Job Description

Young Persons Outreach Harm Reduction Worker

Location: Plummer Court, Newcastle, NE1 6UR
Working Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-5pm 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240

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 are looking for a passionate and motivated Young Persons Outreach Harm Reduction Worker to join the Newcastle Treatment and Recovery (NTaR) team.

In this rewarding role, you will work directly with children, young people and young adults, supporting them to reduce the harms associated with substance use and improve their overall wellbeing. The role includes extensive outreach and community-based work, engaging young people in a variety of settings including schools, community venues, family homes and partner agencies.

You will manage a caseload of young people, providing tailored support, recovery planning and harm reduction interventions while working collaboratively with families, carers and multi-agency professionals. You will support individuals throughout their recovery journey — from initial engagement and assessment through to structured interventions and ongoing recovery support.

Newcastle Treatment and Recovery (NTaR) is an all-age community drug and alcohol service supporting local people, families and communities across Newcastle. NTaR is a collaborative partnership delivered by CNTW NHS Foundation Trust alongside Waythrough and Changing Lives.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Delivering outreach and community-based support to children, young people and young adults across Newcastle
• Managing a caseload and delivering person-centred recovery and harm reduction interventions
• Completing assessments, support plans, risk assessments and safeguarding plans
• Delivering evidence-based interventions in line with NICE guidelines and best practice
• Supporting young people to access treatment, education, training, employment and community resources
• Building positive working relationships with families, carers and partner agencies
• Delivering both one-to-one and group interventions to support recovery and resilience
• Working collaboratively with professionals including schools, CAMHS, youth offending services, safeguarding teams and community organisations
• Supporting vulnerable young people, including those at risk of exploitation, offending or social exclusion
• Maintaining accurate records and contributing to a positive, recovery-focused service environment

What We’re Looking For

To succeed in this role, you will ideally have:

• Experience working with children, young people or vulnerable individuals within health, social care, youth work or substance misuse services
• Knowledge of substance misuse, harm reduction and recovery-focused approaches
• Understanding of interventions including Brief Interventions, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Psychosocial Interventions (PSIs), CBT and ITEP
• Experience carrying out assessments, recovery planning and risk management
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to engage young people in community settings
• Experience delivering one-to-one and group-based interventions
• Knowledge of safeguarding, hidden harm and adverse childhood experiences
• A compassionate, non-judgemental and person-centred approach

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of children, young people and families. You’ll join a supportive and values-driven team committed to delivering high-quality, evidence-based support that helps young people build safer, healthier and more positive futures.

For full job description and person specification, please 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:

2026-06-11