At a Glance
- Tasks: Support families affected by substance misuse and improve children's wellbeing.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working with travel across Lewisham sites; inclusive employer welcoming diverse backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and help families thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse support and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 28690 - 37126 £ per year.
Location: Lewisham (travel across sites required)
Working Hours: Full-time (37 hours, Monday to Friday)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £28,690.00 - £37,126.37
Make a real difference in your community. PCRS and Aftercare Lewisham are seeking an experienced Senior Parental Substance Misuse Practitioner to join our innovative Family Wellbeing Team, a multi-agency partnership led by Lewisham Children's Social Care. The team brings together professionals from substance misuse, mental health, children's social care and family support services to provide integrated support to parents whose children are subject to statutory Children's Social Care plans. The overall aim of the Family Wellbeing Team is to improve the safety and wellbeing of children affected by parental substance misuse and mental health needs. We support parents to address their substance use, improve their mental health and wellbeing, and tackle the underlying trauma that may contribute to these challenges, enabling them to provide safe and effective care for their children.
About the Role: As the Senior Parental Substance Misuse Practitioner, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality, evidence-based interventions to parents within the service. You will undertake comprehensive assessments, develop person-centred care plans, and provide effective health and psychosocial interventions to support recovery and positive family outcomes. You will also provide line management and supervision to the Parental Substance Misuse Recovery Worker, ensuring high standards of practice and professional development within the team. Working alongside Children's Social Care, Mental Health Practitioners, Family Practitioners and other partner agencies, you will contribute to integrated assessments, shared care planning and coordinated interventions that promote positive outcomes for families.
Key Responsibilities:
- Undertake comprehensive assessments and develop evidence-based care plans for parents experiencing drug and/or alcohol misuse.
- Deliver effective health and psychosocial interventions to support sustained recovery.
- Motivate and engage parents during the early stages of treatment, supporting them to access and remain engaged with substance misuse services.
- Provide line management and supervision to the Parental Substance Misuse Recovery Worker.
- Work collaboratively within the multi-agency Family Wellbeing Team, contributing to shared assessments, care planning, case discussions and group supervision.
- Liaise closely with Children's Social Care, Mental Health Services and other partner agencies to ensure effective service delivery, safeguarding and discharge planning.
- Maintain accurate clinical records and contribute to service development and continuous improvement.
About You: We are looking for an experienced practitioner with a strong background in working with adults affected by drug and/or alcohol misuse. You will be passionate about supporting families, confident in multi-agency working and committed to achieving better outcomes for children and parents. You will have:
- Experience of assessing and supporting adults with substance misuse needs.
- Knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and trauma-informed practice.
- Experience of delivering evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
- Excellent partnership-working and communication skills.
- Experience of supervising or managing staff is desirable.
- A flexible approach and willingness to travel across Lewisham sites as required.
This is an exciting opportunity to be part of an innovative integrated service, working alongside experienced professionals to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children and families affected by parental substance misuse.
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: 2026-10-09
Senior Parental Substance Misuse Practitioner (London) 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 Senior Parental Substance Misuse Practitioner (London)
✨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 Senior Parental Substance Misuse Practitioner (London)
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.
