Hope Recovery Navigator

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

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme (4.5% employer contrib)

Life assurance (3× salary)

Birthday leave

Professional fee reimbursement

24/7 online GP

Cycle to Work

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a compassionate HOPE Worker to support individuals affected by substance misuse, providing practical help and encouraging long-term recovery. You will collaborate with service users, professionals and the community to reduce harm, prevent relapse and help people build healthier, more stable lives.

The role involves outreach, health promotion and working with multi-agency partners to support complex needs, including homelessness and mental health challenges.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals (substance misuse, mental health, or social care)
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

Responsibilities

• Service Delivery & Support: Manage a caseload, complete assessments, risk assessments and support plans.
• Outreach & Engagement: Deliver targeted outreach and engagement with service users and partners.
• Health Promotion & Harm Reduction: Provide safer drug use advice and support harm reduction activities.
• Specialist Support: Work with individuals using various substances and support access to recovery services.
• Community & Pharmacy Outreach: Collaborate with pharmacies and communities to expand naloxone distribution.
• Complex Needs Support: Coordinate multi-agency support for individuals with complex needs.

Skills

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care

Experience supporting vulnerable users

Strong communication skills

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent)

Job description

Hope Worker Recovery Navigator (Health, Outreach, Prevention and Engagement)

Location: 5-6 Burleigh Court, Barnsley, S70 1XY

Working Hours: 37 hours per week 9am-5pm with late night Thursday 11am-7pm – on rota basis

Contract Type: Permanent

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.

About the role

We’re looking for a compassionate and proactive HOPE ( (Health, Outreach, Prevention and Engagement) Worker to join our team.

In this role, you’ll support individuals affected by substance misuse by providing immediate, practical help and encouraging long-term recovery.

You’ll work closely with service users, professionals, and the wider community to reduce harm, prevent relapse, and help people build healthier, more stable lives.

Key Responsibilities

• Service Delivery & Support
• Manage a caseload, completing assessments, risk assessments, and support plans
• Deliver brief and extended interventions to motivate change
• Support walk-in assessments, referrals, and triage activity
• Work alongside Recovery Co-ordinators to support structured recovery pathways
• Outreach & Engagement
• Deliver targeted outreach, in-reach, and cross-reach activities
• Engage service users and encourage participation in recovery plans
• Work with families, carers, and partner agencies where appropriate
• Health Promotion & Harm Reduction
• Provide advice on safer drug use, safer sex, and blood-borne viruses (HIV, Hepatitis B & C)
• Support needle exchange services (fixed site and community-based)
• Contribute to health campaigns and prevention initiatives
• Specialist Support
• Work with individuals using alcohol, opiates, and non-opiate substances (including IPED, NPS, and OTC drugs)
• Support aCcess to services that improve recovery outcomes and social stability
• Community & Pharmacy Outreach
• Work with pharmacies and communities to expand naloxone distribution
• Support and develop community needle exchange services
• Provide training on harm reduction and safe storage
• Complex Needs Support
• Work with partner agencies to support individuals with complex needs (e.g. homelessness, mental health, offending)
• Manage a small caseload requiring intensive, multi-agency support

About you

Essential

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or willingness to work towards it
• Experience supporting vulnerable individuals (e.g. substance misuse, mental health, or social care)
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

Desirable

• Experience in outreach or community-based roles
• Knowledge of harm reduction and recovery approaches
• Driving licence and access to a vehicle

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 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: 2026-09-15

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.