Senior Practitioner – Young People’s Team

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave

Employer pension contribution

Life assurance

Flexible working pattern

Wellbeing support

Job summary

Aquarius is looking for a Senior Practitioner in Birmingham to join the Birmingham Young People’s Service. You will work with young people under 25 facing alcohol, drugs or family substance-use challenges, delivering specialist, person-centred interventions.

You will collaborate with families, professionals and partner agencies to ensure timely, appropriate support, manage risk and promote positive change.

Qualifications

• Relevant health/social care qualification or equivalent experience.
• Experience with young people and substance use, safeguarding and risk management.
• Strong communication and ability to work with professionals and families.

Responsibilities

• Assess needs, manage risk and deliver person-centred interventions around alcohol, drugs and wellbeing.
• Support young people with complex needs and challenges including mental health and housing.
• Provide guidance to families and professionals to improve outcomes.
• Coordinate access to health, social care, education and community services.
• Maintain case records and contribute to service development.

Skills

Communication

Partnership building

Multi-agency collaboration

Independent working

Caseload management

Education

NVQ Level 3+

Dip SW

Mental Health Nursing

Counselling or Addiction Studies

Tools

None specified

Job description

Senior Practitioner (Birmingham)

Location: Bristol Road (Aquarius)

Location: BirminghamWorking Hours: 37 per week (full time, flexible working pattern required)Contract Type: PermanentSalary: £29,468.50 - £31,795.89

Join Our Team – Make a Real Difference in Young People’s Lives!

At Aquarius, we believe every young person and their family deserves the chance to thrive.

Our Birmingham Young People’s Service works with young people under 25 who are facing challenges relating to alcohol, drugs, or the impact of a family member’s substance use.

We are looking for a dynamic and motivated Senior Practitioner to join our dedicated Young People’s Team. This is an exciting opportunity to use your experience and expertise to support young people with substance use and wider complex needs, helping them to reduce risks, build resilience and achieve positive change.

Working as part of our OHID-funded young people’s service, you will provide specialist interventions and support to young people, while also working closely with families, professionals and partner agencies to ensure young people receive the right support at the right time.

What you’ll be doing:

• Supporting young people:Assessing needs, managing risk and delivering person-centred interventions around alcohol, drugs, harm reduction, resilience and wider wellbeing.
• Working with complex needs:Supporting young people experiencing challenges such as mental health difficulties, exploitation, homelessness, family difficulties and vulnerability.
• Working with families and professionals:Providing advice, guidance and specialist substance use expertise to families, professionals and partner agencies to improve outcomes for young people.
• Coordinating effective support:Helping young people access appropriate health, social care, education and community services, while maintaining strong partnership working and effective safeguarding.
• Contributing to the wider service:Supporting colleagues, sharing knowledge and good practice, maintaining high-quality case records and contributing to the development of the Birmingham Young People’s Service.

What we’re looking for:

• Relevant experience or qualifications:A relevant qualification in health/social care, youth and community work or a related field (NVQ Level 3+, Dip SW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies or equivalent), or relevant experience within health and social care, education or substance use services.
• Young people and substance use experience:Experience of working with young people and/or families experiencing substance use and other complex needs, with a good understanding of safeguarding and risk management.
• Strong communication and partnership skills:Confidence working within multi-agency environments, building trust with young people and developing effective relationships with professionals and partner organisations.
• Professional and resilient approach:The ability to work independently, manage a varied caseload, respond to changing priorities and represent Aquarius positively.
• Commitment to positive change:A genuine commitment to strengths-based, person-centred practice and improving outcomes for young people and their families.

About Waythrough

Make a real difference in your community

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

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [e-mail]

Closing Date: 2026-10-02