At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families facing challenges with substance use and mental health through tailored interventions.
- Company: Join Aquarius, a leading charity making a real difference in communities since 1977.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on families' lives while building strong relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting vulnerable individuals and strong communication skills required.
Location: Sinfin Family Hub, Derby
Working Hours: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,867 - £32,090
Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.
About Aquarius
Aquarius Action Projects is a long-established charity (since 1977) based in Birmingham with a national reach of contracts and Partnerships. Aquarius is a subsidiary of Waythrough, a large charity that specialises in mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. 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 passionate and driven practitioner to join our Intensive Family Support Programme, working with families affected by parental substance use. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference supporting families on the edge of care to create safer, healthier environments for their children. In this role, you’ll deliver trauma-informed, person-centred support, helping parents and carers build insight, reduce risk, and move towards recovery. You’ll work closely with partner agencies, including Children’s Services and treatment providers, to ensure families receive the right support at the right time. This is a community-based role, so being able to travel to meet families and partners is essential.
Key Duties
- Manage a diverse caseload, delivering tailored assessments, support plans, and interventions
- Build strong, trusting relationships with families and carers to support long-term change
- Work collaboratively with partner agencies to support engagement with treatment and safeguarding processes
- Attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings, including Child Protection and PLO processes
- Deliver a mix of face-to-face and digital interventions, including group work
- Support families to access community resources and specialist services
- Promote recovery, resilience, and positive outcomes for the whole family
- Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, ensuring the safety of children and vulnerable individuals
- Maintain accurate, timely records and contribute to service evaluation
- Take part in ongoing training, supervision, and professional development
About You
You’re someone who is empathetic, resilient, and motivated by making a difference. You’ll have experience supporting vulnerable individuals or families and feel confident working in a fast-paced, multi-agency environment. You’ll bring:
- Experience working with families, ideally within substance misuse, social care, or a related field
- A good understanding of safeguarding and risk management
- The ability to build trust and engage people in meaningful change
- Strong communication and organisational skills
- Confidence using IT systems and managing case records
- A proactive, flexible approach and a genuine passion for supporting families
Essential: A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle
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
At Aquarius, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of substance use or recovery, and from candidates from minoritised ethnic communities. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and identities to ensure our services are representative of the communities we serve. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.
Family Practitioner employer: Waythrough
At Aquarius, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through ongoing training and development opportunities, while our comprehensive benefits package ensures that our staff feel valued and appreciated. Located in Sinfin Family Hub, Derby, this role offers the chance to engage directly with families in need, making every day a rewarding experience as you contribute to positive change in their lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Family Practitioner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the field, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation and understanding their values. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their mission, especially around supporting families and mental health.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your responses to common interview questions, but keep it natural. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and showcase your skills effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Family Practitioner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Family Practitioner. We want to see how your skills can make a real difference in supporting families.
Show Your Passion:Let your enthusiasm for helping others shine through! Share specific examples of how you've made an impact in previous roles, especially in areas related to mental health or family support.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and focus on what makes you a great fit for our team at Waythrough.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this fantastic opportunity.
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand the role of a Family Practitioner and the specific challenges families face with substance use. Familiarise yourself with trauma-informed care and how it applies to your work. This will show your passion and commitment to making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Empathy
During the interview, share examples of how you've built trusting relationships with families in the past. Highlight your ability to engage vulnerable individuals and support them through difficult times. This is crucial for the role, so let your genuine passion shine through!
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific situations, such as safeguarding concerns or multi-agency collaboration. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios and your approach to resolving them. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and readiness for the role.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask insightful questions about the team dynamics, training opportunities, or the types of families you’ll be working with. This shows your interest in the position and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.
