Youth Worker (Substance Use focus)

CNWL NHS Foundation Trust; Greater London; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health service provider in Greater London is seeking a Youth Worker to support children and young people (CYP) dealing with health and wellbeing challenges. This role focuses on delivering engaging activities and interventions to foster well-being and positive health outcomes. Candidates should have excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with an emphasis on empowerment, diversity, and inclusion. The position requires collaboration with a variety of stakeholders to ensure effective service delivery and the highest quality of care.

Qualifications

• Possess good communication skills with excellent interpersonal skills.
• Ability to listen to others' views.
• Respect and value individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Establish effective relationships with CYP using evidence-based approaches.
• Assess the needs of CYP, maintaining up-to-date risk assessments.
• Develop and deliver social support events to encourage engagement.
• Deliver and evaluate one-on-one and group interventions.
• Co-produce educational materials with CYP for campaigns.
• Support equality, diversity, and the rights of individuals.
• Manage individual transfers between agencies and services.

Skills

Good communication skills

Excellent interpersonal skills

Ability to listen to others' views

Job description

About the Service

CNWL Addictions directorate are proud to be recruiting for a new Children and Young People's (CYP) Health and Wellbeing Service for Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. We are committed to supporting children and young people (CYP) who experience difficulties in relation to substance use. This role is to work as a member of CYP service within the Boroughs, including partnership working, networking and attending relevant meetings/events.

CNWL Addictions Directorate are an established, strong and innovative directorate. The Children and Young People's (CYP) Health and Wellbeing Service for Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster is a new service within the Directorate. We have an inclusive, welcoming and supportive culture. There is a visible and supportive management team and a strong emphasis on training and professional development opportunities.

About the Role

This exciting and innovative role of the Youth Worker is to provide engaging activities and interventions to CYP who have achieved their goals in relation to their health, wellbeing, substance use or nearing completion of their support around someone else’s substance use. The role will work closely with our Events Coordinator Apprentice (with Lived Experience) to deliver, primarily group-based but also some 1:1 support, advice and information for CYP with a focus on exiting support services by building their sense of well-being, self-esteem, identity and integration within the community.

The role should encourage prevention and recognition of the importance of education and health to protect the CYP from harm and support improvement in their overall lifestyle and positive health outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Establish effective relationships with CYP. Using effective, evidence-based approaches and communication skills that identify individuals’ interests and empower CYP.
• Assess the needs of CYP, maintaining up-to-date risk assessment and safety planning.
• Develop and deliver appropriate social support events, encouraging CYP engagement in peer activities.
• Deliver and evaluate 1-1 and group-based interventions for CYP as part of the Youth Group model.
• Co‑produce with CYP educational materials to deliver alongside campaigns and training to external organisations, communities and universal services.
• Use motivation techniques to engage CYP transitioning into universal services.
• Act in a way that supports equality, diversity and the rights of individuals, ensuring practice is in accordance with Trust policies. Identify and take action when own or others’ actions undermine equality and diversity.
• Work as a member of and under the supervision of the team.
• Use agreed and established Outcome Monitoring Tools and any other relevant quality measures to support the delivery of contracted service.
• Manage the transfer of individuals between agencies and services.
• Ensure the highest quality of service is delivered, following local and national quality and performance standards, guidance, protocols, procedures and practice guidelines.
• Ensure all work is performed in accordance with Trust policies and procedures.

Qualifications

You will possess good communications skills with excellent interpersonal skills, ability to listen to others’ views, respect and value individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds.

Immigration Status

This vacancy does not meet the criteria for Skilled Worker sponsorship, unless you meet the criteria by temporary exemption from current changes to immigration rules put in force on 22/07/2025. Separate provisions are applied to workers who have been sponsored and held continuously Skilled Worker visa since prior to 04/04/2024. As such, if you don’t meet the Transitional Provision above we are unable to consider your application unless you can provide documentary evidence of your right to work in the United Kingdom. If you believe you are eligible for sponsorship or already hold a valid right to work in the UK, please ensure you provide full details of your immigration status in the Pre‑Screening Immigration section of your application form. Please note role eligibility also depends on whether the role meets the salary threshold for the relevant occupational code (SOC CODE). For further info please visit Skilled Worker visa: Overview - GOV.UK

The advert closes on Monday 12 Jan 2026.