Criminal Justice Recovery Coordinator

Recovery Focus; Bishop Auckland; 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)

Birthday leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Waythrough is recruiting a Recovery Coordinator – Criminal Justice to manage a caseload and provide person-centred support to individuals with substance use challenges in the criminal justice system. You will deliver evidence-based interventions, coordinate with probation and court partners, and help service users move toward recovery and safer outcomes.

The role requires compassion, strong organisational and IT skills, and the ability to work across sites with occasional evening/weekend

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• Ability to complete assessments and manage risk effectively.
• Understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and promoting positive outcomes for individuals and families.

Responsibilities

• Manage caseload and develop recovery plans.
• Complete triage, screening and assessments.
• Undertake risk and safeguarding assessments with ongoing case management.
• Deliver psychosocial interventions (one-to-one and group work).
• Collaborate with Probation, court colleagues and other criminal justice partners.
• Support ATRs and DRRs and assist reintegration into the community.
• Provide prison in-reach when required and coordinate community services.
• Maintain clear, up-to-date case records and documentation.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

IT literacy

Risk assessment

Relationship building

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Location: Saddler House, Saddler Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7BH

Salary: £25,877.80 – £34,240 per annum

Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

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

As a Recovery Coordinator – Criminal Justice, you will manage your own caseload, providing person-centred support to people experiencing drug and alcohol-related challenges who are involved in the criminal justice system.

From initial assessment and engagement through to structured treatment and sustained recovery, you will work collaboratively with service users, colleagues, families, Probation, court teams and other partner agencies to help individuals reduce harm, address the issues affecting their lives and move towards a more positive future.

You will also contribute to the delivery of criminal justice interventions, including Alcohol Treatment Requirements (ATRs) and Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRRs), and support effective resettlement and reintegration into the community.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload, developing, delivering and reviewing individual recovery plans and treatment interventions.
• Complete triage, screening and comprehensive assessments to identify individual needs, risks and appropriate support.
• Undertake risk assessments, safeguarding assessments and ongoing case management, maintaining accurate records using online case management systems.
• Deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions, including one-to-one and group work, to support recovery and positive behaviour change.
• Work collaboratively with Probation, court colleagues and other criminal justice partners to complete suitability assessments and prepare reports to inform sentencing options.
• Support the delivery of Alcohol Treatment Requirements (ATRs) and Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRRs), helping individuals engage with treatment and achieve positive outcomes.
• Where required, provide prison in-reach to support people preparing for release, including those who are abstinent, and help them access appropriate community services.
• Work alongside partner agencies to coordinate support, facilitate access to treatment and strengthen individuals’ connections with their local communities.
• Support families, carers and significant others, promoting positive family involvement in recovery and reducing the impact of substance use on family life.
• Contribute to harm reduction activities, including drug screening, blood-borne virus (BBV) testing, immunisation, needle exchange services and tailored drug and alcohol interventions.
• Promote visible recovery and ensure service users can access appropriate peer support and community resources.
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, following organisational policies and working with relevant safeguarding authorities where required.
• Maintain clear, accurate and up-to-date case records, reports and other documentation, sharing information appropriately with colleagues and partner agencies.
• Participate in team meetings, clinical supervision, performance reviews and ongoing professional development.
• Work flexibly across operational sites and support evening and weekend service provision where required.

About You

We are looking for someone who is compassionate, organised and committed to helping people overcome challenges associated with substance use and involvement in the criminal justice system.

You will ideally have:

• An NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care, or an equivalent qualification, or a willingness to work towards this in post.
• Strong communication, organisational and IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
• The ability to complete assessments, develop recovery plans and manage risk effectively.
• An understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality and the importance of promoting positive outcomes for individuals and families.
• The ability to build effective relationships with service users, families, colleagues and external partner agencies.
• A compassionate, non-judgemental and person-centred approach.
• The confidence to work independently, manage a caseload and contribute positively to a multidisciplinary team.
• A commitment to ongoing learning, professional development and evidence-based practice.

Experience of delivering brief interventions, motivational interviewing, psychosocial interventions, cognitive behavioural approaches or other therapeutic support would be advantageous. Knowledge of harm reduction, recovery planning, working with families and carers, and criminal justice services would also be beneficial.

However, we are keen to hear from candidates with transferable skills who have the right attitude and a genuine desire to help others make lasting positive changes.

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to join a dedicated team where you can make a meaningful difference to the lives of people affected by substance use and the criminal justice system.

You will work alongside a range of professionals and partner agencies to support recovery, reduce harm and help individuals build healthier, more independent futures.

If you are passionate about helping others and ready to take the next step in your career, we would 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 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:

2026-11-06