At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in improving health and wellbeing through harm reduction initiatives.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic outreach role with excellent career growth and supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse services and strong communication skills required.
Location: Bishop Auckland base with outreach across the county
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (with one 30-minute early finish each week). You will also work one Saturday morning approximately every 12 weeks.
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240 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’re looking for a proactive and passionate Harm Reduction Outreach Worker to join our County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS). This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference by reducing drug-related harm and improving health outcomes for individuals and communities across County Durham.
As an integral member of our Harm Reduction team, you’ll deliver evidence-based interventions that help keep people safe, improve access to treatment and support recovery. Working across a variety of community settings, you’ll build strong relationships with partner agencies and promote harm reduction initiatives including Needle Syringe Programmes (NSP), Naloxone provision, Blood Borne Virus (BBV) testing and Hepatitis C awareness and treatment.
This is a varied outreach role where no two days are the same. You’ll have the autonomy to plan your own workload while working closely with colleagues across the wider service to ensure people receive the support they need, when they need it.
About the service
County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS) provides specialist support to people affected by drug and alcohol use across County Durham. Our dedicated multidisciplinary team delivers a range of interventions designed to reduce harm, improve wellbeing and support lasting recovery. The Harm Reduction team plays a vital role within the service, working with individuals, communities and partner organisations to increase awareness, improve access to life-saving interventions and embed harm reduction into wider health and social care provision.
About you
You’ll be passionate about supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing and thrive in a role where you can build relationships and make a visible difference within local communities. You’ll bring experience of working within substance misuse services or a related field, alongside an understanding of safeguarding, harm reduction principles and evidence-based interventions. You’ll be confident working independently in community settings while also being an effective team player.
- An NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or be willing to work towards this.
- Experience delivering interventions on a one-to-one and group basis.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, hidden harm and best practice frameworks.
- Strong communication and organisational skills with the ability to manage your own workload.
- Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle, as this is an outreach role covering locations across County Durham.
In return, you’ll join a supportive team where you’ll have opportunities to develop your skills, contribute to innovative harm reduction initiatives and play an important part in helping people live healthier, safer lives.
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 contact our recruitment team.
Harm Reduction Outreach Worker in Durham 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 Harm Reduction Outreach Worker in Durham
✨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 Harm Reduction Outreach Worker in Durham
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.
