At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing alcohol-related challenges and lead recovery groups.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and help others achieve recovery.
- Qualifications: Experience in recovery support and delivering therapeutic interventions.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: The Centre for Change, 81–88 Whinney Hill, County Durham, DH1 3BQ
Working Hours: 16 hours per week, over 3 days Monday to Friday (days and hours to be discussed)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary Banding: £25,877.80 - £34,240 (pro rata)
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: We have an exciting opportunity to join County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS) as an Alcohol-specific Recovery Coordinator, working at The Centre for Change in Durham city centre. The role will focus on supporting people experiencing alcohol-related issues, with a particular focus on delivering recovery groups for individuals working towards the community and inpatient detox pathway. You’ll support people from initial engagement through structured treatment and towards detox and sustained recovery. There is also potential to oversee a small caseload where required, devising, implementing and reviewing recovery and treatment plans. You’ll work closely with colleagues, partner agencies, families and significant others to provide coordinated, holistic support and help people achieve their recovery goals.
What you’ll be doing:
- Supporting individuals experiencing alcohol-related issues, reviewing ongoing care and treatment and working closely with the wider multi-agency team.
- Delivering face-to-face recovery groups for people working towards alcohol detox.
- Helping individuals develop the skills, confidence and motivation to work towards their goals of abstinence.
- Devising, implementing and reviewing recovery and treatment plans.
- Supporting progression from initial engagement through structured treatment towards inpatient or community detox.
- Delivering one-to-one and group therapeutic interventions.
- Using approaches including brief interventions, Motivational Interviewing (MI), PSIs, CBT and ITEP.
- Supporting harm reduction and reducing alcohol-related harm.
- Working collaboratively with families, significant others and partner agencies.
- Completing assessments, risk management and safeguarding activity and maintaining accurate records.
What you’ll bring: You’ll have a passion for making a difference, with Kindness, Courage and Respect at the heart of how you work. You’ll have an understanding of alcohol-related issues and experience of supporting people through recovery. You’ll be confident building positive relationships and helping people make meaningful changes. You’ll also bring:
- Experience of delivering one-to-one and/or group therapeutic interventions.
- An understanding of recovery planning, assessment and risk management.
- Knowledge of harm reduction and safeguarding.
- Experience of working with carers and families.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
- An NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent, or a willingness to work towards this.
- A relevant professional qualification, such as addiction studies, counselling, social work or a therapeutic qualification, would be desirable.
- Experience of working within a drug and alcohol service and delivering group work would be desirable, and we’re open to transferable skills and experience.
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
Pay: £25,877.80-£34,240.00 per year
Benefits:
- Additional leave
- Bereavement leave
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Enhanced maternity leave
- Enhanced paternity leave
- Free flu jabs
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Referral programme
- Sick pay
- Store discount
Work Location: In person
Recovery Coordinator / Group Worker in North East 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 Recovery Coordinator / Group Worker in North East
✨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 / Group Worker in North East
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.
