Specialist Engagement Worker
Location: Exeter
Working Hours: 37 hours
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,877 - £30,868
The System Treatment and Recovery (STaR) project, funded by the national Rough Sleeper Drug & Alcohol Treatment Grant, aims to improve health, housing, and recovery outcomes for people experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping.
Using a One Team approach, we provide joined-up, wraparound support through a partnership spanning substance misuse, physical health, housing, psychiatry, and social inclusion. Our multi-skilled team includes a project co-ordinator, team leader, specialist enablement workers, psychologists, GP, nurses, and administrators.
About the Role
STaR is designed to reach those who find traditional treatment hard to engage with, testing new ways to support meaningful recovery. Staff hold small caseloads, allowing time to tailor interventions and build trust with clients often seen as “too complex” for mainstream services.
We’re looking for someone passionate about recovery. Someone who understands that lasting change comes from empowering people across all areas of their lives.
What You’ll Do
1. Work as part of the System Treatment and Recovery (STaR) team to support people experiencing or at risk of rough sleeping.
2. Provide wraparound, person-centred support addressing health, housing, and recovery needs.
3. Hold a small caseload, allowing time to build trust and deliver meaningful, tailored interventions.
4. Engage individuals who have found it difficult to access or remain in traditional treatment services.
5. Collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team including psychologists, GPs, nurses, housing and social inclusion specialists.
6. Contribute to innovative ways of working to improve engagement and recovery outcomes.
7. Work collaboratively with partners to reduce barriers to treatment and promote holistic recovery.
8. Support clients to build stability, confidence, and independence in all areas of their lives.
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:
9. Passionate about recovery and empowerment for people experiencing homelessness or complex needs.
10. Understanding that true recovery involves support across health, housing, and social wellbeing.
11. Experience of working with individuals affected by substance misuse, mental health, or homelessness (desirable).
12. Skilled at building trusting, respectful relationships with people who may be wary of services.
13. Able to work collaboratively as part of a multi-agency team.
14. Flexible, compassionate, and resilient when working with people facing multiple challenges.
15. Committed to inclusive, non-judgmental, person-led practice.
16. Strong communication and organisational skills.
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.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
17. 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
18. Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
19. Life assurance (3× annual salary)
20. Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
21. Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
22. Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
23. 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
24. Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
25. £500 bonus
26. Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
27. Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
28. 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:
Closing Date:
2026-06-18