At a Glance
- Tasks: Support individuals in recovery, manage caseloads, and lead a team of Recovery Navigators.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace welcoming applicants from all backgrounds and communities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and empower others to lead healthier lives.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent; managerial experience 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 have 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.
- Awareness 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.
Senior Navigator in Whitby employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. Located in the heart of Middlesbrough, our team enjoys a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and opportunities for continuous development, all while making a meaningful impact in the community through our vital mental health and social support services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Navigator in Whitby
✨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 Navigator in Whitby
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.
