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Youth Justice Drug & Alcohol Practitioner

Waythrough
6 hours ago
Part-time
On-site
North Yorkshire Horizons - North Park Road United Kingdom

Location: 7 North Park Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 5PD

Hours: Part-time – 2 days per week
Contract: Permanent, Part Time
Salary: £25,877.80 – £34,240 per annum (Pro Rata to hours worked)

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

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.

Make a real difference in young people’s lives:

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to make safer, healthier choices? Do you want to help vulnerable young people reduce the impact of substance use and build positive futures?

Join our team at Waythrough and play a key role in delivering specialist drug and alcohol support within the North Yorkshire Youth Justice Service.

About the Role:

We are looking for a motivated and compassionate practitioner to provide specialist substance use support to children and young people supervised by the Youth Justice Service (YJS).

You will work directly with young people at risk of or currently using substances, helping them to reduce harm, improve wellbeing, and make informed choices that support long-term positive outcomes.

Working collaboratively with YJS colleagues and partner agencies, you will provide advice, guidance, assessments, and interventions tailored to the needs of young people and their families.

Key Responsibilities:

As part of this role, you will:

  • Undertake assessments for children and young people supervised by the YJS in line with local and national standards

  • Provide case management including assessment, care planning, risk management, referral, discharge, and aftercare planning

  • Deliver effective one-to-one interventions and support plans tailored to individual need

  • Work collaboratively with partner agencies to provide coordinated support and shared interventions

  • Support children, young people, parents, carers, and families to reduce substance-related harm and improve outcomes

  • Identify safeguarding concerns and follow appropriate safeguarding procedures and guidance

  • Promote recovery-focused approaches and peer support opportunities for young people and families

  • Attend reviews, meetings, and multi-agency discussions, providing professional advice and reports where required

  • Deliver outreach, diversionary activities, and satellite advice services alongside partner agencies

  • Support the delivery of priorities and targets within the Youth Justice Service Strategic Plan

  • Work flexibly across operational sites, including occasional evening and weekend working where required

About You:

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Essential:

  • NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent qualification) or willingness to work towards this

  • Experience working with children, young people, and families, including vulnerable young people

  • Experience undertaking comprehensive assessments and risk assessments

  • Understanding of evidence-based interventions including MI, PSIs, CBT, and ITEP

  • Strong communication and report writing skills

  • Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and case management systems

  • Ability to work collaboratively with partner agencies and multidisciplinary teams

  • Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and procedures

Desirable:

  • Relevant professional qualification in areas such as addiction studies, youth work, counselling, social work, or therapeutic practice

  • Experience delivering one-to-one and group interventions

  • Experience working with young people affected by substance use within the criminal justice system

  • Knowledge of best practice frameworks including NICE, DOH, NTA, NMC, Care Quality Commission, and Caldicott Standards

We are looking for people who share our workplace values of kindness, courage, and respect, and who are committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people.

Additional Information:

This role requires an Enhanced DBS check with Adult and Child Barred List clearance. You will be expected to undertake continuing professional development, participate in supervision and appraisals, and work in line with all relevant legislation, policies, procedures, and Waythrough’s clinical governance framework.

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:

2026-06-05