At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges in their recovery journey.
- 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 and communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent; experience with vulnerable individuals.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Location: 5-6 Burleigh Court, Burleigh St, Barnsley S70 1XY
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm with a late shift Thursday 11am-7pm (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 are excited to offer the opportunity for a Community Recovery Navigator to join our Barnsley Recovery Steps Community Team. This is a dynamic and rewarding role and we are keen for anyone with experience or an interest in working within Drug and Alcohol Services to apply.
What You’ll Do
- Manage a caseload by creating, implementing, and reviewing ongoing recovery and treatment plans.
- Facilitate and promote the progression of individuals from initial engagement into structured treatment.
- Contribute to reducing substance-related harm to individuals and the wider community.
- Collaborate closely with key partners and colleagues to achieve the best health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals.
- Have excellent boundaries and ability to apply ‘co-production’ principles to any stage of treatment and recovery.
- Be able to think creatively about treatment options, changes and transitions in the context of a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency approach.
- Encourage service users to become involved in the service and in service user forums in Barnsley that will enhance their experience and increase a sense of belonging.
- By working diligently and proactively, as part of an integrated multi-agency team, you will apply intensive and co-created recovery solutions, enabling health & well-being improvements that are meaningful and sustainable.
- Successful applicants will provide substance misuse-specific knowledge and interventions, offering the right treatment to people, where they are at.
- You will be ensuring that ample treatment intensity is provided, at the appropriate pace and be able to think ahead making sure that doors are opened for enhanced recovery and mutually agreed ‘successful outcomes’ are achieved.
- Working to a Strength-Based Approach focusing on individuals and community assets, you will work alongside other frontline practitioners.
- You will be resourceful, able to articulate yourself appropriately on behalf of your service users and resilient to change and challenges.
- To support this, alongside line management you will be provided with regular and multi-disciplinary meetings, and supervisions.
About You:
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or above or equivalent) or willing to work towards this in post.
- Understanding of and ability to implement interventions, including brief interventions MI, PSIs, CBT and ITEP.
- Experience delivering 1-2-1 and group therapeutic interventions.
- Experience of supporting vulnerable people with substance misuse.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office programmes.
- Driving licence and access to a vehicle is desirable.
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: 2026-08-31
Community Recovery Navigator 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 Community Recovery Navigator
✨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 Community Recovery Navigator
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.
