At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in overcoming substance misuse challenges and build resilience.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people and your community.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth and understanding of substance misuse issues required.
The predicted salary is between 34240 - 34240 £ per year.
Location: The Orange Box Young People's Centre, Halifax (co-located services) - Driving licence required and access to a vehicle.
Working Hours: 30 hours per week, worked across 4 days.
Contract Type: 12 months post, with the possibility of a further two years' funding, subject to continued funding.
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240 per annum (pro rata for 29.6 hours per week, equivalent to £20,702.24 - £27,392.00 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'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.
Make a Difference to the Lives of Young People: Are you passionate about supporting young people to overcome challenges and reach their full potential? Do you want to be part of a service that creates meaningful change in the lives of children and young people? We are seeking a committed and enthusiastic Young Persons Substance Misuse Practitioner to join our Branching Out Team in Calderdale. This is an exciting opportunity to work within a Child First Youth Justice System, supporting children and young people to make informed choices, build resilience, and reduce the impact of substance misuse on their lives. The role is predominantly based within the Youth Justice Service (YJS), while working collaboratively across co-located services at The Orange Box Young People's Centre.
Contract and Working Arrangements: This post is offered on a 12-month fixed-term contract, with the possibility of up to a further 2 years' funding extension, subject to continued funding. We are committed to supporting both service delivery and staff wellbeing. Working hours can be flexible, and will be agreed in line with service needs to ensure the best outcomes for young people and families.
What You'll Do:
- Manage a caseload of young people, developing, implementing, and reviewing recovery plans and treatment programmes.
- Deliver specialist substance misuse assessments, interventions, and tailored support.
- Design and facilitate engaging one-to-one and group programmes that meet local needs.
- Support young people to access education, employment, training, and community opportunities.
- Work collaboratively with Youth Justice Services, schools, families, and partner agencies.
- Contribute to multi-agency assessments, meetings, and plans to promote safety and wellbeing.
- Deliver family-focused interventions and promote positive family involvement in recovery where appropriate.
- Support young people to transition into sustainable education, employment, training, or universal youth provision.
- Maintain accurate case records in line with organisational and contractual requirements.
- Stay up to date with safeguarding responsibilities, legislation, and emerging trends in substance misuse.
To Succeed in This Role, You'll Need:
- Experience working with children and young people and an understanding of their challenges.
- Experience in drug and alcohol-related work and knowledge of substance misuse issues.
- Understanding of safeguarding procedures and legislation relating to children and vulnerable individuals.
- Strong communication, assessment, and relationship-building skills.
- Experience working collaboratively in multi-agency or multidisciplinary settings.
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards it.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
- Driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Desirable Experience:
- Relevant qualification in youth work, substance misuse, social work, or related field.
- Experience delivering family-focused interventions.
- Experience facilitating group work and therapeutic interventions.
- Experience completing assessments, recovery planning, and risk management plans.
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.
Closing Date: 2026-08-25
Young Persons Substance Misuse Practitioner 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 Young Persons Substance Misuse Practitioner
✨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 Young Persons Substance Misuse Practitioner
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.
