Criminal Justice Peer Support Apprentice

AQUARIUS ACTION PROJECTS; Spennymoor; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days’ annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Life assurance

Flexibility and support for study

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a Criminal Justice Peer Support Apprentice to join the Durham and Darlington Liaison and Diversion Team. The role blends on‑the‑job practice with a Level 2 Health and Social Care apprenticeship, enabling you to build practical experience supporting people in criminal justice and community settings.

You’ll learn to engage with health, wellbeing and community services, while developing professional relationships and recording outcomes with supervision from Lead Practitioners

Qualifications

• Personal experience welcomed and valued.
• Willingness to learn and develop new skills.
• Ability to build positive relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Excellent listening and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support people to access health, wellbeing and community services.
• Develop relationships with partner agencies and practitioners.
• Maintain accurate records of interactions and referrals.
• Complete college study day as part of the apprenticeship.
• Engage with service users in custody, court and community settings.

Job description

Criminal Justice Peer Support Apprentice

Location: Thinford Investigative Police Hub, Meadowfield Avenue, Durham Gate, Spennymoor, Durham, DL16 6YJ

Hours: Part-time (3 days working in custody, 1 day college/study time, and 1 day off per week)

Contract: Fixed-term, 15-month apprenticeship

Salary: £20,875.40 (This is a full time equivalent so will be pro-rate based on 4 days)

A driving Licence is Essential in this role.

About Waythrough

Make a real difference in your community

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 your dedicated college study day 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 career into a journey supporting people, we’d love to hear from you.

What We Offer

• 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 GoandAspirations portals

• £500Recommend a Friendbonus

• 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

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [e-mail]

Closing Date:

2026-10-02