At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to deliver high-quality support for individuals in the criminal justice system.
- Company: Join Via, a compassionate organisation dedicated to health and wellbeing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, supportive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with excellent career development opportunities and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real difference by helping people rebuild their lives and reconnect with their communities.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills, compassion, and ability to manage under pressure.
The predicted salary is between 38401 - 40399 £ per year.
Location: Kingston
Salary: £38,401 to £40,399 including London Weighting where applicable
Vacancy Type: Permanent/Full Time
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Application Deadline: Saturday, August 29, 2026
Job Summary
At Via, our mission is to provide the best health and wellbeing support to as many people as possible, helping them to change their lives for the better. Last year, we supported over 11,000 people across the UK affected by alcohol and drug use. Everything we do is driven by our values:
- Care. Care for people is at the heart of everything we do.
- Be human. We are accessible, genuine and humble. Always learning.
- Do the right thing. We're open, honest and inclusive. We get things done.
We want to recruit the very best talent. We believe in nurturing a positive workplace culture where our colleagues feel valued, recognised, empowered, and supported.
What we're looking for
This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-paced and growing organisation. We're looking for a Criminal Justice Team Leader for our Kingston Service. The Criminal Justice Team Leader is a key member of the leadership team, responsible for ensuring the delivery of safe, effective and high-quality substance misuse services for individuals involved with the criminal justice system.
The successful candidate will lead and coordinate Recovery Practitioners and support staff, ensuring excellent client engagement, care coordination, and the delivery of evidence-based therapeutic interventions in both one-to-one and group settings. They will be responsible for meeting contractual requirements, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and quality standards, while responding effectively to internal and external audits, including Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and support the Criminal Justice Team to deliver high-quality, recovery-focused interventions, ensuring safe, effective and person-centred services.
- Manage staff through supervision, performance management, coaching and professional development, while coordinating care planning, client engagement, safeguarding and multidisciplinary working.
- Oversee service performance by achieving contractual KPIs, SLAs and quality standards through audits, case reviews, risk management and continuous improvement.
- Ensure compliance with CQC standards, NICE guidance, safeguarding legislation, GDPR, Information Governance and organisational policies, while managing incidents, complaints and service risks.
- Develop strong partnerships with Probation, Police, Courts, Prisons, healthcare providers, commissioners and community organisations to improve outcomes for people involved with the criminal justice system.
- Deputise for the Service Manager, contribute to service development and promote a culture of equality, collaboration, learning and continuous improvement in line with Via's values.
This is not just a job - you'll help people rebuild their lives, reconnect with their family and friends, return to work or education, and much more. We're looking for individuals with compassion, good communication skills and the ability to stay calm under pressure. If you're someone who is a good listener, stays curious, and wants to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you.
Deadline: 29.08.2026 at midnight
Salary: £38,401.00 - £40,399.00 per annum including London Weighting where applicable
Vacancy type: Permanent
Working hours: 37.5
Our Recruiting Manager, Darren John, is happy to talk through this role, what a typical day might look like, development opportunities, and Via's national network. You can reach Darren at Darren.John@viaorg.uk or 07907 867 013.
Team Leader - Criminal Justice in Kingston employer: Via
Join a dynamic and ambitious team in Glasgow, where your leadership will directly shape the future of a fast-growing business in the sports and hospitality sector. With a strong focus on employee development, you'll enjoy a vibrant work culture that encourages innovation and collaboration, alongside a competitive salary and an impressive benefits package including uncapped commission and opportunities for progression. This is more than just a management role; it's a chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying a supportive environment that values your contributions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader - Criminal Justice in Kingston
✨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 Via.
✨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 Via!
✨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 Via, 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 Via 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 Team Leader - Criminal Justice in Kingston
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 Via:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Via! 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 Via
✨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.
