At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families affected by substance use, delivering interventions and community engagement.
- 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: Dynamic team environment with clear pathways for career progression.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Passion for helping others, excellent communication skills, and a commitment to learning.
The predicted salary is between 28475 - 32219 £ per year.
Location: Winslade Way, London
Working Hours: 37 hours per week (Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm). You will be required to work one evening clinic (5pm–7pm) on a rota basis.
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £28,475 - £32,219
Make a real difference in your community. At Insight Lewisham, we provide free, confidential support to young people under 25, offering guidance around substance use, sexual health and relationships, while working with families to strengthen wellbeing and recovery.
About the Role: As a CYPF Support Worker, you will support children, young people and families affected by drug or alcohol use. This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to develop their knowledge, skills and experience within a supportive team, with a clear pathway to progress into a CYPF Practitioner role.
You will begin by carrying a smaller caseload while receiving training, supervision and support to develop your confidence across all areas of the service. As your skills and experience grow, you will gradually take on more responsibility and work towards managing a full practitioner caseload.
You will work closely with experienced practitioners, supporting the delivery of one-to-one interventions, group work, family support, outreach and community engagement. This is a varied and rewarding role that offers excellent opportunities for learning and career development.
What You'll Do:
- Support CYPF Practitioners in delivering high-quality support to children, young people and families.
- Build positive relationships with young people and families, helping them engage with the service.
- Carry a smaller caseload while developing the knowledge and skills needed to progress into a CYPF Practitioner role.
- Learn how to complete assessments, risk assessments, care plans, reviews and case recordings with support from experienced colleagues.
- Deliver brief interventions, harm reduction advice and wellbeing support under guidance.
- Support the delivery of group programmes, workshops, school sessions and community outreach events.
- Assist with the delivery of sexual health clinics, including Come Correct (C-Card) and brief sexual health interventions, following appropriate training.
- Work alongside families and partner agencies to support positive outcomes for young people.
- Recognise safeguarding concerns and report them promptly in line with safeguarding policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate and timely case records using the service's case management system.
- Participate in team meetings, supervision, reflective practice and ongoing training.
- Develop knowledge of local services and referral pathways to support young people and families effectively.
- Support service promotion, engagement events and awareness campaigns across the borough.
Development Opportunities:
This role has been designed as a development opportunity, providing structured support to help you progress into a CYPF Practitioner role. You will receive:
- Regular supervision and mentoring.
- Shadowing opportunities with experienced practitioners.
- Ongoing training in substance misuse, sexual health, safeguarding and family work.
- Support to gradually increase your caseload as your confidence and competence develop.
- Opportunities to develop specialist interests and progress within the service.
About You:
We're looking for someone who:
- Is passionate about improving the lives of children, young people and families.
- Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
- Is keen to learn and develop within a supportive team.
- Understands the importance of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
- Is organised, reliable and able to manage competing priorities.
- Enjoys working collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies.
- Is committed to continuous learning and professional development.
- Shares our values of compassion, respect and inclusion.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to build a rewarding career supporting children, young people and families, with a clear pathway to becoming a CYPF Practitioner.
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.
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: 2026-07-27
Children Young People and Family Support Worker (Lewisham) employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to impactful change, we offer a supportive work culture, generous annual leave, and various well-being initiatives, making it a fulfilling place to work for those passionate about guiding individuals towards recovery. Join us in a role where your contributions truly matter, and be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Children Young People and Family Support Worker (Lewisham)
✨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 Waythrough.
✨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 Waythrough!
✨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 Waythrough, 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 Waythrough 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 Children Young People and Family Support Worker (Lewisham)
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 Waythrough:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Waythrough! 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 Waythrough
✨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.
