Substance Use Practitioner - Maternity cover
Location: Basingstoke
Salary: from £26,097 per annum depending on experience
Vacancy Type: Maternity cover for up to 10 months
Hours of work: Full time, 37 hours per week
Company Description
Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose - we call these our '3Ps'.
We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity, and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.
Hampshire 24/7 Substance Use Service
Our Hampshire 24/7 Substance Use Service is a county wide, community engagement based service, which offers targeted and specialist treatment to young people aged 25 years and under. We are a forward thinking, person-centred service, with a high level of credibility among young people.
We are a multi-professional team, with a designated worker in each district of Hampshire, and we are supported by our partnership with Inclusion Recovery Hampshire and Parent Support Link.
Job Description
Please note that this opportunity is maternity cover, covering a period of up to 10 months.
*This role requires access to a vehicle, and a full current driving licence.
We are looking to recruit a Substance Use Practitioner - Maternity cover in Hampshire, who will work with children and young people to make a positive difference to their lives.
You'll deliver specialist, targeted support to children and young people up to the age of 25, offering confidential and non-judgemental advice and guidance, regarding the use of drugs and alcohol, using a variety of therapeutic interventions.
The work can be challenging, but it is hugely rewarding. The services delivered by our Practitioners has proven to make a real change in the lives of our service users. Last year, 100% were satisfied with our service, 98% felt more able to make positive choices in life, 86% felt that their mental health had improved, and 91% of service users under the age of 18 left the service with a positive outcome (e.g. a reduction in risk, or an improvement in their circumstances).
In addition to the comprehensive training package offered by Catch22, you will also have the opportunity to develop your skills and expertise through a range of additional training, offered by Hampshire County Council. This role also offers the opportunity to build networks and work with a range of partner agencies and commissioners across the substance misuse sector.
Qualifications
We are looking for people with the following skills and experience:
- Minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with children and young people with complex needs or vulnerabilities. This could be within substance misuse, children's mental health, children's services, education, pastoral support, or SEN.
- An ability to build positive and trusting relationships with young people.
- An adaptable and resilient outlook, able to maintain a commitment to supporting service users
- Additional information
- You can work from home/remotely once or twice a week, but this is dependent on service requirements, so we are unable to guarantee specific days.
- You will be based in one of the hubs listed above, but the role will require regular travel across the region, so a driving license and access to a vehicle are required.
- This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS check.
We aim to review applications as quickly as possible. However, due to the volume of interest we receive, we may not be able to contact all applicants individually. If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been successful this time.
At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.
Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.
Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due dilligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media.
To Apply
If you feel you are a suitable candidate and would like to work for Catch 22, please click apply to be redirected to our website to complete your application.
37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.
As a Painter and Decorator, you will be based in Brighton and Hove, East Sussex, and will be required to travel and work across any of our YMCA DLG sites, with demand varying throughout the year. A full UK driving licence is therefore essential, and a vehicle will be provided.
YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.
We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.
We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.
Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.
The focus in our housing services is to help develop the young people’s skills and confidence so that they can move on from supported accommodation and live independently.
Do you take pride in creating safe, welcoming homes that make a real difference in young people’s lives?
Our Maintenance team works across multiple properties to give our residents a good quality, safe home, working closely with project staff to identify repairs required, make repairs, undertake ad hoc cleaning and decoration, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and to make empty homes ready for re-occupation.
We operate across Brighton, Guildford, East Sussex, and West Sussex, centred around our Foyers in Hove, Eastbourne, Hastings, Guildford, Horsham, Worthing, and Crawley which provide 24‑hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25. We also manage several larger shared houses (typically 4–8 residents) through our Transitional Housing teams, supporting young people on their journey to independence. This role will primarily deal with the sites within Brighton and Hove but the post holder must be prepared to travel to any of our sites from Guildford, Worthing, to Hastings.
A key part of the role involves redecorating empty homes to prepare them for new residents. This work must be completed promptly, to an agreed and consistent standard, and with clear communication to site and maintenance teams to ensure properties can be relet within void target times.
You will also carry out planned redecoration within communal areas of our accommodation, as well as offices and workspaces used by our staff and volunteers.
If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t match every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We know that skills and potential come in many forms, and your background may offer valuable transferable strengths.
Experience and Knowledge
We are looking for someone who brings:
- NVQ 2 or equivalent in painting and decorating, or equivalent work experience
- Practical experience in maintenance, cleaning, or decorating within supported housing, residential, or community‑based settings.
- A proven track record of delivering high‑quality work, with at least two years’ experience undertaking duties similar to those required in this role.
- A strong commitment to safety, quality, and resident wellbeing, ensuring all work is completed to a consistent and professional standard.
- Good knowledge of health and safety requirements relevant to painting, decorating, and maintenance work, including safe working practices and compliance procedures.
- An understanding of professional boundaries, alongside awareness of the challenges faced by vulnerable young people and how these may influence behaviour.
- A proactive and organised approach to managing workload, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
- Strong team‑working skills, with the confidence to both support and appropriately challenge colleagues where needed.
CLOSING DATE: Sunday 12 July 2026 at midnight. If we find the right candidate sooner than expected, we may close the advert early - so early applications are strongly encouraged.
Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.
An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.
Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.
YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.
Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.
Our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
37.5 hours per week / permanent / working onsite Monday – Friday 9am-5pm.
As a Painter and Decorator, you will be based in either Eastbourne or Hastings, East Sussex, and will be required to travel and work across any of our YMCA DLG sites, with demand varying throughout the year. A full UK driving licence is therefore essential, and a vehicle will be provided.
YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.
We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.
We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.
Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.
The focus in our housing services is to help develop the young people’s skills and confidence so that they can move on from supported accommodation and live independently.
Do you take pride in creating safe, welcoming homes that make a real difference in young people’s lives?
Our Maintenance team works across multiple properties to give our residents a good quality, safe home, working closely with project staff to identify repairs required, make repairs, undertake ad hoc cleaning and decoration, ensure compliance with health and safety regulations, and to make empty homes ready for re-occupation.
We have sites across East Sussex, centred around our Foyers in Eastbourne and Hastings. These services provide 24-hour supported housing for young people aged 16–25, offering low to medium levels of housing-related support. There are homes throughout East Sussex for young people we continue to support into independence via our Transitional Housing teams, these are typically larger shared houses of four to eight residents sharing some communal facilities such as bathrooms and kitchens. In total there are approximately 180 residents in East Sussex that the maintenance team oversee.
A key part of the role involves redecorating empty homes to prepare them for new residents. This work must be completed promptly, to an agreed and consistent standard, and with clear communication to site and maintenance teams to ensure properties can be relet within void target times.
You will also carry out planned redecoration within communal areas of our accommodation, as well as offices and workspaces used by our staff and volunteers.
If you’re excited about this role but your experience doesn’t match every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We know that skills and potential come in many forms, and your background may offer valuable transferable strengths.
Experience and Knowledge
We are looking for someone who brings:
- NVQ 2 or equivalent in painting and decorating, or equivalent work experience
- Practical experience in maintenance, cleaning, or decorating within supported housing, residential, or community‑based settings.
- A proven track record of delivering high‑quality work, with at least two years’ experience undertaking duties similar to those required in this role.
- A strong commitment to safety, quality, and resident wellbeing, ensuring all work is completed to a consistent and professional standard.
- Good knowledge of health and safety requirements relevant to painting, decorating, and maintenance work, including safe working practices and compliance procedures.
- An understanding of professional boundaries, alongside awareness of the challenges faced by vulnerable young people and how these may influence behaviour.
- A proactive and organised approach to managing workload, with the ability to prioritise effectively.
- Strong team‑working skills, with the confidence to both support and appropriately challenge colleagues where needed.
CLOSING DATE: Sunday 12 July 2026 at midnight. If we find the right candidate sooner than expected, we may close the advert early - so early applications are strongly encouraged.
Please note that we are unable to offer a work permit or visa sponsorship for this role; applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.
An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.
Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.
YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns.
Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.
Our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be.

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.


