Criminal Justice Peer Support Apprentice

Recovery Focus; North East; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days’ annual leave

Pension with employer contribution

Life assurance (3× annual salary)

Birthday leave and extra days

Professional fee reimbursement

Job summary

Waythrough is recruiting a Criminal Justice Peer Support Apprentice to join the Durham and Darlington Liaison and Diversion Team. You will learn on the job while pursuing a Level 2 Health and Social Care apprenticeship, supporting people involved with criminal justice and community services.

You will work 37 hours weekly in a fixed-term, 15-month apprenticeship, with a salary of £20,875.40 per year and a driving licence required.

Qualifications

• Lived experience of mental health challenges, substance misuse, learning disabilities, or criminal justice system.
• Willingness to learn and build positive relationships with diverse groups.
• Ability to work within professional boundaries and confidentiality.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with people using the service.
• Help people access health, wellbeing and community services.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of interactions.
• Complete one day of study per week as part of the apprenticeship.

Skills

Caring

Good listener

Clear communication

Organised

Willing to learn

Empathy

Professional boundaries

Education

Level 2 Health and Social Care apprenticeship

Tools

Basic IT

Job description

Location: Thinford Investigative Police Hub, Meadowfield Avenue, Durham Gate, Spennymoor, Durham, DL16 6YJ
Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday (including study time)
Contract: Fixed-term, 15-month apprenticeship
Salary: £20,875.40 per annum

A driving Licence is Essential in this role.

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.

We’re looking for a Criminal Justice Peer Support Apprentice to join our Durham and Darlington Liaison and Diversion Team.

You’ll receive dedicated support and on-the-job experience while working towards a Level 2 Health and Social Care apprenticeship. You’ll learn alongside experienced practitioners and develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to build a career supporting people within criminal justice and community settings.

You don’t need previous experience of working in a support service. What matters is your willingness to learn, your ability to build positive relationships and your genuine desire to use your experience to help others.

About the role

The Durham and Darlington Liaison and Diversion Team works with people who come into contact with the criminal justice system and may have mental health, substance misuse, learning disability or other support needs.

As a Criminal Justice Peer Support Apprentice, you’ll work alongside experienced colleagues to help people access appropriate support and services.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop your skills and understanding while supporting people in a range of settings, including custody, court and the community.

With support from your colleagues, you’ll learn how to:

• Build positive, trusting and professional relationships with people accessing the service.

• Meet with individuals alongside Lead Practitioners, Support Workers and other members of the multi-disciplinary team.

• Support individuals to engage with appropriate health, wellbeing and community support services.

• Contribute to care planning and risk management alongside experienced colleagues.

• Work alongside police, probation, youth offending teams and other partner agencies.

• Support people in custody to engage with community services and other sources of support.

• Provide information, advice, guidance and emotional support to individuals and, where appropriate, their families and carers.

• Help people identify and access services that can support their physical and mental wellbeing and improve their life circumstances.

• Use your own lived experience appropriately and professionally to help people feel understood, valued and supported.

• Promote the value of lived experience within the wider Liaison and Diversion Team.

• Develop your knowledge of referral pathways and the support available across Durham and Darlington.

• Help develop resources such as service directories, posters and information for people accessing the service.

• Support service user engagement activities, including surveys and feedback.

• Develop effective relationships with partner organisations and support providers.

• Maintain accurate and timely records of your work and interactions with people accessing the service.

• Recognise and encourage positive engagement with support services.

• Complete one day of study each week as part of your apprenticeship.

You’ll be supported throughout your apprenticeship to put what you learn into practice, develop your confidence and work towards a recognised qualification.

About you

This role is particularly suited to someone who wants to turn their own experiences into something positive by supporting others.

You may have personal experience of mental health challenges, substance misuse, learning disability or the criminal justice system.

Your experience doesn’t have to come from previous employment what matters is how you can use your experience appropriately, safely and within professional boundaries to support others.

We’re looking for someone who is:

• Caring, compassionate and non-judgemental.

• A good listener who can build positive relationships with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

• Respectful and open-minded towards people’s individual experiences and circumstances.

• Comfortable working alongside professionals from different organisations and services.

• Able to communicate clearly and appropriately with individuals, colleagues and partner agencies.

• Organised and able to record information accurately and confidentially.

• Keen to learn, develop new skills and take on feedback.

• Able to maintain professional boundaries when using your lived experience.

• Committed to completing a minimum Level 2 Health and Social Care apprenticeship.

• Comfortable using basic IT and maintaining accurate records.

• Passionate about helping people access the support they need.

Your experience matters:

At Waythrough, we recognise the unique value that lived experience can bring to supporting others.

We actively welcome applications from people with personal experience of mental health challenges, substance misuse, learning disabilities or the criminal justice system, including experience of the custodial system.

You don’t need to have worked in a support service before. Your experiences as an individual, your journey, volunteering, community involvement and other life experiences can all provide valuable insight.

Lived experience will be considered as part of the recruitment process, with suitability for the role assessed on an individual basis.

The role involves working within professional boundaries and alongside people who may be experiencing complex and challenging circumstances, so we’ll support you to develop the skills needed to use your experience safely and appropriately.

If you’re passionate about helping others, ready to learn and want to turn your experience into a career supporting people, we’d love to hear from you.

To view the the Job Description 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: [e-mail]

Closing Date:

2026-10-02