Lead Practitioner

Lead Practitioner - Street-Based Outreach

Location: Forward Leeds, 74 Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7DJ
Salary: £31,030 - £36,000 with potential upto £41,980
Contract: Permanent

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. 

We are seeking an experienced and dedicated Lead Practitioner to join our street-based outreach service in Leeds, supporting individuals experiencing rough sleeping and, in many cases, street-based begging.

This is a key role within the service, combining frontline practice with leadership responsibilities. You will play a vital part in coordinating outreach activity, supporting staff, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, person-centred interventions.

Role Overview
As Lead Practitioner, you will provide day-to-day guidance, supervision, and support to outreach and YSHP link working staff. You will coordinate service delivery across the city, ensuring an effective and responsive approach to engaging individuals on the streets.

You will work closely with a wide range of partner agencies to develop tailored support plans, helping individuals access accommodation, treatment, and wider support services, while promoting positive outcomes and reducing rough sleeping.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide line management and supervisory support to designated outreach and link working staff
• Coordinate the day-to-day delivery of the street-based outreach service across Leeds
• Lead proactive outreach activity to prevent and reduce rough sleeping and begging
• Develop and implement comprehensive, person-centred interventions in collaboration with a multi-agency network
• Support effective case management across the team, ensuring positive service user outcomes and achievement of performance targets
• Contribute to the operational running and ongoing development of the outreach service
• Build and maintain strong partnerships with key stakeholders, including housing services, police, probation, and health providers

Person Specification

Essential:

• At least 2 years’ experience working with individuals affected by homelessness, substance misuse, or complex needs
• Experience supporting, supervising, or mentoring staff
• Strong understanding of multi-agency working and partnership approaches
• Ability to manage a varied workload in a fast-paced environment
• Excellent communication, organisational, and problem-solving skills
• A proactive, resilient, and person-centred approach

Desirable:

• Experience in street-based outreach services
• Knowledge of local services within Leeds
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and trauma-informed practice

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:

2026-05-15