About this role
Job summary
Join our passionate team and help children, young people and young adults build healthier, safer futures.
As a Young Persons Substance Misuse - Health & Wellbeing Practitioner within Compass Elevation, you will support young people aged 5 to 24 who are affected by their own, or a loved one's, drug or alcohol use. Working in a person centred and trauma informed way, you will provide assessments, care planning, one to one and group interventions, helping young people reduce harm, improve wellbeing and make positive choices.
You will work across community, education and partner settings, delivering prevention, early intervention and specialist support. The role involves building trusted relationships with young people and families, raising awareness through education and health promotion activities, and working closely with partner agencies to ensure children and young people receive the right support at the right time.
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference while being part of a supportive and values driven organisation committed to improving outcomes for young people.
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 passionate about empowering young people to make positive changes and achieve their potential, we would be delighted to receive your application.
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 #CompEle
Job description Job responsibilities
Join our passionate team and help children, young people and young adults build healthier, safer futures.
As a Young Persons Substance Misuse - Health & Wellbeing Practitioner within Compass Elevation, you will support young people aged 5 to 24 who are affected by their own, or a loved one's, drug or alcohol use. Working in a person centred and trauma informed way, you will provide assessments, care planning, one to one and group interventions, helping young people reduce harm, improve wellbeing and make positive choices.
You will work across community, education and partner settings, delivering prevention, early intervention and specialist support. The role involves building trusted relationships with young people and families, raising awareness through education and health promotion activities, and working closely with partner agencies to ensure children and young people receive the right support at the right time.
This is a rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference while being part of a supportive and values driven organisation committed to improving outcomes for young people.
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. Knowledge of mental health, emotional health and emotional wellbeing. Knowledge of Data Protection guidance and legislation. Knowledge of substance misuse guidelines and quality standards. Knowledge of contraception and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Ability and willingness to adopt a flexible approach to working outside normal office hours and at different locations where required. Ability to undertake the duties of the post with reasonable adjustments where required. Ability to encourage children and young people to express their views, feelings and wishes and ensure these are reflected in support planning. Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion and professionalism.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Employer details Employer name Compass
Address 21 Building
21 Pinner Road
Harrow
London
HA1 4ES
United Kingdom
Employer's website https://www.compass-uk.org/ (Opens in a new tab)