At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals and families on their recovery journey from substance misuse.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and lived experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while working in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse support and knowledge of harm reduction approaches.
The predicted salary is between 25877 - 34240 £ per year.
Location: HMP Frankland, Durham, DH1 5YA
Working hours: 37 hours per week – Monday to Thursday 08:00 – 16:00, Friday 08:00 – 15:30
Contract type: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 – £34,240 (based on experience and progression within the band)
About Waythrough: Waythrough was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we have become one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England, supporting around 125,000 people annually through nearly 200 services with 3,500 staff and volunteers.
About the role: To provide collaborative recovery planning and case management to substance misusers (drug and alcohol) and their families across all stages of individuals’ recovery journeys, from assessment and engagement through to sustained recovery. The role also involves supporting families and service users across all stages of custody, including transition planning for transfer or release.
What you’ll do:
- Manage a caseload of service users, devising, implementing and reviewing ongoing recovery plans and treatment.
- Carry out triage/screening and comprehensive assessments with service users.
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to implement shared assessments and interventions that promote progression from engagement through structured treatment to self‑sustained recovery.
- Facilitate service user access to treatment and community resources, including community outreach and collaborative working with community services.
- Lead effective case management for allocated service users, families and carers, including risk assessments, risk management plans and safeguarding assessments.
- Use an online case management system to maintain records and progress reports.
- Work closely with the multidisciplinary team across the service and with external partners, providing advice and reports to managers and colleagues through reviews, team meetings, supervision and telephone conversations.
- Improve outcomes for children, parents/carers and families of service users by reducing the impact of drug and alcohol related harm on family life and promoting positive family involvement in recovery.
- Use evidence‑based interventions such as MI, PSIs, CBT and ITEP to address specific needs of families, including parental skills, mental health and well‑being.
- Develop and deliver quality programmes and psychosocial interventions (group work and one‑to‑one formats) that meet local need, promoting the Think Family approach.
- Identify and prevent potential harm to service users and others in accordance with local and organisational safeguarding guidelines, including referral to safeguarding authorities.
- Support drug screening, duty work, access to BBV testing and immunisation, community needle exchange services and tailored harm reduction interventions.
- Promote visible recovery across the service and provide peer support opportunities for all service users, families and carers.
- Support families and service users during their loved ones’ transition within the prison system, including planned preparation for release or transfer and partnership working with community and prison‑based services.
What you’ll need to succeed in the role:
- Knowledge of harm reduction approaches in relation to substance misuse (where relevant).
- Understanding of and ability to implement interventions, including brief interventions, MI, PSIs, CBT and ITEP.
- Experience with models of service delivery and recovery planning.
- Familiarity with best practice frameworks such as NICE, DOH, NTA, NMC, Care Quality Commission and Caldicott Standards.
- Experience delivering 1‑to‑1 and group therapeutic interventions.
- Ability to maintain professional boundaries and resilience whilst supporting families intensively, even in stressful situations.
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 Way to Go and Aspirations portals
- £500 friend‑recommendation 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
We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and 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: 2026-06-23
Recovery Coordinator/Family Worker employer: Recovery Focus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a commitment to mental health and social support, employees benefit from generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to continuous training opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of individuals and families affected by substance misuse. Located at HMP Frankland in Durham, this role provides a unique chance to engage with diverse communities and contribute to transformative recovery journeys.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recovery Coordinator/Family Worker
✨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/Family Worker
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.
