At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in recovery from drug and alcohol issues through assessments and interventions.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Rolling recruitment; apply now to join a diverse and inclusive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Energetic self-starter with relevant qualifications or experience in health/social care.
The predicted salary is between 27882 - 27882 £ per year.
£25,842- £27,882 per annum
Full-time 12 month fixed term vacancy for 37 hours per week in Telford.
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.
Role context: Welcome to Aquarius as a Practitioner. Right now, one of our partners, Aquarius Action Projects, is looking for a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Practitioner to join the service in Telford. Telford STaRS is for anyone (children and young people from 10+ and adults 18+) who is using, or affected by the problems associated with drugs and/or alcohol. Your challenge is to provide advice, assessments, brief and structured interventions and group programmes. As a Practitioner in this role you will be the initial contact for referrals into the service, conducting initial assessments via telephone, face to face and offering relevant and appropriate advice, harm minimisation, family interventions, risk assessment and management, and actioning onward referrals to partner agencies. You will also be required to manage a caseload.
Responsibilities:
- Provide initial contact for referrals into the service and conduct initial assessments via telephone and face to face.
- Offer advice, harm minimisation, family interventions, risk assessment and risk management.
- Deliver or coordinate brief and structured interventions and group programmes.
- Action onward referrals to partner agencies; collaborate with service users, families and external agencies to maximise outcomes.
- Manage a caseload workload and maintain accurate records.
Qualifications and experience: Energetic and confident self-starter with a qualification in health/social care, youth and community work (e.g. NVQ Level 3 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies). Alternatively, experience in the substance misuse field with a commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care. Knowledge of alcohol/drug and health-related issues, experience liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals, and comfort engaging with clients in a variety of service delivery settings. Ability to collaborate with service users, families and external agencies to maximise outcomes. Flexible approach, commitment to confidentiality, excellent record keeping and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
Other information: To review the job description, please click here.
Equal opportunities: Waythrough is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all backgrounds. We particularly welcome applicants with lived experience of substance misuse or recovery, and from minoritised ethnic communities. We also welcome applicants from all backgrounds, cultures, abilities and identities. This is a rolling recruitment process; shortlisted candidates will be interviewed as they apply. When applying, please upload a CV and supporting statement outlining your skills and experience.
About the organisation and structure: Aquarius Action Projects is a long-established charity (since 1982) based in Birmingham with a national reach of contracts and partnerships. Aquarius is a subsidiary of Waythrough – a large charity that specialises in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough.
What We Offer: We value the people who make a difference every day. Benefits include: 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, birthday leave, professional fee reimbursement, 24/7 online GP access, Employee Assistance Programme, recognition and long service awards, cycle to work scheme and more. Discounts and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year.
Inclusion and accessibility: Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities, including those with lived experience of the issues we support. We are signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme; adjustments can be made to enable fair participation. If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email recruitment team.
Closing Date: 2026-07-01
Drug and Alcohol Recovery Practitioner (Telford) employer: Recovery Focus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee wellbeing and professional growth. With generous benefits such as 27 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and access to continuous training opportunities, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact in the lives of those affected by substance misuse in Telford. Join us in our mission to provide vital support and be part of a dedicated team that values diversity and personal development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Drug and Alcohol Recovery Practitioner (Telford)
✨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 Drug and Alcohol Recovery Practitioner (Telford)
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.
