Criminal Justice Worker

recoveryfocus; Bolton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days' annual leave, rising to 32

Pension scheme with 4.5% employer con.

Life assurance (3× annual salary)

Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly

Birthday leave (buy up to 5 days)

Professional qualification fee support

24/7 online GP access

Job summary

Waythrough Bolton is seeking a Criminal Justice Worker to support individuals facing challenges around mental health, substance use and offending. You will manage your caseload, carry out holistic assessments and provide personalised recovery plans within Better Days Bolton.

Join a charity delivering essential early intervention and tailored recovery interventions across criminal justice and community services, with a strong emphasis on partnership working and person-centred support.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or willingness to work towards this in post.
• Knowledge of criminal justice services, statutory orders and interventions.
• Understanding of MI, PSIs, CBT and ITEP.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive, professional relationships.
• Ability to work effectively with carers, families and external partner organisations.
• Good IT, organisation and record-keeping skills.
• Compassionate, non-judgemental and person-centred approach.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload, developing, implementing and reviewing individual recovery and care plans.
• Complete holistic needs and risk assessments and deliver appropriate interventions.
• Provide one-to-one support to help individuals reduce substance-related harm and offending.
• Support people to access appropriate treatment, recovery and wider support services.
• Work closely with Police, Liaison & Diversion, Probation, HM Courts, HM Prisons, housing and community agencies.
• Liaise with referring agencies regarding engagement, attendance and progress.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case notes, risk assessments and care plans.
• Work with families, mentors and volunteers to encourage advocacy, peer support and positive outcomes.

Skills

Caseload management

Risk assessment

One-to-one support

Communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care

Addiction studies/counselling/therapeutic qualification

Job description

Criminal Justice Worker - Better Days Bolton

Location: Better Days, Bolton

Contract Type: Permanent

Working hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03 per annum

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.

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 UK's leading mental health and social support charities and make a lasting impact every day.

We support over 125,000 people each year through our 200 services, empowering individuals to overcome challenges around mental health, housing and substance use.

About the Service

Better Days Bolton provides structured, evidence-based support to people experiencing difficulties with drug and alcohol use. We provide confidential assessment, treatment and recovery interventions, working alongside health, social care, criminal justice and community organisations to reduce harm and support sustained recovery.

As a Criminal Justice Worker, you'll work with individuals involved with the criminal justice system, providing holistic assessments and tailored one-to-one support. You'll help people address their individual needs, engage with appropriate treatment and support services, and work towards reducing the risk of first-time and repeat offending.

You'll manage your own caseload while building strong working relationships with criminal justice and community partners to ensure people receive coordinated, person-centred support.

What You'll Do

• Manage a caseload, developing, implementing and reviewing individual recovery and care plans.
• Complete holistic needs and risk assessments and deliver appropriate interventions.
• Provide one-to-one support to help individuals reduce substance-related harm and offending.
• Support people to access appropriate treatment, recovery and wider support services.
• Work closely with Police, Liaison & Diversion, Probation, HM Courts, HM Prisons, housing and community agencies.
• Liaise with referring agencies regarding engagement, attendance and progress.
• Maintain accurate and confidential case notes, risk assessments and care plans.
• Work with families, mentors and volunteers to encourage advocacy, peer support and positive outcomes.

These responsibilities reflect the JD's emphasis on caseload management, risk assessment, referrals and strong partnership working across the criminal justice system.

To Succeed in This Role

• An NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or willingness to work towards this in post.
• Knowledge and understanding of criminal justice services, statutory orders and interventions.
• An understanding of interventions such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), psychosocial interventions (PSIs), CBT and ITEP.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive, professional relationships.
• The ability to work effectively with carers, families and external partner organisations.
• Good IT, organisation and record-keeping skills.
• A compassionate, non-judgemental and person-centred approach.

A relevant professional qualification in areas such as addiction studies, counselling, social work or therapeutic practice would be desirable. Experience of recovery planning, risk management, safeguarding and delivering one-to-one therapeutic interventions would also be beneficial.

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 Emp