At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families facing challenges with substance misuse and improve child safety.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension contributions, professional development, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Join a diverse team dedicated to creating lasting change.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and help families thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience in drug and alcohol services and understanding of safeguarding frameworks.
The predicted salary is between 25877 - 34240 £ per year.
Location: Dorset and Dorchester (Combination of field based and office based)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Full time, Fixed term (until 31/03/2027)
Salary: £25,877.80-£34,240.03 per annum
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 have 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.
We are seeking an experienced and passionate Specialist Substance Misuse Practitioner to join our Safeguarding Families Together (SFT) model, working within Children's Services locality teams across Dorset. This is a unique and rewarding opportunity to bring specialist drug and alcohol expertise directly into safeguarding teams - supporting parents and carers whose substance use is impacting parenting capacity and child safety.
You will play a vital role in identifying risk earlier, engaging families compassionately, and reducing escalation into Child Protection and care proceedings, all while contributing to a whole-family, strengths-based and trauma-informed approach.
About the Role
Working as part of a multi-disciplinary safeguarding team, you will collaborate with social workers, domestic abuse practitioners, mental health professionals and specialists working to reduce harmful behaviours. While statutory safeguarding responsibility remains with Children's Services, you will hold a parent-focused caseload and provide specialist expertise to strengthen safeguarding planning and improve outcomes for children.
This role combines:
- Direct work with families
- Specialist consultation to social workers and managers
- Rapid access to treatment pathways
- Workforce development and reflective practice support
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver specialist substance misuse interventions with parents and carers where drug and alcohol use is impacting child safety, using motivational, harm reduction and trauma-informed approaches to reduce risk and strengthen parenting capacity.
- Provide expert safeguarding consultation to Children's Services colleagues, informing risk assessment, relapse planning, and integrated child-focused safety planning within CIN and CP frameworks.
- Drive timely access to treatment and system coordination, ensuring safeguarding plans and adult treatment pathways are aligned and responsive.
- Embed strengths-based and whole-family practice within multi-disciplinary teams, contributing to shared formulations, proactive contingency planning and effective multi-agency decision-making.
- Promote high-quality professional standards and workforce development, through coaching, reflective practice, accurate recording, and adherence to safeguarding, governance and organisational requirements.
About You
We are looking for someone who:
- Has significant experience working in drug and alcohol services.
- Understands the impact of parental substance misuse on child development and safety.
- Is confident working within safeguarding frameworks.
- Can engage ambivalent or resistant parents using motivational and trauma-informed approaches.
- Is comfortable offering consultation and professional challenge within multi-disciplinary teams.
- Holds a full UK driving licence and access to a roadworthy vehicle.
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 (3x 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
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.
Recovery Navigator in Weymouth 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 Navigator in Weymouth
✨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 Navigator in Weymouth
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.
