Harm Reduction Outreach Worker

Harm Reduction Outreach Worker - County Durham

Location: Bishop Auckland base with outreach across the county

Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm (with one 30-minute early finish each week). You will also work one Saturday morning approximately every 12 weeks

Contract: ​Permanent

Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240 per annum

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. 

About the role

We're looking for a proactive and passionate Harm Reduction Outreach Worker to join our County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS). This is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference by reducing drug-related harm and improving health outcomes for individuals and communities across County Durham.

As an integral member of our Harm Reduction team, you'll deliver evidence-based interventions that help keep people safe, improve access to treatment and support recovery. Working across a variety of community settings, you'll build strong relationships with partner agencies and promote harm reduction initiatives including Needle Syringe Programmes (NSP), Naloxone provision, Blood Borne Virus (BBV) testing and Hepatitis C awareness and treatment.

This is a varied outreach role where no two days are the same. You'll have the autonomy to plan your own workload while working closely with colleagues across the wider service to ensure people receive the support they need, when they need it.

About the service

County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS) provides specialist support to people affected by drug and alcohol use across County Durham. Our dedicated multidisciplinary team delivers a range of interventions designed to reduce harm, improve wellbeing and support lasting recovery.

The Harm Reduction team plays a vital role within the service, working with individuals, communities and partner organisations to increase awareness, improve access to life-saving interventions and embed harm reduction into wider health and social care provision.

About you

You'll be passionate about supporting people to improve their health and wellbeing and thrive in a role where you can build relationships and make a visible difference within local communities.

You'll bring experience of working within substance misuse services or a related field, alongside an understanding of safeguarding, harm reduction principles and evidence-based interventions. You'll be confident working independently in community settings while also being an effective team player.

You'll also have:

• An NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or be willing to work towards this.
• Experience delivering interventions on a one-to-one and group basis.
• Knowledge of safeguarding, hidden harm and best practice frameworks.
• Strong communication and organisational skills with the ability to manage your own workload.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle, as this is an outreach role covering locations across County Durham.

In return, you'll join a supportive team where you'll have opportunities to develop your skills, contribute to innovative harm reduction initiatives and play an important part in helping people live healthier, safer lives.

To view the full job description and person specification, CLICK HERE.

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:

2026-08-11