At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people on their recovery journey from substance misuse through tailored interventions.
- Company: Join The Children’s Society, a trusted organisation helping young people for over 140 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for paid volunteering to support the community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience working with young people and knowledge of substance misuse is a plus.
Substance Misuse Practitioner – NORTH ESSEX
Permanent contract (funding ends 31 March 2030, possible 2‑year extension). 35 hours per week; £29,855 per annum. Based in Colchester; travel within the North quadrant.
Benefits:
- 36 days annual leave, inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave
- Matching up to 8% pension
- Free counselling service
- Opportunities to develop and widen your skills
- 2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation
About us:
The Children’s Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need. Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, conduct research and influence government to make changes, and provide training for professionals. Our value‑driven team changes the lives of children in this country for the better — and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.
The Role:
We wish to recruit a Substance Misuse Practitioner to join the established All Age Recovery Co‑ordination Service (AARCS), which we deliver in partnership with Open Road, supporting young people, adults and families affected by substance misuse. You will undertake individual assessments and risk assessment with young people up to 25, develop a person‑centred care plan specific to that young person and support them through their recovery journey with the service. This will be delivered through a range of tailored interventions, in both one‑to‑one and/or targeted group work capacity.
Key Skills and Experience:
- Substantial experience working with vulnerable young people, either paid or unpaid.
- Experience performing individual and group work interventions with young people and adults.
- Experience using Microsoft Office applications and other relevant data systems.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently as well as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Vehicle and driver’s licence required to meet role demands.
Additional skills and competencies that would be advantageous:
- Understanding and working knowledge of drug and alcohol use and addiction.
- Prior experience in the drug and alcohol field.
Closing date: Midnight on Monday 20th July 2026. Interviews Tuesday 28th July 2026; interviews will be held in person at the office in Chelmsford.
Safeguarding, diversity and inclusion:
The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. Our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation. In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission — this means removing personal information such as name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details. AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You are welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you — authenticity matters.
EYPDAS Practitioner (North Quadrant) in Chelmsford employer: The Children's Society
The Children’s Society is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across North Essex. With a strong commitment to employee well-being, we offer generous benefits such as 36 days of annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and opportunities for professional development, all within a supportive and inclusive work culture. Join us in Colchester, where your expertise as an EYPDAS Practitioner will contribute to vital services that change lives for the better, while enjoying a fulfilling career with ample growth opportunities.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land EYPDAS Practitioner (North Quadrant) in Chelmsford
✨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 The Children's Society.
✨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 The Children's Society!
✨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 The Children's Society, 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 The Children's Society 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 EYPDAS Practitioner (North Quadrant) in Chelmsford
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 The Children's Society:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Children's Society! 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 The Children's Society
✨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.
