At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in recovery, manage caseloads, and lead a dedicated team.
- Company: Join Waythrough, one of England's largest mental health charities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming diverse backgrounds and experiences.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care and relevant experience preferred.
Location: Cleveland Business Centre, Watson Street, Middlesbrough TS21 2RQ
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £31,030-£41,980
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
An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a dynamic and impactful partnership within the Probation Dependency and Recovery Service, led by Ingeus. This service is designed to support male service users (18+) on community orders and post-release licences, delivering tailored interventions that address individual dependency and recovery needs as part of the Community Probation system.
As a Senior Recovery Navigator, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality casework and targeted interventions, ensuring a responsive, resilient, and flexible approach to supporting service users in their recovery journey. You will act as the key professional link between the service and the National Probation Service (NPS) Responsible Officer, building strong, collaborative relationships to effectively support service users in achieving sustainable recovery outcomes.
In addition to your direct casework responsibilities, you will provide line management, guidance, and support to Recovery Navigators within Waythrough, ensuring consistent delivery standards, professional development, and high-quality service provision across the team.
Duties include:
- Support the delivery and ongoing development of Waythrough’s D&R services, contributing to effective service management within a specialist recovery-focused area.
- Work directly with individuals accessing Waythrough services, supporting people with a wide range of substance use needs and varying levels of complexity.
- Lead, mentor and develop staff and volunteers within the D&R service, supporting their growth through recruitment, induction, training, performance management, supervision and absence processes.
- Use data, feedback and service insights to identify improvements and enhance outcomes for individuals accessing recovery support.
- Deliver Waythrough’s D&R provision across Probation settings and other community or co-located environments, ensuring services meet local and regional needs.
- Effectively manage and de-escalate challenging or high-risk behaviours, supporting individuals to regulate emotions while maintaining a safe environment for all.
- Build and maintain strong partnerships with Probation staff and other stakeholders to coordinate joined-up case management.
- Manage a caseload of individuals within the D&R service, working proactively from referral through to engagement, support planning and ongoing review.
- Support Service Manager to develop, deliver, monitor and improve processes, control systems and work environments to meet quality requirements and contractual needs including KPIs.
- Maintain operational relationships with local Probation staff to manage casework requirements.
What you'll need to succeed in the role:
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or above or equivalent)
- Relevant professional qualification e.g. addiction studies, counselling, social work, therapeutic qualification (desirable)
- Ability to build rapport with Service Users and to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Understanding of and ability to implement interventions, including brief interventions MI, PSIs, CBT and ITEP.
- Knowledge/Experience of the Criminal Justice System (desirable)
- Knowledge of harm reduction approaches in relation to substance misuse (where relevant to post) (desirable)
- Working with models of service delivery and issues relating to recovery planning and risk management plans (desirable)
- Previous managerial experience
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.
Senior Navigator in Middlesbrough employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community through mental health and social support services. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer comprehensive benefits including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a supportive work culture that values collaboration and inclusivity. Join us in Cleveland Business Centre, where you can thrive in a role that not only enhances your career but also contributes to the well-being of those we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Navigator in Middlesbrough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend local events, and connect with professionals on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that a CV just can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Waythrough and understanding their mission. Tailor your answers to show how your values align with theirs. This will make you stand out as a candidate who truly cares.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s your turn in the hot seat.
✨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 keeps you on their radar!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Navigator in Middlesbrough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Senior Navigator role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially around supporting individuals in recovery and managing casework.
Show Your Passion:We want to see your enthusiasm for helping others! In your application, share specific examples of how you've made a difference in people's lives, particularly in mental health or substance use contexts.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing straightforward and to the point. Use clear language to describe your experiences and qualifications, making it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the team.
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 the role. Plus, it helps us keep everything organised!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Senior Navigator and the specific challenges faced by service users. Familiarise yourself with relevant interventions like MI, CBT, and harm reduction approaches. This will help you demonstrate your expertise and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous managerial experience and how it relates to supporting Recovery Navigators. Think of examples where you've led a team or improved service delivery. This will highlight your leadership skills and ability to mentor others effectively.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on your communication skills. Practice how you would build rapport with service users and stakeholders. Use examples from your past experiences to illustrate how you’ve successfully engaged with individuals facing challenges, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about Waythrough’s D&R services and their approach to recovery. This shows your enthusiasm for the role and helps you gauge if the organisation aligns with your values. It’s also a great way to demonstrate your understanding of the sector.
