At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in their recovery journey and lead a dynamic team.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days of 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 or relevant qualifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 31030 - 41980 £ per year.
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.
- Apply and adhere to organisational policies at Waythrough, alongside Probation and wider criminal justice requirements.
- 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.
- Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of Waythrough’s recovery services, promoting innovation and best practice.
- Empower individuals to recognise their strengths and build confidence in their ability to make positive, sustainable changes in their lives.
- 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 use Microsoft Office programs
- Ability to build rapport with Service Users and to communicate effectively verbally and in writing.
- Aware of and ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
- 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)
- Delivering 1-2-1 and group therapeutic interventions
- Previous managerial experience
- Knowledge of working within Safeguarding and Hidden Harm
- Experience of supporting trainees, apprentices or volunteers through formal or informal structures
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: 2026-07-01
Senior Navigator employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the community, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, pension contributions, and opportunities for training and development, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. Located in Middlesbrough, this role as a Senior Navigator allows you to be at the forefront of delivering vital support services, fostering collaboration and innovation within a passionate team committed to recovery and social change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Navigator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, 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 company and its values. Understand what they do and how you can contribute. Practise common interview questions and think about how your experience aligns with their mission – it’ll help you stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your passion for helping others during interviews. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference in people's lives. This will resonate well with organisations like Waythrough.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission at Waythrough.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Navigator
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 in mental health, substance use, or social support, and show us how you can make a real difference in our community.
Showcase Your Skills:We want to see your skills in action! Use specific examples from your past work to demonstrate your ability to build rapport with service users and manage challenging situations. This will help us understand how you can contribute to our team.
Be Authentic:Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know what drives you to work in this field. Share your passion for helping others and how it aligns with our mission at Waythrough.
Apply Through Our Website:For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. This way, we can easily track your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it’s super straightforward!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you understand Waythrough's mission and the specific role of a Senior Navigator. Familiarise yourself with the services they provide and how they support individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. This will help you demonstrate your passion for the role and your alignment with their values.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your relevant qualifications and experiences, especially those related to addiction studies, counselling, or social work. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully supported individuals in recovery or managed challenging situations, as this will highlight your capability to excel in the role.
✨Build Rapport
During the interview, focus on building a connection with your interviewers. Use active listening skills and engage with their questions thoughtfully. Show that you can communicate effectively, as this is crucial for the role when working with service users and collaborating with Probation staff.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare a few thoughtful questions to ask at the end of the interview. Inquire about the team dynamics, ongoing training opportunities, or how success is measured within the D&R service. This not only shows your interest in the position but also helps you assess if Waythrough is the right fit for you.
