Criminal Justice Worker

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

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme with 4.5% employer

Life assurance (3× annual salary)

Enhanced sick pay

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

24/7 online GP access

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work

Blue Light Card discounts

Free will writing service

Job summary

Waythrough Bolton is seeking a Criminal Justice Worker to support individuals in the criminal justice system, providing holistic assessments, one-to-one support, and access to treatment and recovery services in a structured, person-centred approach.

You will work across agencies, manage a caseload and contribute to safer, healthier outcomes while developing professional relationships within a supportive charity environment.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or willingness to work towards.
• Knowledge of criminal justice services, statutory orders and interventions.
• Understanding of Motivational Interviewing (MI), psychosocial interventions (PSIs), CBT and ITEP.
• Strong communication skills and ability to build positive, professional relationships.
• Willingness to work with carers, families and external partner organisations.
• Good IT, organisation and record‑keeping skills.
• Desirable: addiction studies, counselling, social work or therapeutic practice qualifications.
• Experience in recovery planning, risk management, safeguarding and delivering one‑to-one therapeutic interventions.

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

Communication skills

Criminal justice knowledge

MI/PSIs/CBT/ITEP understanding

IT and record-keeping

Education

NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care

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

• 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: 2026-09-18

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.