Job Description

Youth Justice Substance Misuse Worker

Location: Newcastle Youth Justice Service, Block 1, Lower Ground Floor, Civic Centre, Barras Bridge, College Lane, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday - Thursday 09:00-17:00, Friday 09:00-16:30
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240 per annum
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time

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 Youth Justice Substance Misuse Worker to join our Newcastle Drug and Alcohol Service. In this rewarding role, you will work with young people involved with the Youth Justice Service, helping them address issues related to drug and alcohol use, reduce risk and build healthier, more positive futures.

Working as part of a supportive multidisciplinary team, you will manage a caseload of young people throughout their recovery journey, from initial assessment and engagement through to planned completion. You will deliver tailored interventions, develop recovery plans and work closely with families, carers and partner agencies to ensure young people receive the support they need to achieve positive outcomes.

This is an opportunity to make a genuine difference in the lives of young people, supporting them to build resilience, reduce substance-related harm and reach their full potential. While experience within substance misuse services is desirable, we welcome applications from candidates with transferable skills and experience working with children, young people or vulnerable adults.

What You'll Be Doing

• Managing a caseload of young people and coordinating their recovery journey.
• Completing triage, screening and comprehensive assessments.
• Developing, implementing and reviewing recovery plans and interventions.
• Delivering one-to-one and group-based psychosocial interventions.
• Completing risk assessments, safeguarding assessments and risk management plans.
• Working collaboratively with families, carers and partner agencies to improve outcomes.
• Supporting young people to access treatment, education, community resources and wider support networks.
• Building strong partnerships with agencies including Youth Justice Services, CAMHS, safeguarding teams, schools and community organisations.
• Promoting harm reduction, recovery and positive wellbeing.
• Maintaining accurate records and reports using electronic case management systems.

About You

We are looking for someone who shares our values of Kindness, Courage and Respect and is committed to helping young people make positive changes in their lives.

You will have:

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent) or willingness to work towards this qualification.
• Experience working with children, young people and/or vulnerable adults.
• Experience delivering one-to-one and/or group-based support.
• Strong communication, organisation and relationship-building skills.
• An understanding of interventions such as motivational interviewing and psychosocial interventions.
• Experience working with families and carers.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office applications.

Desirable

• A qualification in youth work, addiction studies, counselling, social work or a related discipline.
• Experience within substance misuse, youth justice, safeguarding or related services.
• Knowledge of recovery planning, safeguarding and risk management processes.
• Experience using case management systems.

For the 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:

2026-07-15