At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals on their recovery journeys, helping them improve wellbeing and build confidence.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, life assurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and empower others to live fulfilling lives.
- Qualifications: Compassionate individuals with strong communication skills and a commitment to helping others.
The predicted salary is between 26640 - 32560 £ per year.
Location: Derby City Life Links
Working Hours: 37 hours (full-time)
Contract Type: Fixed term (with the possibility of extension)
Salary: £25,877.80 - £30,868.31
About the role
Are you passionate about supporting people to improve their mental wellbeing, build confidence and achieve their personal goals? We’re looking for a Recovery Worker to join our team at Derby City Life Links, providing person-centred support to people on their individual recovery journeys. You’ll work alongside people to understand their strengths, needs, choices and aspirations, helping them develop the skills, confidence and support networks they need to live more fulfilling and independent lives.
About Derby City Life Links
Derby City Life Links provides a wellness and mental health recovery service tailored around the needs of the people we support. We provide information, advice, navigation and community recovery support, helping people access resources and achieve their recovery outcomes. Our approach focuses on strengths, individual needs and future aspirations, supporting people to take control of their lives and make their own choices and decisions.
What you’ll be doing
- Support people to manage and improve their wellbeing.
- Help people develop emotional management, personal and life skills to increase independence and self-esteem.
- Provide emotional support and encouragement.
- Support people to develop new meanings, purposes and opportunities in their lives.
- Empower people to take control through their own choices and decisions.
- Develop individual support plans and risk assessments.
- Manage your own caseload of key clients.
- Work with people to create meaningful, achievable and person-centred plans with positive outcomes.
- Complete key-working activities and ensure positive risk assessments are implemented.
- Signpost people to other services where additional support is needed.
- Maintain accurate and timely records.
- Liaise with external agencies, including community mental health teams, multidisciplinary teams and carers.
- Contribute to the safe, respectful and effective running of the service.
About you
We’re looking for someone who is compassionate, motivated and committed to helping people achieve positive change. You’ll need:
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- The ability to respond compassionately to sensitive and complex issues.
- The ability to motivate, support and advocate for people.
- Good listening skills.
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to plan and prioritise your workload.
- The ability to maintain accurate records.
- Good IT skills, including Word, databases and email.
- Personal and professional integrity.
- The ability to work effectively under pressure.
- A commitment to your own learning, development and training.
- Flexibility to meet the needs of the service and the people we support.
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.
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: 2026-10-02
Recovery Worker (Derby) employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both staff and service users. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to health equality, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the vibrant city of Sheffield, this role as a Health & Wellbeing Nurse allows you to be part of a dedicated team focused on transforming lives and promoting mental health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Recovery Worker (Derby)
✨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 Recovery Worker (Derby)
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.
