Recovery Coordinator / Group Worker

Recovery Coordinator / Group Worker

Location: The Centre for Change, 81–88 Whinney Hill, County Durham, DH1 3BQ
Working Hours: 16 hours per week, over 3 days Monday to Friday (days and hours to be discussed)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary Banding: £25,877.80 - £34,240 (pro rata)

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

We have an exciting opportunity to join County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS) as an Alcohol-specific Recovery Coordinator, working at The Centre for Change in Durham city centre.

The role will focus on supporting people experiencing alcohol-related issues, with a particular focus on delivering recovery groups for individuals working towards the community and inpatient detox pathway.

You’ll support people from initial engagement through structured treatment and towards detox and sustained recovery. There is also potential to oversee a small caseload where required, devising, implementing and reviewing recovery and treatment plans.

You’ll work closely with colleagues, partner agencies, families and significant others to provide coordinated, holistic support and help people achieve their recovery goals.

What you’ll be doing

• Supporting individuals experiencing alcohol-related issues, reviewing ongoing care and treatment and working closely with the wider multi-agency team.
• Delivering face-to-face recovery groups for people working towards alcohol detox.
• Helping individuals develop the skills, confidence and motivation to work towards their goals of abstinence.
• Devising, implementing and reviewing recovery and treatment plans.
• Supporting progression from initial engagement through structured treatment towards inpatient or community detox.
• Delivering one-to-one and group therapeutic interventions.
• Using approaches including brief interventions, Motivational Interviewing (MI), PSIs, CBT and ITEP.
• Supporting harm reduction and reducing alcohol-related harm.
• Working collaboratively with families, significant others and partner agencies.
• Completing assessments, risk management and safeguarding activity and maintaining accurate records.

What you’ll bring

You’ll have a passion for making a difference, with Kindness, Courage and Respect at the heart of how you work.

You’ll have an understanding of alcohol-related issues and experience of supporting people through recovery. You’ll be confident building positive relationships and helping people make meaningful changes.

You’ll also bring:

• Experience of delivering one-to-one and/or group therapeutic interventions.
• An understanding of recovery planning, assessment and risk management.
• Knowledge of harm reduction and safeguarding.
• Experience of working with carers and families.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office and case management systems.
• An NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent, or a willingness to work towards this.
• A relevant professional qualification, such as addiction studies, counselling, social work or a therapeutic qualification, would be desirable.

Experience of working within a drug and alcohol service and delivering group work would be desirable, and we’re open to transferable skills and experience.

To view the full job description and person specification, CLICK HERE.

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: