At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing challenges with mental health and substance use in various community settings.
- Company: Join Aquarius, a leading charity making a real difference since 1977.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact in your community while building lasting relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or community support; relevant qualifications are a plus.
The predicted salary is between 25089 - 27069 £ per year.
Salary: £25,089 - £27,069
Location: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Contract Type: Permanent, 37 Hours
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Aquarius
Aquarius Action Projects is a long-established charity (since 1977) based in Birmingham with a national reach of contracts and Partnerships. Aquarius is a subsidiary of Waythrough – a large charity that specialises in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. Together, we’ve created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services – and it’s all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier, more independent lives? Join our team at Waythrough and support people facing challenges around mental health, substance use, housing or domestic abuse. This is more than just a job – it’s a chance to build meaningful relationships and create lasting change.
Key Duties
- Deliver advice, brief interventions and motivational support to young people and adults affected by drug and alcohol use.
- Facilitate group programmes and training sessions for service users and professionals.
- Provide support across multiple community settings such as schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, youth services, arrest referral environments and Aquarius offices.
- Complete accurate client records, reports and data returns in line with organisational and contractual requirements.
- Work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary agencies to ensure joined‑up care and effective safeguarding.
- Engage service users through flexible, accessible and age‑appropriate approaches.
- Promote harm reduction, recovery and wellbeing throughout all interactions.
- Contribute to the overall development of the service, including outreach initiatives and partnership‑building activities.
- Maintain confidentiality and adhere to safeguarding policies and working practices.
- Travel to various community venues as required for appointments and group delivery (driving licence and car desirable).
About You
You will be an energetic, confident and self‑motivated practitioner who is passionate about supporting young people and adults affected by substance misuse. Alongside strong interpersonal and communication skills, you will bring:
Essential qualities & experience:
- Experience working with young people or adults in an addictions, social care, education, youth work or community‑support setting.
- Good understanding of substance misuse, health‑related issues and harm reduction.
- Ability to engage individuals in a variety of environments, adapting your style to meet diverse needs.
- Experience working with external partners such as schools, healthcare services or voluntary agencies.
- Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage records, data and reports accurately.
- A flexible, proactive approach to outreach and service delivery.
- Commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding and inclusive practice.
Qualifications:
A qualification in health or social care, youth work, counselling, community work or a related field (e.g. NVQ Level 3+, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling or Addiction Studies). OR relevant experience within the substance misuse field, along with a willingness to complete NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care.
Desirable:
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for community travel.
- Lived experience of recovery or experience as part of a community affected by substance misuse or inequality.
- Applicants from Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
- 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
- Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
- Life assurance (3× annual salary)
- Enhanced sick pay and family‑friendly pay
- Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
- Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
- 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
- Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
- Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
- Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
- Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year
Inclusion and accessibility
At Aquarius, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of substance use or recovery, and from candidates from minoritised ethnic communities. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and identities to ensure our services are representative of the communities we serve. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing date: 2026-03-07
Outreach Practitioner (Birmingham) employer: Dormont Manufacturing Co
At Aquarius, we pride ourselves on being a leading charity dedicated to making a real difference in the lives of individuals facing challenges related to mental health and substance misuse. Our supportive work culture fosters personal and professional growth, offering extensive benefits such as generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for continuous development. Located in Birmingham, our team is passionate about community engagement and inclusivity, ensuring that every employee feels valued and empowered to contribute to meaningful change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Outreach Practitioner (Birmingham)
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Dormont Manufacturing Co.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Dormont Manufacturing Co!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Dormont Manufacturing Co, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Dormont Manufacturing Co or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Outreach Practitioner (Birmingham)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Dormont Manufacturing Co:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Dormont Manufacturing Co! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Dormont Manufacturing Co
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
