At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing challenges in mental health, housing, and more through direct guidance.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, life assurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with travel across North and Central London, offering excellent career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Compassionate individuals with resilience and a passion for helping others.
The predicted salary is between 28475 - 32219 £ per year.
Location: North & Central London
Working Hours: 37 (includes weekend and evening work)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £28,475 - £32,219
The role is London-based, with your main base agreed on offer and potential travel across local delivery sites.
Please 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.
About the Role
As a Community Link Worker, you will provide information, advice, guidance, and direct individual support to people referred from police custody, courts, and prisons. Many individuals accessing our service may present with a range of mental health disorders, complex needs, or specialist rehabilitation requirements. This includes those with learning disabilities and autistic people eligible for forensic mental health support.
This role is central to the Liaison and Diversion multi-disciplinary team. You will work closely with colleagues, advocating for vulnerable adults with multiple needs and ensuring they receive appropriate intervention and wraparound support.
You will be required to travel across the North and Central London area. All sites are accessible via public transport (please note we do not provide parking). The role includes a blend of office-based working and outreach, which may involve working in police stations and custody suites. As such, enhanced vetting may be required.
What You’ll Do
- Provide needs-led, person-centred support following triage and assessment, helping individuals access appropriate services to meet their mental health, social care, and wellbeing needs.
- Work collaboratively with clients, families, health and social care professionals, criminal justice partners, and wider service colleagues to ensure positive outcomes.
- Build trusting, holistic relationships with clients using trauma-informed approaches, empathy, and motivational strategies that support engagement and change.
- Encourage engagement with peer support networks and individuals with lived experience to enhance recovery and reduce feelings of isolation.
What we’re looking for:
We are seeking individuals who are compassionate, resilient, and passionate about supporting people facing significant challenges. You will thrive in a fast-paced, multi-disciplinary environment and be committed to helping others navigate services and make positive progress.
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
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. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Closing Date: 2026-07-21
Community Link Worker (North & Central London)-1 employer: Recovery Focus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, pension contributions, and access to mental health resources, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in North & Central London to be part of a passionate team committed to transforming lives and fostering resilience in those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Link Worker (North & Central London)-1
✨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 Community Link Worker (North & Central London)-1
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.
