At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people facing challenges with drugs and alcohol through assessments and interventions.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, professional development, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to inclusivity and making a positive impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse or social care, and relevant qualifications preferred.
The predicted salary is between 25842 - 27829 £ per year.
Location: Telford
Contract: 12-month FTC contract
Working Hours: 37 hours per week (Full-time)
Salary: £25,842 - £27,829
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
As a Drug and Alcohol Recovery Practitioner within Aquarius Action Projects’ Young Person Service in Telford, you will work with children and young people aged 10+ and adults aged 18+ who are using, or are affected by, problems associated with drugs and/or alcohol. You will provide advice, assessments, brief and structured interventions and group programmes, supporting service users to achieve positive outcomes.
What You Will Do:
- Act as the initial point of contact for referrals into the service.
- Conduct initial assessments by telephone and face-to-face.
- Provide relevant and appropriate advice and harm minimisation support.
- Deliver brief and structured interventions and group programmes.
- Provide family interventions where appropriate.
- Undertake risk assessments and risk management.
- Make onward referrals to relevant partner agencies.
- Manage a caseload of service users.
- Work collaboratively with service users, families and external agencies to maximise outcomes.
What We Are Looking For:
- An understanding of substance use and associated health and social issues.
- Experience of working in an addictions, substance misuse or social care setting.
- A qualification in health/social care, youth and community work, such as NVQ Level 3 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling or Addiction Studies; alternatively, relevant experience of working in the substance misuse field.
- Good knowledge of alcohol, drugs and related health issues.
- Experience of liaising with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals.
- Confidence engaging with clients across a variety of service delivery settings.
- The ability to work professionally and collaboratively with service users, families and external agencies.
- An energetic, confident and self-motivated approach.
- Flexibility and a commitment to the principles of confidentiality.
- Excellent record-keeping skills and proficiency in Microsoft Office.
What We Offer:
- 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: 2026-09-16
Young Person Drug and Alcohol Recovery Practitioner (YOS Telford) 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 Young Person Drug and Alcohol Recovery Practitioner (YOS Telford)
✨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 Young Person Drug and Alcohol Recovery Practitioner (YOS Telford)
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.
