Young People's Practitioner (Northampton)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Career progression

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Job summary

Waythrough in Northampton is seeking a Young People’s Practitioner to join our outreach team. You’ll visit schools, colleges, universities and community venues to engage young people at risk of substance misuse and guide them to the right support.

You should have experience with vulnerable groups, be able to deliver group work, and know safeguarding, confidentiality, consent and mental capacity. Flexible hours and locations are required.

Qualifications

• Experience with at-risk/vulnerable people in a community setting.
• Ability to deliver group work.
• Knowledge of safeguarding children, confidentiality, consent and mental capacity.
• Flexible approach to work - hours and locations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct outreach across schools, colleges, universities, places of worship and community venues.
• Raise the profile of services and provide first point of contact with advice and direction to support.
• Engage hard-to-reach young people and connect them with appropriate resources.

Skills

Substance misuse

Youth work

Psychology

Counselling

Mental health

Social care

Job description

Young People's 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 Do you want to work as part of a Dynamic and engaging team supporting Young People in Northampton? Due to project expansion, our Young People’s Substance misuse team are recruiting for several Young People’s Practitioners across the county. We have been providing structured and targeted interventions to young people engaging in, at risk of substance misuse or affected by parental substance misuse for many years. The post holder will work on an outreach basis, including visiting schools, colleges & universities, places of worship, youth service provisions & local community venues. Raising the profile of substance misuse services available to young people and also providing young people with that first point of contact providing advice and further direction into accessing the right support, particularly targeting outreach to engage 'difficult -to-reach' young people.

Holding relevant experience with skills or qualifications in either substance misuse/youth work/psychology/counselling/ mental health/social care you will also:

• Have experience of working with at risk/vulnerable people in a community setting
• Be able to deliver group work
• Be knowledgeable about: safeguarding children, confidentiality, consent and mental capacity and Hidden Harm
• Adopt a flexible approach to work - hours and locations

In return, we offer a range of benefits including:

• Generous annual leave
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Excellent Learning & Development Opportunities and Career Progression
• Generous Contributory Pension scheme

This is a permanent full-time role requiring the post-holder to work 37 hours per week. Working hours will be Monday - Friday, including some weekend and evening shift patterns.

To review the job description, please click here.

We are committed to increasing our diversity and we would welcome applications from those with lived experience and/or who are from a BAME background.

This is a rolling recruitment process; shortlisted candidates will be interviewed as and when they apply. It is a mandatory requirement of the application process for this post that candidates submit a CV and Supporting Statement, thus only candidates that provide this, and who meet the essential criteria within the person specification, will be considered for an interview.

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: 2026-10-08

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.