At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing challenges with mental health and substance use through practical help and guidance.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds, with excellent career growth potential.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and help others lead healthier lives.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, plus experience supporting vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 26912 - 32892 £ per year.
Location: 5-6 Burleigh Court, Barnsley, S70 1XY
Working Hours: 37 hours per week 9am-5pm with late night Thursday 11am-7pm - on rota basis
Contract Type: Permanent
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’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.
About the role:
We’re looking for a compassionate and proactive HOPE (Health, Outreach, Prevention and Engagement) Worker to join our team. In this role, you’ll support individuals affected by substance misuse by providing immediate, practical help and encouraging long-term recovery. You’ll work closely with service users, professionals, and the wider community to reduce harm, prevent relapse, and help people build healthier, more stable lives.
Key Responsibilities:
- Service Delivery & Support
- Manage a caseload, completing assessments, risk assessments, and support plans
- Deliver brief and extended interventions to motivate change
- Support walk‑in assessments, referrals, and triage activity
- Work alongside Recovery Co‑ordinators to support structured recovery pathways
- Outreach & Engagement
- Deliver targeted outreach, in‑reach, and cross‑reach activities
- Engage service users and encourage participation in recovery plans
- Work with families, carers, and partner agencies where appropriate
- Health Promotion & Harm Reduction
- Provide advice on safer drug use, safer sex, and blood‑borne viruses (HIV, Hepatitis B & C)
- Support needle exchange services (fixed site and community‑based)
- Contribute to health campaigns and prevention initiatives
- Specialist Support
- Work with individuals using alcohol, opiates, and non‑opiates substances (including IPED, NPS, and OTC drugs)
- Support access to services that improve recovery outcomes and social stability
- Community & Pharmacy Outreach
- Work with pharmacies and communities to expand naloxone distribution
- Support and develop community needle exchange services
- Provide training on harm reduction and safe storage
- Complex Needs Support
- Work with partner agencies to support individuals with complex needs (e.g. homelessness, mental health, offending)
- Manage a small caseload requiring intensive, multi‑agency support
About you:
Essential:
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards it
- Experience supporting vulnerable individuals (e.g. substance misuse, mental health, or social care)
- Strong communication and relationship‑building skills
Desirable:
- Experience in outreach or community‑based roles
- Knowledge of harm reduction and recovery approaches
- Driving licence and access to a vehicle
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 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.
Closing Date: 2026-09-15
Hope Recovery Navigator in Barnsley employer: recoveryfocus
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a real difference in the community, offering a supportive work culture that values compassion and collaboration. With a focus on employee growth, we provide extensive benefits including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to inclusivity, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered. Join us in Barnsley to be part of a passionate team that is transforming lives through meaningful engagement and support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hope Recovery Navigator in Barnsley
✨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 recoveryfocus.
✨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 recoveryfocus!
✨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 recoveryfocus, 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 recoveryfocus 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 Hope Recovery Navigator in Barnsley
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 recoveryfocus:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to recoveryfocus! 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 recoveryfocus
✨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.
