At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in their recovery journey from substance use through collaborative planning and case management.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive, inclusive environment for all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience with substance use issues and a relevant qualification in health or social care.
The predicted salary is between 34240 - 34240 £ per year.
Location: Forward Leeds, 74 Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7DJ (Also working across other Forward Leeds sites)
- Working
- Contract
Type: 12 month fixed term until August 2027 Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240 per annum 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 and service: Forward Leeds is a comprehensive drug and alcohol service supporting people across Leeds.
We work with individuals at all stages of their recovery journey, helping people reduce substance-related harm, improve their health and wellbeing, and build safer, more independent lives.
We are looking to appoint a Recovery Coordinator - Criminal Justice to join our Criminal Justice team.
In this role, you will provide collaborative recovery planning and case management to people experiencing drug and alcohol issues, supporting individuals from assessment and engagement through structured treatment and towards sustained recovery.
You will work closely with colleagues across Forward Leeds, as well as Probation, Courts, prisons and other partner agencies, to support positive outcomes, reduce reoffending and promote successful community reintegration.
- What You’ll Do
- Manage a caseload of service users, devising, implementing and reviewing ongoing recovery and treatment plans.
- Carry out triage, screening and comprehensive assessments with service users.
- Undertake risk assessments, risk management plans and safeguarding assessments and plans.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to support service user progression from engagement through structured treatment to sustained recovery.
- Develop and deliver quality, evidence-based psychosocial interventions through both one-to-one and group work, including ATR and DRR programme delivery.
- Work collaboratively with Probation and Court colleagues to support suitability assessments and sentencing options, including preparing reports where required.
- Where required, provide prison in-reach to support positive community reintegration, including supporting abstinent individuals and linking them with appropriate community support organisations.
- Support key service functions including drug screening, duty work, BBV testing and immunisation services.
- Deliver appropriate and tailored drug and alcohol harm reduction interventions.
- Facilitate access to treatment, community resources and peer support opportunities to increase recovery and social capital.
- Work with families, carers and significant others where appropriate, helping to reduce the impact of drug and alcohol-related harm.
- Promote visible recovery across the service and ensure peer support opportunities are relevant and accessible.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date case records and provide written and verbal reports as required.
- Work closely with colleagues and external partners as part of a multi-disciplinary approach to achieve the best possible outcomes for service users.
- Identify and respond to potential risks and safeguarding concerns in line with organisational and local procedures.
- Undertake continuing professional development, including clinical supervision, performance reviews and relevant training.
- Work flexibly across operational sites and within agreed hours to maintain appropriate service provision, including evening and weekend working.
- Work in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures and guidelines, including Waythrough's clinical governance framework.
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need
- Experience of working with people experiencing drug and/or alcohol problems and/or people with complex and multiple needs.
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or above, or equivalent, or willingness to work towards this in post.
- Understanding of and ability to implement interventions including brief interventions, Motivational Interviewing (MI), psychosocial interventions (PSIs), CBT and ITEP.
- Experience of delivering one-to-one and group therapeutic interventions.
- Experience of carrying out assessments, recovery planning and risk management plans.
- Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding and Hidden Harm.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes.
- A relevant professional qualification, such as addiction studies, counselling, social work or another therapeutic qualification, would be desirable.
- Knowledge of harm reduction approaches in relation to substance misuse would be desirable.
- Experience of working with carers and families would be desirable.
- Experience of using management information systems would be desirable.
- Knowledge of working within best practice frameworks, including NICE, Department of Health, NTA, NMC, CQC and Caldicott Standards, would be desirable.
- The ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of professionals, agencies and stakeholders.
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.
If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough. org. uk
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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Recovery Coordinator - Criminal Justice in Leeds employer: Recovery Focus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a real difference in the community through its comprehensive support services. With a strong focus on employee growth and well-being, we offer generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values diversity and inclusion. Join us in Leeds, where you can collaborate with passionate colleagues and contribute to meaningful change in the lives of those facing challenges around mental health and substance use.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recovery Coordinator - Criminal Justice in Leeds
✨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 Recovery Coordinator - Criminal Justice in Leeds
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.
