Drug And Alcohol Practitioner (Bedfordshire)

Recovery Focus; Rushden; 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× annual salary)

Birthday leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

Employee wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Aquarius is recruiting a Drug and Alcohol Practitioner for Bedfordshire Young People’s Service. You will support young people using drugs or affected by someone else’s substance use, delivering information, brief interventions, and longer-term supported care.

Working across schools, social care, health services and partner agencies, you’ll complete assessments, develop care plans, maintain confidential records and use Microsoft Office to keep documentation up to date.

Qualifications

• Understanding of drug and alcohol issues and Recovery Agenda.
• Experience with young people in addictions or social care.
• NVQ3+ in Health and Social Care or equivalent preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide information, advice and support to young people and groups.
• Deliver brief interventions and longer-term structured interventions.
• Complete comprehensive and risk assessments.
• Develop and review individual care plans.
• Support young people affected by substance use or others’ use.
• Work with schools, social care, mental health and youth services.
• Liaise with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals.
• Maintain accurate, confidential records.
• Use Microsoft Office and relevant systems for documentation.
• Contribute to a professional, recovery-focused service.

Skills

Drug and alcohol knowledge

Experience with young people

Communication skills

Microsoft Office

Education

NVQ Level 3 or above in Health and Social Care

DipSW

Mental Health Nursing

Counselling

Addiction Studies

Job description

Drug and Alcohol Practitioner (Bedfordshire)

Location: Bedfordshire

Working Hours: 37 hours (full-time)

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03

Make a real difference in young people’s lives

Do you have an understanding of drug and alcohol-related issues, the Recovery Agenda, and experience of working with young people in an addictions or social care setting?

Would you like to be part of an organisation that values the professionalism, insight, expertise and passion of its staff to inspire individual recovery?

If so, this could be an exciting opportunity to join us as a Practitioner within their Bedfordshire Young People’s Service.

We help people overcome the harm caused by drugs and alcohol, working closely with individuals, families and friends. As a Practitioner, you’ll play an important role in supporting young people to make positive changes and achieve their recovery goals.

About the Role

As a Practitioner, you will provide support to young people who are using drugs and alcohol or who are affected by someone else’s substance use.

You will provide a range of interventions tailored to individual needs, from information and advice and brief interventions through to longer-term structured support.

You’ll work directly with young people while also developing strong relationships with partner agencies to ensure they receive coordinated and effective support.

What You’ll Do

• Provide information, advice and support to individuals and groups.
• Deliver brief interventions and longer-term structured interventions.
• Complete comprehensive assessments and risk assessments.
• Develop and review individual care plans.
• Support young people affected by their own substance use or someone else’s use.
• Work collaboratively with schools, social care, mental health services and youth offending services.
• Liaise effectively with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals.
• Provide support across a variety of service delivery settings.
• Maintain accurate and confidential records.
• Use Microsoft Office and relevant systems effectively.
• Contribute to a positive, professional and recovery-focused service.

About You

We’re looking for an energetic, confident and motivated practitioner who is passionate about supporting young people and helping them make positive changes in their lives.

You will have:

• An understanding of drug and alcohol-related issues and the Recovery Agenda.
• Experience of working with young people within an addictions, social care or related setting.
• A relevant qualification in health and social care, youth and community work or a related discipline, such as NVQ Level 3 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling or Addiction Studies.
• Alternatively, experience working within the substance misuse field and a commitment to completing an NVQ Level 3 in Health and Social Care will be considered.
• Good knowledge of alcohol, drug and health-related issues.
• Experience of working collaboratively with voluntary and statutory agencies and health professionals.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Confidence communicating with partner agencies face-to-face, by telephone and via email.
• A flexible approach and the ability to work across different service delivery settings.

We believe in supporting people as individuals and helping them identify their own strengths, choices and goals.

You’ll be part of a service that works alongside young people, families, professionals and partner agencies to reduce the harms associated with substance use and support positive, sustainable recovery.

This is an opportunity to join a service where your professionalism, insight and passion can make a genuine difference to the lives of young people and their families.

About Waythrough

Waythrough provides specialist support across mental health, alcohol, drugs and related areas. We delivery high-quality, evidence-based services designed around the real needs of the people we serve.

Every year, we support around 125,000 people through over 250 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.

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 and portals
• £500 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

At Aquarius, we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from people with lived experience of substance use or recovery, and from candidates from minoritised ethnic communities. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, cultures, abilities, and identities to ensure our services are representative of the communities we serve.

We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

Closing date:

2026-11-16