At a Glance
- Tasks: Design and deliver engaging therapeutic group programmes for individuals affected by substance use.
- 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: Flexible working hours with opportunities for career growth and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and support individuals on their recovery journey.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or willingness to work towards it.
The predicted salary is between 25877 - 34240 £ per year.
Location: North Yorkshire Horizons, 56-60 Castle Road, Scarborough, YO11 1XE
Working Hours: 15 Hours - (To be agreed)
Contract Type: Part Time / Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 to £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
North Yorkshire Horizons is the county's drug and alcohol recovery service, providing advice, support and treatment for adults, young people and families affected by substance use. We're looking for a Criminal Justice Worker to join our team. You'll design and facilitate structured and unstructured therapeutic group programmes that promote recovery, reduce offending and help individuals address the issues linked to substance use.
Working closely with colleagues across the service and partner organisations including Police, Probation, HM Courts, Liaison & Diversion, Housing providers and HM Prisons, you'll ensure people receive coordinated, person-centred support throughout their recovery journey. You'll also identify individuals who would benefit from group work, deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions, and contribute to creating a visible culture of recovery across the service.
What You'll Do
- Design and deliver engaging therapeutic group programmes and psychosocial interventions that support recovery from drug and alcohol use.
- Facilitate structured and unstructured group sessions using approaches such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), ITEP, CBT-informed interventions and Motivational Enhancement Therapy (MET).
- Support people involved in the criminal justice system to reduce offending and achieve positive recovery outcomes.
- Build effective partnerships with Police, Probation, HM Courts, Liaison & Diversion, Housing, Community Organisations and HM Prisons to improve access to treatment and recovery support.
- Liaise with referring agencies regarding attendance, engagement and progress where appropriate.
- Assess individuals for suitability for group programmes and identify the most appropriate interventions to meet their needs.
- Promote harm reduction, visible recovery and peer support opportunities across the service.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues to coordinate care and improve outcomes for individuals and families.
- Complete safeguarding assessments, risk management plans and referrals where required.
- Maintain accurate and confidential electronic case records and contribute to service quality and performance standards.
- Promote the benefits of group work across the service and encourage referrals from colleagues.
- Participate in supervision, training and ongoing professional development.
About You
We're looking for someone who is passionate about recovery and enjoys helping people build confidence, resilience and lasting change.
Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or a willingness to work towards this qualification. A relevant professional qualification in addiction studies, counselling, social work or a therapeutic discipline is desirable.
Experience: Experience delivering therapeutic or structured group work, ideally with people affected by substance misuse or multiple disadvantage.
Recovery Practice: Knowledge of evidence-based psychosocial interventions, harm reduction, safeguarding and recovery-focused practice.
Criminal Justice Knowledge: An understanding of criminal justice services, offending behaviour and partnership working with statutory agencies is desirable.
Communication Skills: Excellent facilitation, communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to motivate and engage people from diverse backgrounds.
IT Skills: Confident using Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems to maintain accurate records.
Teamwork & Initiative: Able to work flexibly across operational sites, manage competing priorities and contribute positively within a multidisciplinary team. Some evening or weekend working may be required to meet service needs.
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: 2026-07-24
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Criminal Justice Worker
✨Get Involved in Community Events
Dive headfirst into community events and social work fairs in your area. These are great opportunities to connect with potential employers like Waythrough, grab some insider info, and showcase your passion for social work. Plus, meeting people face-to-face can really make you stand out!
✨Join Social Work Networks
Tap into social work networks and online communities, like local charities and organisations. Engaging in discussions or volunteering can help you build a strong reputation and could lead to part-time roles just like the one at Waythrough. The connections you make could be the key to landing your next opportunity!
✨Make Your Passion Shine
When approaching part-time roles, be sure to highlight your passion for social issues in conversations and informal chats. Bring your experiences to life through storytelling – this can resonate well with organisations looking for someone who genuinely cares about making a difference!
✨Keep an Eye on Local Job Boards
Part-time roles in social work might not always be advertised in the usual places. Keep checking local job boards or community centres for openings, and don't hesitate to apply directly through Waythrough's website – we love seeing proactive candidates who take the initiative!
We think you need these skills to ace Criminal Justice Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let your passion for social work shine through. Talk about why you're drawn to this field and how you've been involved in community service or support roles. We want to see your commitment and the heart you bring to the table!
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to spotlight any hands-on experience you have! Whether it's internships, volunteering, or relevant coursework, detail how your past experiences relate to the role at Waythrough. We love seeing candidates who have practical skills and a real understanding of social issues.
Certificates and Training Matter:If you've got any relevant certifications or training specific to social work (like safeguarding training or counselling qualifications), don’t forget to include these in your CV! These details can set you apart and show us you’re serious about your professional development.
Be Flexible with Your Availability:Since this is a part-time role, explain your availability clearly in your application. Let us know when you can start and how many hours you’re looking to work. Being upfront about your schedule will help us see how you fit into the team at Waythrough.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Show Your Passion for Helping Others
In social work, it's all about your commitment to making a difference. Be ready to share specific experiences that highlight your passion for helping others, whether that's through volunteering, placements, or personal stories. We want to see that genuine drive during your chat with Waythrough.
✨Know Your Social Work Theories
You might be quizzed on social work theories or models that inform your practice, like the person-in-environment approach. Brush up on these concepts and be prepared to discuss how you'd apply them in a practical setting. This could be a game changer in your interview for a Criminal Justice Worker at Waythrough.
✨Flexibility and Availability are Key
As you're going for a part-time role, highlight your flexibility and how it would fit with the organisation's needs. Have examples ready that demonstrate your availability for various shifts or urgent situations—that's just gold for a social work role.
✨Prepare for a Situation-Based Discussion
Expect scenario-based questions where you'll need to demonstrate how you'd handle specific situations with clients or stakeholders. Think of a couple of real-life scenarios you've encountered and articulate your thought process. This will show Waythrough that you're ready to hit the ground running in the Criminal Justice Worker role.
