At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people facing challenges with substance use and provide guidance to families.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, professional development, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and help them thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience in health/social care or relevant qualifications; strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 31030 - 41980 £ per year.
- Senior Practitioner – CASS/MASH
- Working Hours: 37 per week (fulltime, flexible working pattern required)
Join Our Team – Make a Real Difference in Young People’s Lives!
At Aquarius, we believe every young person and their families deserves the chance to thrive.
Birmingham Young People’s Service works with under 25’s who are facing challenges with alcohol, drugs, or the impact of a family member’s substance use.
We are looking for a dynamic and motivated Senior Practitioner to join our dedicated team.
You’ll be based in the MASH / CASS team in Birmingham, engaging directly with professionals whilst offering substance use and hidden harm specialist advice and guidance.
You will also be involved in screening referrals into CASS and offering support to families.
Using a person-centred approach, you’ll provide brief interventions, specialist support to social workers and help them connect with the right services to support positive change.
What you’ll be doing
- Engaging with social workers and social work partners to offer advice, support and guidance at referral screening stages and beyond.
- Delivering brief interventions that empower and build resilience for families.
- Supporting access to wider services to reduce risks and improve outcomes.
- Working flexibly across evenings and weekends in multi-agency settings.
- Keeping accurate case records and liaising with partner organisations.
- Offering support to the wider Birmingham Young Peoples service.
What we’re looking for
- A qualification in health/social care, youth and community work (NVQ Level 3+, Dip SW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies) OR experience working in health & social care, education, or substance use services, with the commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care.
- Confidence in working with young people, families and in multi-agency settings.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to build trust quickly.
- A person able to represent Aquarius.
- A flexible, proactive, and resilient team player.
What we offer
- The chance to genuinely change young peoples and families lives for the better.
- Ongoing training and professional development.
- A supportive and collaborative team environment.
- Opportunities to work across a range of partner agencies.
- A permanent, stable role with scope to grow.
At Aquarius, we are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion.
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
If you’re passionate about supporting young people and ready for a new challenge, we’d love to hear from you.
Note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Waythrough
Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship.
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.
What We Offer
- 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
Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.
We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.
Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship.
In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough.
Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value.
We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support.
We have 260 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them.
Every year our services support around 130,000 people.
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Senior Practitioner (Birmingham) employer: Recovery Focus
Recovery Focus is an excellent employer that prioritises the well-being of its staff and the communities they serve. With a supportive work culture, employees enjoy generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, pension contributions, and access to a 24/7 online GP, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of families in Enfield. The company also fosters professional growth, providing opportunities for training and development in the health and social care sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior 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 Recovery Focus.
✨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 Recovery Focus!
✨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 Recovery Focus, 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 Recovery Focus 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 Senior 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 Recovery Focus:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Recovery Focus! 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 Recovery Focus
✨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.
