Assessment and Fast Track Recovery Navigator

Recovery Focus; Barnsley; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days’ annual leave

Pension scheme 4.5% employer contrib.

Life assurance (3× annual salary)

Enhanced sick pay

Birthday leave and extra days’ annual

Professional fee reimbursement

24/7 online GP & EAP

Cycle to Work scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

Discounts via Charity Discounts

Free will writing service

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a compassionate Assessment and Fast Track Recovery Navigator to join the Barnsley Recovery Steps team. This frontline, client-facing role supports individuals from initial contact through their recovery journey.

You will conduct comprehensive assessments, manage a caseload, provide emotional support, signposting, and referrals, and maintain accurate case notes using electronic systems. Collaboration with external agencies is essential.

Qualifications

• Experience working or volunteering with vulnerable adults or people with support needs, especially those affected by drug/alcohol use.
• Understanding of recovery challenges and that every journey is different.
• Excellent communication skills with compassionate, non-judgemental approach.
• Experience carrying out risk assessments.
• Ability to set and work towards goals with individuals.
• Good organisational, time-management and IT skills.
• Ability to work well in a team and on own initiative.
• Maintain professional boundaries and follow organisational policies.
• Genuine interest in Waythrough’s mission, vision and values.

Responsibilities

• Support clients from initial contact through their recovery journey.
• Conduct comprehensive and risk assessments and complete documentation.
• Manage a caseload and deliver structured one-to-one interventions.
• Provide emotional support, signposting and referrals for unmet needs.
• Make pre-assessment calls, client check-ins and appointment reminders; re-engage disengaged clients.
• Maintain accurate case notes using electronic systems.
• Collaborate with external agencies and other professionals involved in care.
• Provide harm reduction information, BBV testing discussions and Naloxone distribution.
• Support group facilitation and access to recovery opportunities.
• Assist with home visits as needed.

Skills

Vulnerable adults experience

Communication skills

Risk assessments

Goal setting

Organisation & IT skills

Teamwork

Professional boundaries

Interest in Waythrough mission

Job description

Assessment and Fast Track Recovery Navigator

Location: Barnsley

Recovery Steps – McLintock’s Building

Working Hours: 37 hours per week, including a late shift on Thursdays (11am–7pm)

Contract Type: Permanent (Full Time)

Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03 per annum

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’re looking for a compassionate and motivated Assessment and Fast Track Recovery Navigator to join our Barnsley Recovery Steps team. This is a frontline, client-facing role where you’ll support people from their initial contact with the service and throughout their recovery journey.

What You’ll Do

• Support clients from their initial contact with Barnsley Recovery Steps and throughout their recovery journey.
• Complete comprehensive assessments, risk assessments and relevant documentation.
• Manage a caseload and deliver structured one-to-one intervention sessions.
• Provide appropriate emotional support, advice, signposting and referrals to help address unmet needs.
• Make pre-assessment calls, client check-ins and appointment reminders, and proactively contact people who have disengaged from the service.
• Maintain accurate and timely case notes using relevant electronic systems.
• Work collaboratively with external agencies and other professionals involved in an individual’s care.
• Provide harm reduction information, discuss blood-borne virus (BBV) testing and distribute Naloxone kits.
• Support the facilitation of groups and help people access appropriate recovery opportunities.
• Complete or support colleagues with home visits where required.

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

• Experience of working or volunteering with vulnerable adults or people with support needs, particularly those affected by drug or alcohol use.
• An understanding of the challenges of recovery from addiction or problematic substance use and recognition that every person’s recovery journey is different.
• Excellent communication skills and a compassionate, non-judgemental approach.
• Experience of carrying out risk assessments.
• The ability to set and work towards goals with individuals.
• Good organisational, time-management and IT skills.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team while also using your own initiative.
• The ability to maintain appropriate professional boundaries and work in accordance with organisational policies.
• A genuine interest in supporting Waythrough’s mission, vision and values.

If you’re passionate about meeting people where they are, helping them access the right support and empowering them to make meaningful changes in their lives, we’d love to hear from you.

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: [e-mail]

Closing Date: 2026-10-06

Waythrough launched in October 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough. Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support. We have 260 services around England – and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 130,000 people.