Description

Senior Navigator/Dependency and Recovery Location: Cleveland Business Centre, Watson Street, Middlesbrough TS21 2RQ Working Hours: Monday to Friday 37 hours per week Contract Type: Permanent Salary: £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. 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 An exciting opportunity has arisen to join a dynamic and impactful partnership within the Probation Dependency and Recovery Service, led by Ingeus. This service is designed to support male service users (18+) on community orders and post-release licences, delivering tailored interventions that address individual dependency and recovery needs as part of the Community Probation system. As a Senior Recovery Navigator, you will play a pivotal role in delivering high-quality casework and targeted interventions, ensuring a responsive, resilient, and flexible approach to supporting service users in their recovery journey. You will act as the key professional link between the service and the National Probation Service (NPS) Responsible Officer, building strong, collaborative relationships to effectively support service users in achieving sustainable recovery outcomes. In addition to your direct casework responsibilities, you will provide line management, guidance, and support to Recovery Navigators within Waythrough, ensuring consistent delivery standards, professional development, and high-quality service provision across the team. Duties include; Support the delivery and ongoing development of Waythrough’s D&R services, contributing to effective service management within a specialist recovery-focused area. Work directly with individuals accessing Waythrough services, supporting people with a wide range of substance use needs and varying levels of complexity. Work with Service Users of varying complexity of need and across each Complexity Level (as applicable) Lead, mentor and develop staff and volunteers within the D&R service, supporting their growth through recruitment, induction, training, performance management, supervision and absence processes. Use data, feedback and service insights to identify improvements and enhance outcomes for individuals accessing recovery support. Deliver Waythrough’s D&R provision across Probation settings and other community or co-located environments, ensuring services meet local and regional needs. Apply and adhere to organisational policies at Waythrough, alongside Probation and wider criminal justice requirements. Effectively manage and de-escalate challenging or high-risk behaviours, supporting individuals to regulate emotions while maintaining a safe environment for all. Build and maintain strong partnerships with Probation staff and other stakeholders to coordinate joined-up case management. Manage a caseload of individuals within the D&R service, working proactively from referral through to engagement, support planning and ongoing review. Actively contribute to the continuous improvement of Waythrough’s recovery services, promoting innovation and best practice. Empower individuals to recognise their strengths and build confidence in their ability to make positive, sustainable changes in their lives Support Service Manager to develop, deliver, monitor and improve processes, control systems and work environments to meet quality requirements and contractual needs including KPIs. Maintain operational relationships with local Probation staff to manage casework requirements. What you'll need to succeed in the role; NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or above or equivalent) Relevant professional qualification e.g. addiction studies, counselling, social work, therapeutic qualification.(desirable) Ability to use Microsoft Office programs Ability to build rapport with Service Users and to communicate effectively verbally and in writing. Awareness and ability to maintain strict confidentiality. Understanding of and ability to implement interventions, including brief interventions MI, PSIs, CBT and ITEP. Knowledge/Experience of the Criminal Justice System (desirable) Knowledge of harm reduction approaches in relation to substance misuse (where relevant to post) (desirable) Working with models of service delivery and issues relating to recovery planning and risk management plans (desirable) Delivering 1-2-1 and group therapeutic interventions Previous managerial experience Knowledge of working within Safeguarding and Hidden Harm Experience of supporting trainees, apprentices or volunteers through formal or informal structures To view the full Job description please click here 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: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk Closing Date: 2026-07-01 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.