Harm Reduction Worker – Calderdale Recovery Steps
Harm Reduction Worker – Calderdale Recovery Steps

Harm Reduction Worker – Calderdale Recovery Steps

Full-Time 25877 - 34240 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
Waythrough

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Support individuals facing challenges with tailored harm reduction advice 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 ongoing training opportunities.
  • Other info: Be part of a supportive team where no two days are the same.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and help people rebuild their lives.
  • Qualifications: Passion for helping others; experience in health or social care is a plus.

The predicted salary is between 25877 - 34240 £ per year.

Location: 8–10 Carlton Street, Halifax, HX1 2AL

Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday–Friday (with flexibility including evenings and weekends)

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’re looking for a compassionate and proactive Harm Reduction Worker to join our Calderdale Recovery Steps team. This is a rewarding opportunity to make a real difference—supporting people affected by substance misuse to stay safe, reduce harm, and take positive steps towards recovery. You’ll work both in the service and out in the community, engaging people who may not currently be in treatment or who are at risk of disengaging. If you’re someone who can build trust, think creatively, and meet people where they are, this role offers the chance to have a meaningful impact every day.

What You’ll Be Doing

  • Supporting individuals through tailored harm reduction advice and interventions
  • Managing a caseload, including assessments, risk management, and support planning
  • Engaging people into treatment and helping them stay connected to services
  • Delivering outreach, in-reach, and community-based support
  • Providing practical advice on safer drug use, safer sex, and blood-borne viruses
  • Supporting needle exchange provision and wider health initiatives
  • Working closely with colleagues and partner agencies to improve outcomes
  • Encouraging service users to build confidence, independence, and recovery capital

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need to tick every box—but you should bring a genuine passion for supporting people and a willingness to learn. We’d particularly like to hear from people who have:

  • Experience in substance misuse, health, social care, or a related field
  • An understanding of harm reduction approaches
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to build trusting relationships
  • Confidence managing a caseload or working with people with complex needs
  • The resilience to work in a fast-paced, sometimes challenging environment
  • Knowledge of approaches such as motivational interviewing (MI), CBT, PSIs or ITEP would be beneficial, but not essential.

Why Join Us?

  • Be part of a supportive, collaborative team making a real difference
  • Work in a role where no two days are the same
  • Access ongoing training, development, and reflective practice
  • Opportunity to develop your career within substance misuse and recovery services
  • Help shape and improve services through service user involvement and innovation

A Realistic View of the Role

This work is incredibly rewarding—but it can also be challenging. You’ll be supporting people with complex needs and navigating difficult situations. In return, you’ll see genuine progress and play a key role in helping people rebuild their 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 email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk

Closing Date: 2026-05-15

Harm Reduction Worker – Calderdale Recovery Steps employer: Waythrough

Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and collaborative work environment where you can make a real difference in the lives of individuals facing challenges related to mental health and substance misuse. With a comprehensive benefits package, ongoing training opportunities, and a commitment to employee growth, you will find meaningful and rewarding employment in Halifax, where your contributions are valued and recognised.
Waythrough

Contact Detail:

Waythrough Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Harm Reduction Worker – Calderdale Recovery Steps

Tip Number 1

Get to know the company! Research Waythrough and understand their mission and values. This will help you tailor your conversations during interviews and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.

Tip Number 2

Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend local events related to mental health and substance misuse. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral.

Tip Number 3

Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to harm reduction and support work. Think about your experiences and how they align with the role, so you can share real-life examples that demonstrate your skills.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and shows your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it’s a great way to reiterate your passion for helping others.

We think you need these skills to ace Harm Reduction Worker – Calderdale Recovery Steps

Compassion
Proactive Approach
Harm Reduction Knowledge
Substance Misuse Experience
Health and Social Care Understanding
Strong Communication Skills
Trust Building
Caseload Management
Risk Management
Support Planning
Outreach and Community Support
Practical Advice on Safer Practices
Resilience in Challenging Environments
Motivational Interviewing (MI) Knowledge
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Understanding

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for helping others shine through. We want to see that you genuinely care about making a difference in people's lives, especially those facing challenges around mental health and substance use.

Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have in substance misuse, health, or social care. We’re looking for candidates who can demonstrate their understanding of harm reduction approaches and how they’ve applied them in real-life situations.

Be Authentic: Don’t be afraid to be yourself! We value authenticity and want to know who you are beyond your qualifications. Share your personal experiences or insights that relate to the role, as this can help us see how you might connect with our service users.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!

How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough

Know Your Stuff

Make sure you understand harm reduction principles and how they apply to substance misuse. Brush up on relevant approaches like motivational interviewing or CBT, even if they're not essential. This will show your genuine interest in the role and help you connect with the interviewers.

Show Your Compassion

This role is all about supporting individuals through tough times. Be ready to share examples of how you've built trust and relationships in previous roles. Highlight your ability to empathise and engage with people from diverse backgrounds.

Be Ready for Real Scenarios

Prepare for situational questions that might come up during the interview. Think about how you would handle challenging situations with clients, such as someone at risk of disengaging from treatment. This will demonstrate your problem-solving skills and resilience.

Ask Thoughtful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.

Harm Reduction Worker – Calderdale Recovery Steps
Waythrough

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