Criminal Justice Support Worker

Waythrough; Exeter; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 29,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading mental health charity in Exeter is seeking a dedicated Criminal Justice Support Worker to join their team. The role involves supporting individuals facing substance misuse issues within the community. You will be responsible for managing a caseload, conducting assessments, and leading group sessions, all while collaborating with various stakeholders such as Probation Services and local authorities. Ideal candidates will have strong communication skills and an understanding of recovery within a diverse environment.

Benefits

27 days annual leave rising to 32

Pension scheme with employer contribution

Life assurance

Enhanced sick pay

Professional fee reimbursement

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Experience managing a caseload of service users.
• Understand group dynamics and facilitation.
• Excellent interpersonal skills for diverse interactions.

Responsibilities

• Support a caseload of service users in recovery-focused interventions.
• Conduct ongoing risk assessments and referrals.
• Facilitate group sessions and workshops.

Skills

Communication Skills

Time Management

Knowledge of Substance Misuse

Organizational Skills

Understanding of Safeguarding

Education

Training in Substance Misuse or Social Support

Job description

Criminal Justice Support Worker (Exeter)

Location : Magdalene House Exeter

Working Hours : 37

Contract Type : Fixed-term

Salary : 24243 - 28930

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer healthier and more independent lives

Join Waythrough one of the UKs leading mental health and social support charities and make a lasting impact every day.

About the Role

Waythrough is passionate about supporting individuals to reduce their substance use and live happier healthier support people with multiple disadvantages including substance misuse & mental health as well as those who find themselves in the criminal justice system. Our services enable the people we support to improve their health, well‑being and employability.

This role forms part of the Together Drug and Alcohol service for Devon and you will predominantly work in the Exeter area but due to the needs of the service and the way our service works both roles may be required to work from any of the 3 hubs of Barnstaple, Exeter and Newton Abbott (travel expenses will be claimed when necessary). The role is to support the diverse criminal‑justice team and will be required to be flexible to its day‑to‑day working and task allocation. The role is to provide support to service users by welfare calls, assessing follow‑up calls, completing screening tools, inputting client records, updating client record systems, connecting with partners to share information, and supporting the team when sickness or shortages present themselves.

This role in Devon works alongside the Probation Service, the Police, Prison Service and the courts. You will work in shared working spaces of these partners as well as being in HM Court settings.

This is a great opportunity to enter the criminal‑justice team and provide a gateway to personal development of skills and knowledge – a platform to other roles that may become available and that you wish to progress to in time.

Hopefully this role appeals to you and we welcome an application today.

Responsibilities

• Supporting a caseload of our service users, including delivering a range of psychosocial interventions.
• Working as part of a multi‑disciplinary team to undertake ongoing assessments, risk assessments and appropriate referrals within the community.
• Facilitating group sessions with a range of individuals of varying backgrounds, including SMART Recovery.
• Working with partnership agencies to ensure continuity of care and support.
• Providing duty cover for individuals accessing our services.

About you

We’re looking for an individual with a real passion for working in a recovery‑focused environment. You’ll hold some transferable skills, ideally from working in a similar environment or sector.

You’ll also have:

• A knowledge and understanding of substance misuse and recovery.
• Experience of managing, planning and prioritising your own workload, delivering work of a high standard.
• An understanding of safeguarding.
• An understanding of group working, group dynamics and group facilitation.
• Excellent communication, organisation and time‑management skills.
• The ability to work well in a team environment alongside a range of people and organisations.

However, if you don’t have direct experience we have an intensive training skills academy as our induction that will help equip you with lots of the need‑to‑know information.

A Day in the Life

I am currently employed as a part‑time Criminal Justice Support Worker. What drew me to this role was the part‑time hours which suited my current situation and having recently spent 23 years working for Essex Probation Service, the role appealed to me.

As I progressed within the role I was able to embrace the diversity of the role, the colourful characters I met, listening to their current situation and together working on a plan to hopefully help them to address alcohol or substance use. The role also provided me the opportunity to cover different parts of the County apart from my base in Exeter, covering for staff shortages in Newton Abbott, Tavistock and Barnstaple.

Throughout my short time I have been supported from both management and staff, including some thorough training opportunities to help me to make sense of the new role I have been offered.

The main appeal for me was not only working with some fantastic people but also the variety of the role.

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‑opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support.

If you need adjustments or support to apply please email .

How to Apply

If you’re viewing this advert on an external platform such as Indeed please click Apply via Company Website to view the full job description and submit your application.

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

Key Skills

• Nursing Home Experience
• Developmental Disabilities Experience
• Direct Support
• Computer Operation
• Caregiving
• Case Management
• Special Needs
• Training & Development
• Child Protective Services
• Experience with Children
• Word Processing
• Addiction Counseling

Employment Type : Full‑Time

Experience : years

Vacancy : 1