At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver high-quality support for those affected by drug and alcohol use.
- Company: Join Waythrough, one of England's largest mental health charities.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working across County Durham with a supportive and inclusive culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse services and strong team management skills.
The predicted salary is between 35520 - 51060 £ per year.
Service Manager – Enhanced Care Pathways
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Flexibility is required to meet the needs of the service.
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.
About the role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced leader to join County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS) as our Service Manager – Enhanced Care Pathways.
In this rewarding role, you'll lead a dedicated team delivering high‑quality services that support people affected by drug and alcohol use and related areas.
Working closely with senior leaders, commissioners and partner organisations, you'll oversee service delivery, drive continuous improvement and ensure positive outcomes for the people we support.
You'll play a key role in managing service performance, maintaining high‑quality standards and developing strong partnerships across the region, helping to ensure services remain responsive to local need while supporting your team to deliver person‑centred care.
This role involves regular travel across County Durham to support multiple service locations, attend partnership meetings and work closely with stakeholders.
Flexibility to travel is therefore an important part of the role.
- What you’ll be doing
- Lead, motivate and develop a multidisciplinary team, creating a positive culture that supports high performance and continuous learning.
- Ensure the delivery of safe, effective and high‑quality services that achieve positive outcomes for the people we support.
- Monitor service performance, contractual requirements and quality standards, using data and insight to drive continuous improvement.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with commissioners, partner organisations and key stakeholders.
- Oversee budgets and resources to ensure services are delivered efficiently and effectively.
- Promote innovation and best practice while ensuring compliance with safeguarding, governance and organisational policies.
- Represent Waythrough at partnership meetings and contribute to the ongoing development of services across the region.
About you
- Leadership or management experience within substance misuse services.
- Experience managing and developing teams to deliver high‑quality, person‑centred services.
- A strong understanding of the needs of people affected by drug and alcohol use and related areas.
- Experience monitoring performance, managing quality standards and driving service improvement.
- Excellent communication and relationship‑building skills, with the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of internal and external partners.
- The ability to manage competing priorities and perform confidently within a fast‑paced environment.
- A recognised management qualification (or equivalent experience) is essential, and a Level3 qualification in Substance Misuse is desirable.
- As regular travel across County Durham forms part of this role, a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle is desirable.
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
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Service Manager 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 Service Manager in North East
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Recovery Focus, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Service Manager in North East
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Recovery Focus. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Recovery Focus. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Recovery Focus
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Recovery Focus.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Service Manager role at Recovery Focus, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Recovery Focus that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
