Senior Recovery Navigator

Waythrough; South Shields; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension with employer contribution

Life assurance (3× annual salary)

Birthday leave

Professional qualification reimburse.

Cycle to Work scheme

Blue Light Card discounts

Wellbeing initiatives

Employee assistance programme

Job summary

Waythrough, based at Cookson House with travel across the Northumbria area including Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle, is seeking a Senior Recovery Navigator to lead recovery casework within the Probation Dependency and Recovery Service. You will deliver high-quality interventions and work with individuals to support sustainable change.

The role combines lone working with team collaboration, mentoring colleagues, and occasional training delivery.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent is required.
• Experience within criminal justice and/or drug and alcohol services.
• Experience delivering one-to-one and group interventions.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and risk management.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload with recovery planning and review.
• Deliver one-to-one and group interventions to support change.
• Build strong relationships with Probation, Ingeus and partner agencies.
• Assess and manage risk and safeguarding concerns.
• Mentor and train Recovery Navigators and contribute to quality improvement.
• Maintain accurate records across IT systems.

Skills

Criminal justice experience

Interventions delivery

Communication skills

Independence and teamwork

Driving licence

Education

NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent

Job description

Senior Recovery Navigator – Dependency & Recovery

Location: Cookson House, with travel across the Northumbria area, including Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle and surrounding locations.

Working Hours: 37 hours per week. Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary Banding: £31,030 - £41,980

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.

About The Role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a dynamic and impactful partnership within the Probation Dependency and Recovery Service, led by Ingeus. This service supports male service users aged 18+ who are subject to community orders and post-release licences, providing tailored interventions to address individual dependency and recovery needs as part of the Community Probation system.

As a Senior Recovery Navigator, you will play a key role in delivering high-quality casework, recovery support and targeted interventions. You will work with people with a range of substance use needs and levels of complexity, helping them to make positive and sustainable changes in their lives.

This is a varied and fast-paced role, combining lone working with collaborative team working. You will build strong relationships with Probation colleagues and other partners, ensuring effective communication and joined-up case management.

You will also undertake selected senior responsibilities, including supporting the development of colleagues, delivering training and carrying out observations of Recovery Navigators when required. A key part of the role will be supporting people to recognise their strengths, build confidence and make positive behaviour changes, while effectively managing complex cases and working safely within sometimes challenging and unpredictable environments.

You will be expected to work flexibly across the Northumbria area, with Cookson House as your main base.

Interviews for this role are planned to take place on Wednesday 23rd September.

Duties Include

• Manage a caseload, providing recovery planning, case management and ongoing review.
• Deliver effective one-to-one and group interventions to support positive behaviour change.
• Build strong relationships with Probation, Ingeus and other partner agencies.
• Assess and manage risk, safeguarding concerns and challenging behaviour.
• Support Recovery Navigators through mentoring, training and observations.
• Contribute to service development, quality improvement and achievement of KPIs.
• Maintain accurate records and work effectively across multiple IT systems.
• Promote harm reduction and support individuals to achieve sustainable recovery.
• Work in line with Waythrough, Probation and wider criminal justice policies and procedures.

What You’ll Need To Succeed In The Role

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience within criminal justice and/or drug and alcohol services.
• Experience delivering one-to-one and group interventions.
• Understanding of substance misuse, harm reduction, recovery planning and risk management.
• Knowledge of interventions such as Motivational Interviewing, CBT, PSIs and ITEP.
• Experience of supporting, mentoring or developing colleagues.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and Hidden Harm.
• Strong communication, organisational and IT skills.
• Ability to work confidently both independently and as part of a team.
• Full UK 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 contact our recruitment team