Aquarius Practitioner (Northampton)

Recovery Focus; Gravesend; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Employee wellbeing

Cycle to work

Birthday leave

Professional fees

Employee assistance

Bonus

Discounts

Will writing

Job summary

Waythrough is recruiting a Recovery Practitioner for a permanent, full-time role based in North Northamptonshire. You will work 37 hours per week, with some weekend and evening shifts, to support young people and vulnerable groups in our community-based services.

The post involves outreach to schools and community venues, providing initial guidance and directing young people to the right support in substance misuse and mental health. Benefits include generous leave and development opportunities.

Qualifications

• Experience with at risk/vulnerable people in a community setting.
• Ability to deliver group work.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, confidentiality, consent and mental capacity.

Responsibilities

• Work on outreach visiting schools, colleges & universities, places of worship, youth service provisions & local community venues.
• Raising the profile of substance misuse services and providing first contact with young people for advice and direction.
• Deliver support and directions to access appropriate services for young people.

Skills

Substance misuse

Youth work

Group work

Safeguarding

Mental health

Job description

Recovery Practitioner

Location: North Northamptonshire (community based) Working Hours: 37 hours per week Contract Type: Permanent, full-time Salary: £26,229.63- £28,300 per annum

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.

Do you want to work as part of a Dynamic and engaging team supporting Young People in Northampton?

Due to project expansion, Aquarius Young People’s Substance misuse team are recruiting for several Young People’s Practitioners across the county.

Aquarius has been providing structured and targeted interventions to young people engaging in, at risk of substance misuse or affected by parental substance misuse for many years.

The post holder will work on an outreach basis, including visiting schools, colleges & universities, places of worship, youth service provisions & local community venues. Raising the profile of substance misuse services available to young people and also providing young people with that first point of contact providing advice and further direction into accessing the right support, particularly targeting outreach to engage 'difficult -to-reach' young people.

Holding relevant experience with skills or qualifications in either substance misuse/youth work/psychology/counselling/ mental health/social care

you will also:

• Have experience of working with at risk/vulnerable people in a community setting
• Be able to deliver group work
• Be knowledgeable about: safeguarding children, confidentiality, consent and mental capacity and Hidden Harm
• Adopt a flexible approach to work - hours and locations

In return, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Generous annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent Learning & Development Opportunities and Career Progression
• Generous Contributory Pension scheme

This is a permanent full-time role requiring the post-holder to work 37 hours per week. Working hours will be Monday - Friday, including some weekend and evening shift patterns.

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 and portals

• £500 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.

Closing Date:

2026-11-20