Young person substance misuse practitioner jobs
Overview
Are you ready to lead with purpose and make a real impact in young people’s lives?
At Change Grow Live, we believe in being open, compassionate, and bold — and we’re looking for a dynamic Team Leader to bring those values to life in our Children & Families Team. The post holder will be responsible for the operational management of the services ‘Hidden Harm’ team who support children and young people affected by parental substance misuse.
You’ll be at the heart of shaping a responsive, innovative service across Hertfordshire, empowering young people and their families to overcome challenges and thrive. This is your chance to lead a passionate team, drive service excellence, and help build brighter futures.
We are looking for a confident leader with experience in children’s services or substance misuse apply now and help us shape a future where every young person feels supported, safe, and heard.
Where: Hertfordshire
When: We're looking for the right person to join our team on a fixed term contract until the end of March 2027
Hours: 22.5 per week
Salary: £35,220.59 - £37,184.91 + Outer Fringe allowance £694.25 (Pro-Rata)
*Please note: Full-time hours at Change Grow Live are 37.5 hours per week. For part-time roles, the salary and payments will be pro rata based on contracted hours.
Responsibilities
About the role:
- Under the supervision of CGL’s Cluster Manager, you will lead the delivery of services that empower Children, Young People, and their Families to overcome issues around substance misuse.
- The post holder will provide line management to practitioners within the service and will be responsible for the operational management and strategic development of the service.
- They will always maintain high professional standards and ensure a Young Person focused approach in all aspects of delivery with the aim of reducing harm and promoting resilience.
- They will lead by example in creating a professional and young persons focused team culture focused on excellent service delivery.
- The post holder will ensure a positive learning environment where integrity and professionalism are paramount, whilst empowering staff to ensure all attempts at positive outcomes are achieved for those using the service.
- You will support the Cluster Manager in the continual development and improvement of service delivery.
- You will develop and maintain excellent working relationships with partners both internally within the service and externally within a wider partnership.
- The Post Holder must have a valid UK Driving License and access to a car in order to work flexibly at various operational sites as required.
About you:
- Experience of working with children and young people experiencing difficulties around Substance misuse.
- Knowledge of the issues facing children, young people and their families affected by substance misuse.
- Excellent knowledge of drugs and alcohol and their effects.
- Line management experience including the delivery of reflective practice.
- The ability to lead, empower and motivate a team.
- Excellent knowledge of safeguarding policies and practices relating to children and young people and experience of embedding these operationally.
- The ability to foster new partnerships and to maintain positive relationships with partner agencies.
- Knowledge of a range of psychosocial and evidence-based interventions around substance misuse.
- Knowledge and understanding around the ‘Hidden Harm’ agenda.
- Knowledge and experience of community-based support/outreach practices.
- Ability to ensure all record keeping, outcome monitoring and data collection is maintained effectively.
- Communicate confidently and effectively, verbally and in writing.
- Respond flexibly to the demands of the post.
- The ability to keep calm under pressure.
- Show commitment to facilitating positive outcomes for young people and their families.
What we will give to you:
- 25 days holiday (+ bank holidays) rising by 1 day for each years’ service “Capped at 30 days”
- Paid ‘Wellness’ hour each week along with a ‘Wellness’ hub and Employee Assist Programme
- Contributory pension scheme
- A great selection of benefits incl. discounts for shopping, cinema, holidays, etc.
- A friendly and supportive team
- Training, career development & progression opportunities
- Refer a friend scheme.
Please ensure that when completing your application form and supporting statement, you reflect on the details outlined in the job description. This will help us understand how your skills and experiences align with the requirements of the role.
Direct applications only — we will not be engaging agencies for this vacancy.
Please note: This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK at the time of application. For applicants with time-limited visas, unfortunately, we are unable to support new visa applications or extensions.
We reserve the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high number of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Salary Range (pro rata if part time)
CGL points 31 to 33 (£35,220.59 - £37,184.90)
ILW / OLW /Fringe
Outer Fringe (£694.25)
Closing Date
28/10/2025
This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an enhanced level.
Our mission is to help people change the direction of their lives, grow as individuals, and live life to its full potential.
Trainee Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Practitioner (CWP).
Full Time (35 hours),
One year fixed term (January 2026 - January 2027),
£24-25K per annum
CYP-PT (formerly CYP-IAPT)
The Children and Young People's Psychological Training programmes (CYP-PT) (formerly CYP-IAPT) is a service transformation programme delivered by NHS England that aims to improve existing children and young people's mental health Services (CYP-PTs) working in the community.
As part of this initiative, Centre 33 is looking to recruit trainee ‘Children and Young People’s Wellbeing Practitioners’ (CWPs) to join our existing team based within the ‘Someone to Talk to’ service.
As a trainee CWP you will deliver brief, evidence-based, goal focused interventions to support young people aged 13-25 experiencing mild to moderate mental health difficulties. You will provide some ‘Guided Self-Help’ interventions to support parents of younger children aged 5 -12 who experience anxiety and behavioural difficulties. You will deliver support in a variety of ways including 121 and group work, workshops and webinars, dependent on service needs. Our blended offer at Centre 33 means you will be expected to work face to face and remotely via telephone and Zoom depending on individual client needs.
You will study part-time for the ‘Child and Young Persons Psychological Wellbeing Practice: Post Graduate Diploma’ through University College London and the Anna Freud Centre for Children and Families. Your remaining hours will be spent working within our busy service, applying and developing the skills and knowledge you acquire in training to our client base.
You will be based across the South of Cambridgeshire (Ely/Cambridge) and will be required to travel efficiently to locations across this region to meet role requirements. You will also be required to regularly travel efficiently to London for the purposes of course requirements, 50% of the weekly travel costs from home to University of College London to attend the Children’s Wellbeing Practitioner Course in line with our expenses policy.
**You will have a minimum of a second-class Bachelor’s degree from a UK University (or equivalent) in a relevant subject (e.g. Psychology) and evidenced experience of working with young people. You are required to meet necessary criteria for both Centre 33 AND for UCL and we advise that you apply to both establishments simultaneously. Details can be found here Child and Young Persons Psychological Wellbeing Practice PG Dip | Prospective Students Graduate - UCL – University College London **
Please contact our recruitment team for a detailed job description and application pack.
Closing date: 20th October 2025
The vacancy may close sooner than the listed closing date if a sufficient number of applications are received.
Our Vision is for a future where all young people are listened to, respected and supported





Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
About Our Work
Support Through Sport CIO, based in Nottingham, delivers sport-based intervention, mentoring, and youth work programmes to thousands of disadvantaged young people, empowering them to develop pro-social behaviours and providing a lasting positive impact within underserved communities.
The organisation works to a Theory of Change which ultimately provides at-risk young people with protective factors, diverting them away from negative influences such as youth offending, ASB, violence, gang culture and knife crime. Through an innovative, youth-led approach, Support Through Sport harnesses the power of sport to empower disadvantaged youth and create safer communities, where young people can thrive.
We’re passionate about implementing real change within disadvantaged and underserved communities, providing young people with support, guidance and opportunities which enable every young person to achieve their full potential.
Role Overview
Support Through Sport CIO is seeking a highly motivated and organised individual to deliver our innovative School and Community Navigator programme throughout Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The Senior School and Community Navigator will lead a team of three Navigators across four schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The role combines direct support to children and young people aged 10–17 with leadership and coordination responsibilities, ensuring delivery is of the highest standard and in line with Support Through Sport policies and project specifications.
Working closely with schools, families, and local agencies, the Senior Navigator will provide supervision and guidance to staff, build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships, and ensure effective safeguarding, monitoring, and reporting systems are in place. You will work with young people aged 10–17 in community settings, building trust-based relationships and providing early intervention to reduce risk factors linked to crime, violence, and exploitation.
The role combines youth work, mentoring, and community engagement, supporting young people to tackle challenges such as disengagement in education, substance use, poverty, discrimination, and school exclusion. You will act as an advocate for young people, bridging gaps with the wider community while promoting respect, empowerment, and positive life choices whilst working utilising a child-centred and collaborative approach.
At Support Through Sport, we use a range of creative approaches, including sport as a diversionary tool, to build brighter futures and create safer communities. Flexibility is essential, as sessions may take place during evenings and weekends, in addition to typical school hours. You will be required to work within the complex support system which often surround young people at-risk, to ensure a multi-agency approach to achieving the best possible outcomes for children and young people.
You will be supported to meet a benchmark of training and standards, including:
Basic Training
Health & Safety
Neurodiversity
EDI & Cultural Competence
Effective Communication
Resilience in Youth Work
Level 3 LA Safeguarding
GDPR & Data Protection
First Aid at Work
Enhanced DBS
Full Induction
Enhanced Training
Contextual Safeguarding
Operational Skills
Domestic Violence and Sexual Abuse
Health and Wellbeing
Key Information
Position: Senior Targeted Practitioner - School & Community Navigators
Reporting To: East Midlands Regional Manager
Hours: 37.5 hrs per week
Contract: Full Time, 6 month probationary period
Salary: £28,000 - £29,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience
Location: Nottingham & Nottinghamshire (Nottingham Office)
Transport: Car driver essential
Essential attributes include:
Experience working with children and young people (10–17 years) in school and community settings
Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection, with experience responding to and escalating concerns
Proven experience supervising or leading staff or volunteers in a youth work, education, or community setting
Ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with schools, families and stakeholders
Strong knowledge of violence affecting young people, exploitation, and early intervention approaches
Experience of multi-agency working and attending safeguarding and strategy meetings
Ability to use case management systems and produce accurate reports and data
Excellent organisational, communication, and interpersonal skills
Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in practice and leadership
Flexible working hours including evenings and school holidays
Full UK driving licence and ability to travel across Nottinghamshire
Desirable Attributes Include:
Qualification in youth work, education, or a related field (JNC strongly desired)
Experience of staff training, coaching, or professional development
Knowledge of local referral pathways and support services across Nottinghamshire
Experience working within schools or multi-school programmes
Training in conflict resolution, mental health first aid, or trauma-informed practice
Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team
Self-motivated with a positive attitude
Passionate about making a difference in the community
Strong youth engagement and relationship-building skills
Confident in delivering a range of sports and physical activities
Roles and Responsibilities
- Provide leadership, supervision, and day-to-day support to a team of School and Community Navigators, ensuring high-quality delivery across all schools and community settings.
- Support the training, professional development, and reflective practice of staff, encouraging continuous learning and consistency of approach.
- Deliver services to the highest standards, in line with specifications, funder requirements, and Support Through Sport policies and values.
- Lead delivery across four schools and identified community hubs, building and maintaining strong working relationships with senior leaders, pastoral staff, SEND teams, and wider support services.
- Develop and sustain effective multi-agency partnerships with schools, statutory services, and community organisations to ensure joined-up provision and pathways of support.
- Attend and contribute to regular meetings with schools, community stakeholders, and safeguarding partners, representing Support Through Sport professionally.
- Liaise with relevant agencies and take appropriate, timely action to safeguard children and young people, ensuring safeguarding remains at the heart of all practice.
- Ensure staff follow safeguarding policies and procedures, providing oversight, guidance, and follow-up where required, and escalating concerns appropriately.
- Support risk assessments, contextual safeguarding discussions, and contribute to case management at multi-agency meetings.
- Oversee the planning, coordination, and delivery of mentoring and outreach support within both school and community settings, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to local needs.
- Monitor and record outcomes effectively using Upshot, case notes, and assessments to evidence impact and progression.
- Provide accurate data, case studies, and impact reporting for funders, stakeholders, and internal learning, contributing to continuous improvement.
- Deliver targeted 1:1 mentoring, small group sessions, and outreach with children and young people, supporting engagement, wellbeing, and positive life choices.
- Encourage participation in education, training, and community opportunities, advocating for pathways into positive progression.
- Act as an advocate for young people, ensuring their voices influence programme design and delivery, and that they feel heard, valued, and respected.
- Champion equality, diversity, and inclusion within delivery, ensuring support is tailored to meet the individual needs of all young people.
Benefits Include:
- Working alongside a very passionate team
- Enhanced DBS check provided
- Further development opportunities
- Sense of satisfaction
- Ongoing personal support
- Great team incentives
- Positive working environment
- Career Progression opportunities
- Competitive salary plus expenses
- No micro-management
- Training and CPD offers
Note
Please note that in order to apply for this role all candidates must hold the right to work in the UK, undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide 2 professional references. If these are not completed in a timely manner, your application maybe disqualified.
We look forward to receiving your application and hearing about how you can support us to build brighter futures for young people in Nottinghamshire!
Support Through Sport is a registered charity which supports disadvantaged young people aged 8-18, through the power of sport and youth work combined.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Kineara has a new vacancy for an experienced Housing Support Worker to join our small and dedicated team in this new project supporting recent granted refugees to find accommodation.
About the project
Set up by Southwark Council, the Homes for Ukraine project supports families and individuals from Ukraine who have been granted visas to live and work in the UK. After an initial period living with host families or in temporary accommodation, the project helps households take the next step towards independence by supporting them to move into private rented accommodation, assisting them in finding employment, and linking them with wider community support networks, while working holistically to ensure their individual needs are met. This approach aims to help Ukrainian households settle and thrive in the UK.
This project will be delivered alongside our Refugee PRS Renters Support Programme in Southwark. We will provide crucial crisis support to vulnerable renters and are looking for a passionate housing support worker to be part of the next phase of the project. You can find out more about the work here.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced, enthusiastic, and energetic support worker to take up a full-time role within our organisation as a Housing Support Practitioner in our small and dedicated team. The role will be based mostly in Southwark, and you will be working in partnership with the Council’s housing officers and resettlement workers, refugee support organisations, community services.
The role involves:
- Coordinate tailored support for each client to find and sustain tenancies and mediating with landlords where necessary.
- Providing housing advice and help find employment.
- Support access to PRS properties.
- Provide information about housing market and polices.
- Help set up sustainable tenancies.
- Support to increase employment and training opportunities.
About you
- You will have experience of working with individuals with complex needs and comple needs assessments.
- You will be an enthusiastic person who is self-motivated, confident and thrives when working independently with a passion to support change.
- You will have excellent interpersonal skills, experience delivering holistic support, be a solution-minded thinker, have a good understanding of strength-based approaches and be able work sensitively and empathetically with people in vulnerable circumstances.
- You have good knowledge of housing and homelessness policies in England.
- You will also have experience working in a systemic and therapeutic way and ideally have trauma informed training or experience.
- You have experience with keeping records and contributing data for reports and monitoring purposes.
- It is also important to us that you have the competency to work with people from a variety of cultural backgrounds.
- Be able to work as part of a team and independently, the roles require you to think creatively and use the resources around you effectively.
About Kineara
Kineara is a unique community interest company that supports people in poverty across London who facing barriers to housing, employment and education. We identify and address barriers by providing holistic support for families, vulnerable adults, and school pupils, and deliver intensive one-to-one interventions to those in need of extra help through challenging times. We use holistic, trauma-informed methods, partnership working and a flexible, non-judgemental approach that puts the needs of those we work with first.
HOW TO APPLY: Please send a CV and a cover letter explaining how you meet the criteria for the role. Please also include:
Why you wish to apply for this role
What you would like to gain from this role
Your relevant experience, knowledge and skills, based on the person specification above.
Breaking barriers to secure housing, education and employment

Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as applications come in. They're ready to hire as soon as they find the right person. Don't miss your opportunity, apply now!
Kineara has a new vacancy for an experienced Housing support worker to join our small and dedicated team for our new School Housing Advice project.
About the project
The School Housing Advice Support Project builds on the success of a pilot program and aims to provide tailored housing advice and support to families, particularly those living in temporary accommodation (TA). The project started in January 2025 and is currently being delivered at three primary schools in the borough of Southwark.
The initiative offers practical housing advice, casework, workshops, and legal support through a collaborative partnership between Kineara and Southwark Law Centre. It also addresses challenges such as poor housing conditions, legal proceedings, and impacts on families' health and wellbeing.
About the role
We are looking for an experienced, motivated and compassionate support worker to deliver housing advice and practical support to parents from four Primary Schools in Southwark. This role involves conducting housing surgeries, providing follow-up casework, and running workshops to empower clients with the knowledge and skills to address their housing-related issues. The successful candidate will work closely with clients to identify their needs and offer tailored solutions to help them achieve sustainable housing outcomes. The role will be based mostly in Southwark, and you will be working in partnership with schools, community organisations and the council to coordinate tailored support for each client to avoid eviction and sustain tenancies, address suitability of the property, mediating with landlords where necessary and providing advice for onward housing when needed. The objectives of these programmes are to avoid evictions, sustain tenancies or move to a better suited property, improve wellbeing and awareness of tenancy rights and housing polices.
About you
- You will have experience of working with families and individuals with complex needs, as well as some experience of providing housing support.
- You will be an enthusiastic person who has empathy, patience, and a non-judgmental approach to working with clients and who thrives when working independently with a passion to support change.
- You will have excellent interpersonal skills.
- Have good knowledge of housing policies and tenants' rights, experience of delivering holistic support.
- You will be a solution-minded thinker, have a good understanding of strength-based approaches and be able work committing to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of work.
- Be able to work as part of a team and independently, the roles require you to think creatively and use the resources around you effectively.
About Kineara
Kineara is a unique community interest company and Charity that supports people in poverty across London who facing barriers to housing, employment and education. We break down barriers, provide holistic support for families, vulnerable adults, and school pupils, and deliver intensive one-to-one interventions to those in need of extra help through challenging times. We use holistic, trauma-informed methods, partnership working and a flexible, non-judgemental approach that puts the needs of those we work with first.
Breaking barriers to secure housing, education and employment

The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.