At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people on their recovery journey through assessments and tailored interventions.
- Company: Join a dedicated team at Newcastle Youth Justice Service making a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with strong community impact and collaboration.
- Why this job: Empower youth to overcome challenges and build a brighter future.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care and experience with young people.
The predicted salary is between 34240 - 34240 £ per year.
About the Role
Location: Newcastle Youth Justice Service, Block 1, Lower Ground Floor, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, College Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday – Thursday 09:00‑17:00, Friday 09:00‑16:30
Salary: £25,877.80 – £34,240 per annum (full earning potential depends on experience)
Contract type: Permanent, Full Time
Responsibilities
- Manage a caseload of young people throughout their recovery journey, from initial assessment and engagement to planned completion
- Complete triage, screening and comprehensive assessments
- Develop, implement and review recovery plans and interventions
- Deliver one‑to‑one and group‑based psychosocial interventions
- Complete risk assessments, safeguarding assessments and risk management plans
- Collaborate with families, carers and partner agencies (Youth Justice Services, CAMHS, safeguarding teams, schools and community organisations) to improve outcomes
- Support young people to access treatment, education, community resources and wider support networks
- Build strong partnerships with agencies to promote harm reduction, recovery and positive wellbeing
- Maintain accurate records and reports using electronic case management systems
About You
Essential:
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or willingness to work towards this qualification)
- Experience working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults
- Experience delivering one‑to‑one and/or group‑based support
- Strong communication, organisation and relationship‑building skills
- Understanding of interventions such as motivational interviewing and psychosocial interventions
- Experience working with families and carers
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications
Desirable:
- Qualification in youth work, addiction studies, counselling, social work or a related discipline
- Experience within substance misuse, youth justice, safeguarding or related services
- Knowledge of recovery planning, safeguarding and risk management processes
- Experience using case management systems
What We Offer
27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Justice Substance Misuse 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 Youth Justice Substance Misuse 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.
