Job Description

Complex Needs Children and Young People's Practitioner (Gambling Treatment Team)

Location: West Midlands

Working Hours: 37 hours (full-time)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £27,751 – £29,942

Make a real difference in your community.

Are you passionate about supporting children and young people to overcome the impact of gambling-related harm? Do you want to work as part of an innovative, multidisciplinary team that empowers young people to build resilience, improve wellbeing and achieve positive outcomes?

We're looking for a compassionate and motivated Complex Needs Young People's Practitioner to join our Gambling Service. This is an exciting opportunity to deliver person-centred, trauma-informed support to young people aged 10–18 (and up to 25 where appropriate), helping them navigate complex challenges and reduce the impact of gambling-related harm.

About the Role

As a Complex Needs Young People's Practitioner, you will work directly with children, young people and their families, delivering holistic, strengths-based interventions that place the young person at the centre of their recovery journey.

Managing your own caseload, you will provide assessment, care planning, psychosocial interventions and ongoing support, working flexibly across communities, schools and partner agencies. You'll collaborate with professionals across health, education, social care and youth justice to ensure young people receive coordinated, timely and effective support.

This is a varied and rewarding outreach role where no two days are the same. Whether you're supporting a young person experiencing gambling-related harm, working alongside families, or advocating for access to wider services, you'll play an important role in helping young people improve their health, wellbeing and life opportunities.

What You'll Do

• Manage a caseload of children and young people, providing tailored assessments, support plans and evidence-based psychosocial interventions.
• Build positive, trusting relationships with young people and their families, empowering them to achieve their goals and improve resilience.
• Deliver outreach support across community settings, schools and partner organisations, ensuring services remain accessible and responsive.
• Work collaboratively with statutory and voluntary sector partners to coordinate holistic support and advocate for young people's needs.
• Identify, assess and manage risk, responding appropriately to safeguarding concerns and participating in multi-agency meetings where required.
• Support young people to access education, health, wellbeing and community services that promote long-term positive outcomes.
• Maintain accurate case records, outcome data and reports, ensuring compliance with organisational policies, safeguarding standards and data protection requirements.

To Succeed in This Role, You'll Need

• Experience working with children and young people within health, social care, youth work, substance misuse, gambling support or another related setting.
• A good understanding of safeguarding, child protection and trauma-informed approaches when working with young people and families.
• Experience managing a caseload and delivering person-centred assessments, support planning and interventions.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage young people from a wide range of backgrounds.
• The ability to work confidently with partner agencies and contribute effectively within multi-agency environments.
• Good organisational and IT skills, with experience maintaining accurate case records and outcome data.
• A flexible and proactive approach, with the ability to work independently across community settings while contributing positively to a supportive team.

Join us and help children, young people and families build resilience, reduce harm and create brighter futures through compassionate, evidence-based support.

This vacancy is being recruited on a rolling basis. We will review applications and invite suitable candidates to interview as applications are received. We reserve the right to close the vacancy at any time once a suitable candidate has been identified, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

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:

2026-09-25