Criminal Justice Recovery Coordinator

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

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Life assurance (3× salary)

Employee wellbeing benefits

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a Recovery Coordinator – Criminal Justice to manage a caseload of individuals with alcohol and drug-related challenges in the criminal justice system. You will assess needs, plan recovery, and deliver psychosocial interventions while coordinating with Probation, courts and partner agencies.

You will support ATRs/DRRs, help with resettlement, and provide prison in-reach when needed. A strong emphasis on safeguarding, documentation and multidisciplinary teamwork is required

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care or equivalent
• Strong communication, organisational and IT skills (MS Office)
• Ability to complete assessments, develop recovery plans and manage risk
• Understanding safeguarding, confidentiality and positive outcomes for individuals/families
• Ability to build effective relationships with service users, families and colleagues
• Compassionate, non-judgemental and person-centred approach
• Confidence to work independently, manage a caseload and contribute to a multidisciplinary team
• Commitment to ongoing learning, professional development and evidence-based practice

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload, develop, deliver and review recovery plans and treatment interventions
• Complete triage, screening and comprehensive assessments to identify needs, risks and support
• Undertake risk and safeguarding assessments and maintain accurate records
• Deliver evidence-based psychosocial interventions, including one-to-one and group work
• Collaborate with Probation, court colleagues and other partners to inform sentencing options
• Support ATRs and DRRs and help individuals engage with treatment
• Provide prison in-reach to support release and access community services
• Coordinate with partner agencies to access treatment and strengthen community connections
• Support families and carers to promote positive involvement in recovery
• Contribute to harm reduction activities and access to peer support and community resources
• Identify safeguarding concerns and share information with authorities as required
• Maintain up-to-date records, reports and documentation

Skills

Strong communication skills

IT proficiency (MS Office)

Risk assessment & safeguarding

Assessment & recovery planning

Independent caseload management

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

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

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 have 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

• 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 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: 2026-11-06

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.