date: Tuesday, December 9, 2025 – 12:00
• Contact Name: Catherine Shaw
• Contact Information: recruitment@earlybreak.co.uk or 0161 723 3880
• Employee Benefits: Company BenefitsLong Service Leave: an additional 4 weeks paid holiday after every 3 years in service (subject to attendance thresholds).Supervision: 10 sessions per 12 months with an external supervisor to facilitate reflective practice.Wellbeing Day: 2 x half days of additional paid leave every 12 months as a ‘wellbeing day’ for staff.Volunteer Day: 1 day additional paid leave every 12 months as a ‘volunteer’ opportunity with another third sector organisation of your choice.
• Would You Consider A Job Share For The Role?: Yes