Outreach Practitioner (North Northampton)

Recovery Focus; Northampton; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme with employer contrib.

Life assurance (3× salary)

Enhanced sick pay

Birthday leave and extra days option

Professional fee reimbursement

Job summary

Waythrough seeks an Outreach Practitioner in Northampton for direct work with young people and delivery of training and group sessions across schools and community venues.

You will engage professionals and communities, signpost support, and build partnerships to improve youth wellbeing. This permanent, full-time role focuses on safeguarding, flexible locations, and accessible services.

Qualifications

• Experience of working with young people or vulnerable people in a community setting.
• Experience or qualifications in substance misuse, youth work, psychology, counselling, mental health or social care would be highly relevant.
• Confidence delivering training and group sessions to both young people and professionals.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• A good understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, consent, mental capacity and Hidden Harm.
• A creative and flexible approach, with the ability to work across different locations and engage hard-to-reach young people.

Responsibilities

• Support young people: Provide advice, interventions and signposting, helping young people understand substance use and access the right support.
• Deliver training: Facilitate engaging training for young people and professionals, building knowledge and confidence around substance misuse, safeguarding and support.
• Engage communities: Deliver outreach across schools, colleges, youth services and community settings, reaching young people who may be difficult to engage.
• Build connections: Develop strong partnerships with professionals, schools and community organisations to improve support for young people.
• Facilitate groups: Deliver engaging group work and activities that encourage participation, raise awareness and promote positive choices.

Skills

Experience with young people or vuln.

Training delivery

Group sessions

Communication skills

Relationship-building

Flexible working

Education

Substance misuse/ youth work/ psychology/ counselling/ mental health/ social care qualifications

Job description

Outreach Practitioner

Location: Northampton
Working Hours: 37 hours (full time)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £26,229.63- £28,300

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping young people make positive choices and build brighter futures? Do you enjoy connecting with people, developing new ideas and creating opportunities that help young people feel heard, supported and empowered?

We have been supporting young people for many years, providing structured and targeted interventions to those who are experiencing, at risk of, or affected by substance misuse, including young people affected by parental substance misuse.

This is an exciting opportunity to join a dynamic and engaging team and play a key role in making sure young people know where to turn for support.

About the Role

This is a varied role combining direct work with young people, training delivery, group facilitation, outreach and partnership working.

You’ll work across schools, colleges, universities, youth services, places of worship and community venues, helping us reach young people who may be difficult to engage with traditional services.

A key part of the role will be facilitating engaging training and educational sessions for both young people and professionals. You’ll help young people develop their understanding of substance use, risk and support, while giving professionals the knowledge and confidence to recognise concerns, have conversations and signpost young people appropriately.

You’ll also provide advice, information and structured interventions, acting as an important first point of contact and connecting young people with the right support.

What You’ll Do:

Support young people: Provide advice, interventions and signposting, helping young people understand substance use and access the right support.

Deliver training: Facilitate engaging training for young people and professionals, building knowledge and confidence around substance misuse, safeguarding and support.

Engage communities: Deliver outreach across schools, colleges, youth services and community settings, reaching young people who may be difficult to engage.

Build connections: Develop strong partnerships with professionals, schools and community organisations to improve support for young people.

Facilitate groups: Deliver engaging group work and activities that encourage participation, raise awareness and promote positive choices.

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

• Experience of working with young people or vulnerable people in a community setting.

• Experience or qualifications in substance misuse, youth work, psychology, counselling, mental health or social care would be highly relevant.

• Confidence delivering training and group sessions to both young people and professionals.

• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.

• A good understanding of safeguarding, confidentiality, consent, mental capacity and Hidden Harm.

• A creative and flexible approach, with the ability to work across different locations and engage hard-to-reach young people.

Make a Difference

This is an opportunity to do more than provide one-to-one support. You’ll help young people make informed choices while building the knowledge and confidence of the professionals around them.

If you’re passionate about young people, enjoy facilitating training and want to make support more accessible across Northamptonshire, we’d love to hear from you.

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.

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

2026-09-09