Young person substance misuse practitioner jobs

Youth Impact Advert

Permanent with funding until 31st May 2029

35 hours

£29,855 per annum

Location: Plymouth

Benefits include but not limited to:

-36 days' annual leave, inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service

-Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

-We match up to 8% pension

-Free counselling service

-Opportunities to develop and widen your skills

-2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation

About us:The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need.

Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value driven team change the lives of children in this country for the better — and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.

About the role:You'll play a key part in our Plymouth Substance Misuse Service, working with individual young people who misuse substances and their families, and to act as a consultant to other professionals who may require specialist help and support.

We're looking for a skilled child-centred practitioner with the ability to ensure that all young people in contact with the service are assessed and treated for identified drugs/alcohol problems, making a real impact in the lives of children and young people.

Key skills and experience:

The required skills and competencies for this role are:

-Knowledge of substance misuse (drugs and alcohol) and awareness of national and local initiatives, including vaping, SCRA's, THC.

-Knowledge of relevant policy and government drug strategy documents

-Knowledge of the criminal justice process, specifically in relation to young people

-Knowledge of child/adolescent development and young person-centred interventions

-Knowledge of psychosocial interventions, SMART Goal planning and Risk Assessment

-Sound knowledge of change behaviour interventions as well of an oversight of addictive behaviours

-Ability to identify, screen, and assess substance misuse needs using tools like DUST

Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 6th September 2026Interviews: Dates to be confirmed

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.

AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You're welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.

Young People Support Worker

We are seeking a compassionate and proactive Young People Support Worker to help young people overcome challenges and build greater independence.

Salary: £26,436 per year
Location: Warrington
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 6 September 2026

About the role

Join Depaul UK and become part of a supportive team working to create brighter futures for young people experiencing homelessness and other challenges.

As Young People Support Worker, you will provide practical and emotional support to young people who may have experienced homelessness, poor mental health, substance misuse or the care system. You will build positive relationships, develop tailored support plans and help young people develop the confidence, resilience and skills they need to move forward.

Key responsibilities include:

· Completing risk and needs assessments and developing outcome-focused support plans

· Providing one-to-one and group support to young people

· Supporting clients to access education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities

· Working with local agencies and statutory services to provide joined-up support

· Ensuring safeguarding, health and safety and emergency procedures are followed

· Encouraging young people to participate in decisions about their support and wider activities

· Preparing accommodation for new clients and supporting them to settle in

· Working collaboratively with colleagues and volunteers

· Participating in a rota that may include unsocial hours, weekends and lone working

About you

You will have experience of working with young people or people who have experienced homelessness, along with an understanding of some of the challenges they may face.

You will also have:

· An understanding of homelessness, mental health, substance misuse or the care system

· Knowledge of risk assessments and support planning

· A clear understanding of safeguarding requirements and procedures

· Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills

· The ability to build trusting relationships while maintaining professional boundaries

· A collaborative, flexible and reflective approach

· A commitment to equality, diversity, dignity and respect

About Depaul UK

Depaul UK works to end homelessness and change the lives of people affected by it. Established in 1989, the charity provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

You will join an inclusive and supportive organisation that believes in the potential of every person, with access to excellent training, ongoing support and opportunities to develop.

Benefits include 26 days' annual leave, rising with service, pension contributions of up to 7%, an Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access, a cash health plan, family-friendly policies, retail and lifestyle discounts and death-in-service benefit.

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment. Where required for the role, an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be undertaken.

Other roles you may have experience of could include: Support Worker, Young Person's Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Youth Support Worker, Key Worker, Project Worker, Residential Support Worker or Supported Housing Worker. #INDSCP

ABOUT BRIGHTPIP

BrightPIP (Brighton Parent-Infant Psychological Therapy) is a specialist infant mental health charity supporting babies aged 0–2 and their families across Brighton & Hove and Sussex. We want every baby in our community to grow up feeling safe, healthy and loved. We provide early therapeutic intervention to strengthen relationships and prevent cycles of intergenerational trauma. We are a small, friendly and growing charity, supported by a dedicated clinical team and Trustee Board.

We have an exciting opportunity to join our team as a trainee Infant and Early Years Practitioner (IEYP), on a course run in partnership with the Anna Freud Centre and University College London (UCL). The post-holder will be training on the Children and Young People’s (CYP) Infant Mental Health (0-5) course, whilst carrying out clinical work in our service to complement their studies and use their newly developed skills.

ABOUT THE ROLE

This is a training role that is part of the NHS England (NHSE) funded CYP Psychological Trainings Therapy Programme (CYP-PT Therapy PGDip).  This intensive training post will equip practitioners with a comprehensive skillset to provide interventions to families using the latest evidence-based approaches. This will include training in Video-feedback Intervention to Promote Positive Parenting (VIPP) and supporting families where the child is experiencing regulatory difficulties.

Alongside the theoretical teaching of the training programme, the post-holder will have the opportunity to work within the BrightPIP service, providing practical interventions to families across Brighton & Hove. They will be integrated into our team of Clinical Psychologists and Psychotherapists and will take referrals as part of our service offer.

The successful post-holder will work in the BrightPIP service for 2.5 days per week and attend university for 2-3 days per week, with some study days spread throughout the year. During university holidays the trainee will continue to work with families.

FURTHER INFORMATION

This government-funded initiative promotes the growth and skill of the child mental health workforce to meet much needed demand. NHSE covers salary and training costs for a one-year full-time position, allowing services to employ trainees to support specialist pathways to bridge the gaps in CYP mental health support.

The role begins in January 2027 and the trainee will be both a fixed-term employee of BrightPIP and an enrolled student with UCL/Anna Freud. Upon completion, qualified trainees will receive a UCL Postgraduate Diploma. 

Training will be a mixture of in person, online sessions and self-study. Applicants must be willing to travel to Anna Freud in Central London (Rodney St, N1 9JH) to attend their lectures as needed. This is a unique opportunity that allows you to apply your learning week-to-week into practical clinical interventions making a direct impact on the lives of children and their families.

ABOUT YOU

We are seeking a highly motivated and enthusiastic practitioner to work and train within our service. The training post will equip the post-holder to provide interventions for children, young people and families using evidence-based intervention consistent with the course they are attending. The post holder will work with people with different cultural backgrounds and ages, using interpreters when necessary and should be committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Being part of a pioneering, highly specialist team who are passionate about our mission and supportive of each other
• Weekly 1:1 supervision and the opportunity to join our monthly group reflective supervision sessions
• After successful completion of the course the fixed term contract will end, however we will provide support and advice to help you try to secure longer term opportunities; either within our service or other local authority services
• We are open to secondment opportunities from suitably qualified applicants within the area

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants are required to make two applications for this role. The first is a job application directly to BrightPIP. The second is a course application, which is made via the UCL portal. You will only be offered a UCL training place if you are successful in securing this post and you meet the university training requirements. 

1. For your BrightPIP application, please submit:

- Your CV; and

- A cover letter addressed to Dr Laura Williams, explaining your relevant experience, key achievements, and motivation for applying.

Please ensure that your CV/ cover letter clearly evidence the academic requirements for this role as well as relevant experience (please see job description and person specification for guidance). 

2. For your UCL course application, please read the supporting document 'UCL CYP PT Therapy - Application Guidance for Candidates August 26' and follow the instructions relevant to this role. There is a link under 'where to apply' to access the UCL uni application portal. Please do take the time to review the full details in this document which includes a list of everything you need to apply for the course. 

Interviews will be held at Moulsecoomb Family Hub - date TBC.

We encourage applications from groups that are currently underrepresented in the clinical team including: applicants from Black and global majority ethnic backgrounds, male applicants, applicants identifying as LGBTQIA+.

All appointments are subject to an enhanced DBS check.

PRIVACY NOTICE

Please be aware that the information on your application form (name, contact details, qualifications and prior relevant experience) will be shared with the university Course Team as part of the recruitment process. By submitting your application to this role, you are agreeing to your details being shared with Anna Freud / UCL.  They will review your information to ensure you meet the academic requirements for the course. 

Are you passionate about helping people experiencing domestic abuse to feel safer, regain control and move forward with their lives? Join Calan DVS as an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate and make a meaningful difference to individuals and families at the point they need it most.

As part of the Dal I Godi service, you will provide specialist, trauma-informed support and advocacy to victims of domestic abuse who have been assessed as being at high risk of serious harm. Working alongside each individual from the point of crisis, you will assess risk, develop personalised safety plans and help them understand and access the options available to protect themselves and their children.

You will manage a varied caseload and work closely with partner agencies, including the police, housing providers, social services, health professionals and the criminal and civil justice systems. You will also represent and advocate for victims through processes such as MARAC, ensuring their voice, choices and safety remain central throughout.

We are looking for someone with at least two years’ experience of providing high-level domestic abuse support, strong risk assessment and crisis-management skills, and a compassionate, non-judgmental approach. You should hold a recognised IDVA qualification or be willing to work towards one. A full driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

In return, you will become part of an experienced and supportive specialist team committed to delivering high-quality services to people affected by domestic abuse across Wales.

Key details

• Salary: £25,100 per annum

• Hours: 35 hours per week

• Base: Ammanford/Powys, with travel across the region

• Contract: Fixed term until 31 March 2027

• The role includes participation in a planned duty rota covering some weekday evenings and weekends

If you share our commitment to improving safety, amplifying victims’ voices and supporting lasting change, we would love to hear from you.