Specialist Schools Co-ordinator

Recovery Focus; Erith; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 37,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave (rising to 32)

Pension scheme (4.5% employer)

Life assurance (3x salary)

Birthday leave

Cycle to Work

Job summary

Waythrough is seeking a Specialist Schools Co-ordinator in Bexley to deliver early drug and alcohol prevention education and support for pupils at risk of exclusion. You will work with schools, teachers, safeguarding leads and families to provide education, harm-reduction advice and early intervention.

The role focuses on delivering training, developing resources, and maintaining records while upholding safeguarding and governance requirements.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification; or willingness, ability and commitment to achieve the qualification.
• Experience of working with children, young people and families.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programmes.
• Proficient in providing training across a range of media, including digital platforms.

Responsibilities

• Provide drug and alcohol and healthy relationships training for teachers to help identify and support young people affected by substance use.
• Develop and deliver age-appropriate educational sessions, training, workshops and resources for school staff, students and parents.
• Support schools to provide early interventions for young people affected by their own or parental drug and alcohol use.
• Deliver harm reduction advice and identify emerging trends and risks affecting young people.
• Follow safeguarding procedures to identify, manage and prevent potential harm.
• Promote and support access to harm reduction services, including BBV testing, vaccination and needle exchange.
• Manage a caseload, including assessments, risk management, care planning, referrals, discharge and aftercare.
• Deliver outreach, diversionary activities, advice and information within the local community.
• Maintain accurate and timely records using appropriate case management systems.
• Participate in supervision, performance reviews, training and ongoing professional development.
• Work in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures and clinical governance requirements.
• Promote and demonstrate the organisation’s workplace values of being honest, committed and inventive.

Skills

MS Office

Training delivery

Child & family experience

Digital training

Education

NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care

Willingness to achieve qualification

Job description

Specialist Schools Co-ordinator

Location: Bexley

Working Hours: 0.6 hours per week (3 day per week role, with Thursday being a mandatory working day. The service operates Monday to Friday).

Contract Type: Part-time, Permanent

Salary: £28,690.00 - £37,126.37 per annum (pro rata).

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

As a Specialist Schools Co-ordinator, you will support schools by delivering early preventative advice and information to reduce the risk of harm from substances and increase the identification of and support for pupils at risk of exclusion due to drug and/or alcohol use.

You will work closely with schools, teachers, safeguarding leads, pastoral teams, young people, families and other relevant professionals to provide education, early intervention, harm reduction advice and support.

What You’ll Do

• Provide drug and alcohol and healthy relationships training for teachers to help identify and support young people affected by substance use.
• Develop and deliver age-appropriate educational sessions, training, workshops and resources for school staff, students and parents.
• Support schools to provide early interventions for young people affected by their own or parental drug and alcohol use.
• Deliver harm reduction advice and identify emerging trends and risks affecting young people.
• Follow safeguarding procedures to identify, manage and prevent potential harm.
• Promote and support access to harm reduction services, including BBV testing, vaccination and needle exchange.
• Manage a caseload, including assessments, risk management, care planning, referrals, discharge and aftercare.
• Deliver outreach, diversionary activities, advice and information within the local community.
• Maintain accurate and timely records using appropriate case management systems.
• Participate in supervision, performance reviews, training and ongoing professional development.
• Work in accordance with relevant legislation, policies, procedures and clinical governance requirements.
• Promote and demonstrate the organisation’s workplace values of being honest, committed and inventive.

What We Are Looking For

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent qualification; or willingness, ability and commitment to achieve the qualification.
• Experience of working with children, young people and families.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programmes.
• Proficient in providing training across a range of media, including digital platforms.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Relevant professional qualification, for example addiction studies, youth work, counselling, social work, therapeutic qualification, educational or teaching qualifications.
• Degree in educational studies, psychology, social care/sciences.
• Experience of using Management Information Systems.
• Experience in delivering, facilitating and developing training sessions or lesson plans.
• Experience of working with best practice frameworks, for example OFSTED, NICE, DOH, NTA, Care Quality Commission and Caldicott Standards.
• Understanding of and ability to implement trauma informed practice and interventions based on the whole family approach, including brief interventions MI, PSIs, CBT, SFT and ITEP.

Competencies

• We are looking for someone who can Lead and Inspire, Create and Innovate, Develop Our Talent, communicate impactfully, Deliver Results and Achieve Greatness, provide Service Excellence and Work Together effectively with customers, partners, commissioners and stakeholders.

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.

Closing Date: 2026-10-30

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.