Drug and Alcohol Practitioner

Recovery Focus; Leeds; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Life assurance 3× salary

Birthday leave & extra days

Professional fee reimbursement

24/7 online GP access

Cycle to Work scheme

Blue Light/Card discounts

Job summary

Waythrough is recruiting a compassionate Recovery Worker to support people affected by alcohol and non-opiate use in Leeds. You will manage a caseload, develop recovery plans and provide 1:1 psychosocial interventions from assessment through treatment and into continuing care.

The role requires an NVQ 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent) and strong IT and communication skills. We offer a generous benefits package and a supportive working environment.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent is required.
• Experience delivering 1:1 PSI, brief interventions and psychosocial care is preferred.
• Good IT skills, including confidence with Microsoft Office.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of individuals with alcohol and/or non-opiate use.
• Develop, implement and review personalised recovery and treatment plans.
• Provide 1:1 PSI and brief intervention support; holistic care planning and risk management.

Skills

NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care

Therapeutic interventions experience

Microsoft Office / IT skills

Strong communication skills

Compassionate, person-centred approach

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Drug and Alcohol Practitioner – Forward Leeds

Location: 3 Armley Court, Leeds, LS12 2LB Working Hours: 20 hours per week, Monday-Friday Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03 per annum pro rata

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.

About the Role

We’re looking for a compassionate and motivated Recovery Worker to support individuals affected by alcohol and/or non-opiate substance use. In this role, you’ll manage a caseload of people by developing, implementing, and reviewing personalised recovery and treatment plans. You’ll provide 1:1 psychosocial interventions (PSI), brief interventions, and holistic care planning to help people reduce harm and make lasting positive changes. Working collaboratively with partners and colleagues across the city, you’ll guide individuals from initial assessment through structured treatment, supporting their journey into recovery and onward care. If you’re passionate about empowering others, promoting wellbeing, and making a tangible difference in your community, we’d love to hear from you. This role is working with clients who are using alcohol and or non opiate substances.

What You’ll Do

Manage a caseload of people whose primary substance is opiates. Supporting, devising, implementing, and reviewing on‑going recovery and treatment plans. Facilitate and promote individuals’ progression from initial assessment into structured treatment. Provide 1:1 PSI and brief intervention support. Care planning and risk assessment/management. You will take a “whole person” holistic approach to ensure that every service user’s package of care encompasses all areas of their wellbeing, to achieve the best possible outcomes for every person. Reduce substance related harm to individuals and the wider community. Working collaboratively with key partners and colleagues across the city-wide partnership to achieve the best health and wellbeing outcomes for individuals. Support people to make positive changes and achieve their goals in treatment with a view of entering recovery and transferring care to our recovery and aftercare team.

To Succeed in This Role

An NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or a willingness to work towards this while in post. An understanding of and ability to deliver interventions including brief interventions, motivational interviewing and psychosocial interventions. Experience of working with carers and families. Good IT skills, including confidence using Microsoft Office. Strong communication skills and the ability to build effective, professional relationships with the people you support. A compassionate, person‑centred and non‑judgemental approach. Knowledge or experience of recovery planning, harm reduction, risk management and safeguarding would be advantageous. Experience delivering one‑to‑one or group therapeutic interventions would be advantageous. A relevant professional qualification in areas such as addiction studies, counselling, social work or therapeutic practice would be advantageous.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day.

• 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: 2026-10-16

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.