Criminal Justice Engagement Worker

Criminal Justice Engagement Coordinator - Newcastle Treatment & Recovery

Location: Plummer Court, Carliol Place, Newcastle, NE1 6UR

Working Hours: 37 hours per week

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240

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. 

Are you looking for a fulfilling role where you can make a real difference to people's lives? If so, we have an exciting opportunity to join our well established, friendly Criminal Justice Team.

Newcastle Treatment & Recovery (NTaR) is multi agency team delivering drug and alcohol treatment for the residents of Newcastle. We pride ourselves on being safe, inventive, creative and have the needs of the community and service users at the heart of what we do. The successful post holder will match our ambition and commitment to provide the highest standards of service quality and performance within this partnership.

About the role

We are recruiting a Criminal Justice Engagement Worker to join our team at Newcastle Treatment & Recovery. We support individuals experiencing problematic substance use and aim to strengthen Criminal Justice pathways into treatment for those affected by opiate, non-opiate and alcohol use.

In this role, you will act as a Single Point of Contact (SPOC) for a caseload involved in the Criminal Justice System, providing specialist, tailored support to help individuals make positive changes to their lives. You will work closely with external partners including Probation, Prisons and Courts. You will:

• Act as a key point of contact for Continuity of Care, using strong administrative skills to process referrals and complete associated documentation. Maintain and update the prison tracker daily to monitor releases, liaising with prisons, and developing strong working relationships to ensure effective Continuity of Care pathways and appropriate support on release.

• Assertively support service users into treatment following release from prison, completing comprehensive assessments at Plummer Court or other locations, including outreach to satellite offices where required.

• Complete weekly suitability assessments for Alcohol Treatment Requirements (ATR) and Drug Rehabilitation Requirements (DRR), preparing court reports and liaising with Prison and Court staff as needed.

• Provide tailored guidance to reduce harmful behaviours and support continued engagement with the service, offering personalised initiatives to encourage treatment uptake and contribute to the prevention and reduction of offending.

• Support key service functions by participating in drug screening, duty work, BBV testing and immunisation, prescription management, community needle exchange services, and the delivery of appropriate alcohol and drug harm reduction interventions.

Essential criteria

• Hold an NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or above, or equivalent), or be willing to work towards this qualification in post.

• Be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office programmes.

• Demonstrate an understanding of, and ability to deliver, evidence-based interventions including brief interventions, Motivational Interviewing (MI), Psychosocial Interventions (PSIs), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and ITEP.

• Have experience of working with carers and families.

Full job description and person specification available upon request from the recruitment team.

For an informal discussion regarding this role, please contact Rachael Bolton at rachael.bolton@cntw.nhs.uk

Please feel free to take some time to watch over this video which gives a great insight into our team here at Newcastle Treatment & Recovery: https://youtu.be/Ndb6JzU1vTQ?si=Vklo8Q-906rpIimD

Please note that here at Newcastle, we have parking permits available on a rota basis for all staff members.

We are aware of the ongoing works on the Tyne Bridge and we are happy to say that we are flexible with working hours due to this, as we understand it may possibly make commuting difficult at times.

Please be aware that due to the nature of the service, this role requires on site working only.

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: