Back to search

Young Persons Substance Misuse - Health & Wellbeing Practitioner

  • NHS
  • Full Time
  • London
  • 29545.00 - 34683.00 a year
NHS

Job Description

Job summary

Join our passionate team and help children, young people and families improve their health, wellbeing and life opportunities.

As a Young Persons Substance Misuse - Health & Wellbeing Practitioner within Compass Safe East , you will provide support to children , young people and families across Tower Hamlets . The service offers advice , guidance and interventions on a wide range of health and wellbeing topics , including emotional wellbeing , healthy lifestyles , relationships , school challenges , substance misuse and access to specialist support .

Using a person centred and trauma informed approach , you will undertake assessments , develop support plans and deliver one to one and group interventions . Working across schools , community settings and partner organisations, you will help young people build resilience , improve wellbeing and access the support they need to thrive .

You will play an important role in delivering prevention and early intervention work while collaborating with families and professionals to achieve positive outcomes.

Main duties of the job

We are looking for someone who has:

  • Experience working with children and young people.
  • Experience supporting young people with emotional wellbeing , health , substance misuse or related needs.
  • Knowledge of safeguarding , risk assessment and child development .
  • Experience working collaboratively with families, professionals and partner agencies .
  • Excellent communication , engagement and relationship building skills.
  • The ability to manage a varied caseload and maintain accurate records .
  • A flexible , compassionate and solution focused approach .

A qualification in youth work , social work , psychology , counselling , mental health , substance misuse , or a related field is essential .

Experience delivering health promotion, prevention or early intervention programmes would be helpful but is not essential.

If you are committed to helping children and young people overcome challenges, improve their wellbeing and reach their full potential, we encourage you to apply.

About us

Compass is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults. Established for over 30 years, Compass is a national charity which works in communities across the UK providing services spanning substance misuse treatment and rehabilitation, early interventions for vulnerable young people, school-aged health programmes and associated prevention as well as treatment and health promotion initiatives.

All Compass posts are subject to appropriate level DBS checks.

We positively encourage applications from all members of the community, regardless of gender, race, faith, disability, age, or sexual orientation, and encourage applications from people who have experiences in life which enrich skills and empathy. This is part of our commitment to equality and developing a truly inclusive and representative workforce.

We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments individuals may require in the recruitment process, on commencement, or once in post.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits including:

  • 27 days holiday + bank holidays, rising to 32 days over time (pro rata)
  • Life assurance at 2 x basic salary
  • Competitive contributory pension scheme
  • 24/7 Employee Assistance Programme and OH service
  • Enhanced sick pay
  • Excellent learning & development opportunities and career progression
  • Annual salary review

Help us to make a positive change to the lives of children and young people!

Closing Date: 25.06.2026 #LI-BE1 #CompServ

Job responsibilities

Join our passionate team and help children, young people and families improve their health, wellbeing and life opportunities.

As a Young Persons Substance Misuse - Health & Wellbeing Practitioner within Compass Safe East , you will provide support to children , young people and families across Tower Hamlets . The service offers advice , guidance and interventions on a wide range of health and wellbeing topics , including emotional wellbeing , healthy lifestyles , relationships , school challenges , substance misuse and access to specialist support .

Using a person centred and trauma informed approach , you will undertake assessments , develop support plans and deliver one to one and group interventions . Working across schools , community settings and partner organisations, you will help young people build resilience , improve wellbeing and access the support they need to thrive .

You will play an important role in delivering prevention and early intervention work while collaborating with families and professionals to achieve positive outcomes.

Person Specification

Qualifications

Essential

  • Relevant qualification in substance misuse/youth work/counselling psychology/mental health,such as a Diploma in Youth Work, Social work, Psychology or accredited Counselling or equivalent NVQ Level 3 in Children, Young People or families, social care or mental health.

Experience

Essential

  • Experience of working with children and young people.
  • Experience of supporting children and young people presenting with substance misuse related needs.
  • Experience of working with children and young people presenting with risk taking behaviours and associated vulnerabilities.
  • Experience of working with children and young people experiencing mental health, emotional health and wellbeing difficulties.
  • Experience of applying safeguarding guidance and legislation in practice.
  • Experience of working within confidentiality, consent and information sharing frameworks.
  • Experience of working in partnership with other agencies to support positive outcomes for children and young people.

Additional Criteria

Essential

  • Knowledge of safeguarding children and adults guidance and legislation.
  • Knowledge of child and adolescent development.
  • Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion guidance and legislation.
  • Knowledge of confidentiality, consent and mental capacity principles.
  • Knowledge of risk taking behaviours and their impact on children and young people.
  • ...

Good luck with your application