At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in hospitals with drug and alcohol-related needs, providing assessments and referrals.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, life assurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team dedicated to improving community health and wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting those with substance use or mental health challenges is essential.
The predicted salary is between 26640 - 32560 £ per year.
Location: Portland House, 243 Shalesmoor, Sheffield, S3 8UG (with regular travel to hospitals across Sheffield)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
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.
Make a real difference where it matters most Are you passionate about helping people affected by drug and alcohol use access the right support at the right time?
We're looking for a Hospital Liaison Worker to join Likewise, Sheffield's adult drug and alcohol service.
This is an exciting opportunity to work across hospital settings, supporting people at a critical point in their lives and helping them begin or continue their recovery journey.
Working alongside hospital teams, community services and partner organisations, you'll provide timely, compassionate support that reduces harm, improves health outcomes and ensures people don't fall through the gaps between hospital and community care.
If you enjoy building partnerships, working in a fast-paced environment and making a genuine difference every day, we'd love to hear from you.
Likewise is Sheffield's commissioned adult drug and alcohol service, delivered by Waythrough in partnership with Project 6.
We provide free, confidential advice, treatment and recovery support for adults experiencing issues with drugs or alcohol.
Through one-to-one support, group programmes, clinical interventions, substitute prescribing, peer mentoring and harm reduction services, we help people reduce the impact of substance use and achieve lasting recovery.
As our Hospital Liaison Worker, you'll strengthen our presence across Sheffield's hospitals, ensuring more people can access the right support at the earliest opportunity.
About the Role
As a Hospital Liaison Worker, you'll act as the vital link between hospital staff, patients and community treatment services.
You'll engage with individuals admitted to hospital with drug or alcohol-related needs, providing person-centred assessments, brief interventions, harm reduction advice and onward referrals into community treatment and recovery services.
Taking a holistic approach, you'll work closely with patients to understand their wider health, housing, family and social support needs, helping them access the services that will support long-term recovery and reduce the likelihood of future hospital admissions.
You'll also play a key role in developing relationships with hospital teams, increasing awareness of the Likewise service and improving referral pathways to ensure people receive seamless care from hospital into the community.
This role is based at Portland House, but will require regular travel and work across local hospitals throughout Sheffield.
- What You\'ll Do
- Build strong partnerships with hospital staff and multidisciplinary teams to improve referral pathways and continuity of care.
- Identify and engage patients affected by drug and alcohol use, providing timely support and advice during their hospital stay.
- Complete person-centred assessments, recovery plans, safeguarding assessments and risk management plans.
- Deliver brief interventions, harm reduction advice and Naloxone interventions where appropriate.
- Support individuals to access community treatment, recovery services and wider health and wellbeing support following discharge.
- Promote the Likewise service across hospital settings, increasing awareness and accessibility for both staff and patients.
- Develop pathways that improve access to treatment, reduce unmet need and support sustained recovery.
- Maintain accurate case records and recovery plans using Systm One and other electronic case management systems.
- Work collaboratively with community partners, health professionals and other stakeholders to achieve the best outcomes for service users.
- Use service data to monitor outcomes, identify trends and contribute to service improvement.
- To Succeed in This Role, You\'ll Need
- A caring, compassionate and non-judgemental approach.
- Experience of supporting people affected by substance use, mental health or other complex needs.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the confidence to work across multiple organisations.
- Experience completing assessments, recovery planning and risk management.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, harm reduction and trauma-informed practice.
- The ability to work independently while contributing to a multidisciplinary team.
- Good organisational and IT skills, including experience using electronic case management systems such as Systm One.
- A commitment to partnership working, continuous professional development and delivering high-quality support.
- A full UK driving licence is desirable, as the role involves regular travel between hospital sites and community locations across Sheffield.
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.
Closing Date
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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Hospital Liaison in London 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 Hospital Liaison in London
✨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 Hospital Liaison in London
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.
