Young person substance misuse practitioner jobs

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Substance Misuse Practitioner MATERNITY COVER x2 (West and North Essex Areas)

Fixed Term contract from 1st March 2026 to 31st January 2027

35 hours per week 

£29,855 per annum 

Essex - You would be based in either Harlow or Colchester and expected to travel within that quadrant.

The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We run local services that support young people when they are at their most vulnerable and in desperate need of help. We're there for young people, every step of the way. 

This role sits within our children and families directorate, which works to provide immediate one-to-one and group support for young people who urgently need support. Your role will be to help us maintain and develop innovative practice to support our work in our services within the Essex area. 

We wish to recruit 2 Substance Misuse Practitioners to join the established All Age Recovery Co-ordination Service (AARCS), which we deliver in partnership with Open Road, supporting young people, adults and families affected by substance misuse.

You will undertake individual assessments and risk assessment with young people up to the age of 25, developing a person-centred care plan specific to that young person and their needs and supporting them through their recovery journey with the service. This will be delivered through a range of tailored interventions, in both a one to one and/or targeted group work capacity.

-You will have substantial experience in working with vulnerable young people either in a paid or unpaid capacity.

-You will have experience of carrying out individual and group work interventions with young people & adults.

-You will have experience in using Microsoft Office Applications and other relevant data systems.

-You can demonstrate the ability to work on your own initiative as well as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

As well as a strong commitment to your development, we offer a generous holiday entitlement, a contributory stakeholder pension, childcare vouchers and flexible working.

The Children's Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make young people's lives happier and safer. 

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with.  As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks.  We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.

Candidates applying for work in our Children and Young People Directorate will be required to complete an “Employment history" form, which will be emailed to shortlisted candidates prior to interview. 

The closing date for applications is Friday 20th March 2026.

Interviews will be face to face and held on Monday 30th March in our Chelmsford Office at 114 Springfield Road, Chelmsford, Essex, CM2 6LF.

IN1

Deputy Supported Lodgings Manager (11 months maternity cover)

We’re looking for an inspiring leader with experience supporting vulnerable young people, managing teams, and navigating housing, safeguarding and multi‑agency work.

Location: Regional Office - North West

Salary: £33,906 Per annum

Closing Date: 15 March, 2026

Employment Type: Temporary, 11 month maternity cover

Hours per week: Full time, 37.5 hours

About the Role

We are recruiting to fill the Deputy Supported Lodgings Manager role at our Regional Office in Manchester – 11 months Maternity Cover. In this role, you’ll lead a small, committed team to deliver safe, high‑quality accommodation and support, overseeing assessments, placements and risk plans to ensure every young person is welcomed, protected and set up for long‑term stability. You’ll strengthen relationships with providers and partners, uphold OFSTED and safeguarding standards, and help shape services rooted in strengths‑based, psychologically informed practice. 

We’re looking for an energetic, inclusive leader with experience supporting vulnerable young people, managing teams and navigating housing management, safeguarding and multi‑agency partnerships. If you thrive in fast‑paced environments, excel at motivating others and believe in empowering young people to realise their potential, we’d love to hear from you.

In this role, you will:

• Lead a small team delivering high‑quality Supported Lodgings services for young people at risk of homelessness.

• Oversee assessments, risk management and safe placements with approved providers.

• Maintain strong safeguarding, OFSTED compliance and health & safety standards.

• Recruit, train and support Supported Lodgings Providers and service staff.

• Build effective partnerships with referral agencies, commissioners and community organisations.

• Monitor service performance, targets and budgets to ensure high‑impact delivery.

• Champion psychologically‑informed, strengths‑based practice across the service.

• Participate in the out‑of‑hours rota to support providers and clients when needed.

 About You

You believe in people — their strengths, their rights and their potential. You bring empathy, energy and a solution‑focused mindset to your work. You communicate clearly, stay organised and adapt well in a fast‑moving environment. You’re committed to inclusion, fairness and continuous learning, and you turn values into meaningful action, whatever your role.

What You’ll Receive

• Tailored training and development

• Flexible working options where suitable

• 26 days annual leave, rising with service

• Family‑friendly leave policies

• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more

• Cash health plan for you and your family

• Death‑in‑service benefit

• Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation.

Floating Support Worker

This is an opportunity for someone compassionate and driven to make a real impact, supported by training and reflective practice.

Location: West London Floating

Salary: £27,636 per annum

Closing Date: 16 March, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

This role focuses on helping adults with recent history of rough sleeping, covering 7 West London Boroughs”. You’ll form strong, trusting relationships; provide practical guidance around housing, benefits, health and meaningful activities; and work flexibly with other agencies to keep people engaged and moving forward. Using a strengths‑based approach and the principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, you’ll help clients increase confidence, resilience and independence while ensuring support is personalised and accessible. 

As Floating Support Worker at our service in West London, you’ll collaborate closely with housing, health, substance‑use and community partners to deliver coordinated, high‑quality support, advocating for clients and challenging barriers when needed. Accuracy in record‑keeping, safeguarding awareness, and the ability to problem‑solve in fast‑paced community settings are essential. This role suits someone solutions‑driven, compassionate and confident working independently—including occasionally during unsocial hours—while staying grounded in dignity, inclusion and client‑led practice. 

 In this role, you will:

• Provide trauma‑informed, person‑centred support to adults with complex needs in supported accommodation.

• Build trust and engage flexibly to help clients sustain tenancies and prevent repeat homelessness.

• Support clients with housing, health, finances, benefits and meaningful activities.

• Use ACT‑based approaches to build resilience, confidence and psychological flexibility.

• Work closely with multi‑agency partners for coordinated support.

• Advocate for clients and challenge barriers within local services and systems.

• Accompany clients to appointments and maintain accurate, timely records on In‑Form.

• Uphold safeguarding, professional boundaries and safe lone‑working practices.

About You

You’ll bring the ability to engage quickly with adults facing homelessness, mental ill health or substance use, using clear communication, focused support planning, strong risk‑assessment skills and accurate digital record‑keeping to help people sustain tenancies and access the services they need. Working confidently with accommodation providers and multi‑agency partners, you’ll adapt your approach to each person, applying trauma‑informed, strengths‑based practice with resilience, professionalism and strong safeguarding awareness. We’re looking for evidence of supporting people with complex needs (including lived experience), understanding tenancy risk, practising safe lone‑working and demonstrating inclusive, solutions‑focused behaviour in community‑based settings.

What You’ll Receive

• Tailored training and development
• Flexible working options where suitable
• 26 days annual leave, rising with service
• Family‑friendly leave policies
• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more
• Cash health plan for you and your family
• Death‑in‑service benefit
• Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.