Criminal Justice Peer Support Apprentice

Location: Investigative Hub and Custody, Spennymoor, DL16 6FS.
Working Hours: 30 hours per week
Contract Type: Apprenticeship
Salary:£10.00per hour

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 have an exciting opportunity to join our Liaison and Diversion Team as a Peer Support Apprentice, based in Durham Constabulary - Investigative Hub and Custody, Spennymoor, DL16 6FS.

Our aim is to improve the lives of people with vulnerabilities as they go through the custody and court process.  We do this by providing support and guidance to engage with relevant services.    

Waythrough recognises and values the support lived experience can offer individuals and as such it is a requirement of the role that apprentices have personal lived experience of mental health issues or is/has been the carer of someone with mental health issues who you have supported to access mental health services Community service and Volunteering will be taken into account.

As the role requires you to engage with study you must be willing to undertake a Level 2 apprenticeship in Adult Care with a local college, this will include achieving a Level 2 in functional skills (Maths & English) as part of your apprenticeship or proof of qualification standard.  A basic understanding of IT would be useful too as you will be using a laptop to help you carry out your job.

The successful candidate needs to be capable of independent travel across the area to cater for meeting up with clients in community venues and as such does require access to a car.
(Travel expenses will be provided)

What you'll do;

• Meet with individuals alongside the Lead Practitioner or Support Workers or on a multiagency basis to provide care and support as defined within the care plan.
• Support and contribute to client care planning and risk management alongside the Support Workers.
• To work directly with police, probation officers or youth offending teams, in custody, court and community settings with support from the Lead Practitioner, Support Workers or other members of the multi-disciplinary team.
• Meet with clients within a range of community settings or only when appropriate, within their home, to promote and enable engagement with identified support services. All such visits will be supported by another member of the team be that the Lead Practitioner, Support Worker or another member of staff.
• Ensure service user interaction and referral information is recorded to a high standard within agreed timescales.

What you'll need to succeed in the role;

• Has personal experience of mental health, substance misuse or learning disability issues (experience of the custodial system also valued as lived experience). Suitability for the role will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• Good communication skills including the ability to engage empathically and professionally with clients, professionals and the wider public.
• Basic IT skills.
• Willing to undertake a minimum Level 2 qualification in Health and Social Care.
• GCSE Maths and English (grade 1 or above or equivalent) Without this, role holder expected to achieve a pass in functional Maths and English as part of the apprenticeship.

To view the full job description please 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: [email protected] 

Closing Date:

2026-02-26