Recovery Focus
Lead Practitioner - Intervention Team
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Location: Forward Leeds – Kirkgate and Seacroft, Leeds
Working Hours: 37 hours per week (Full Time)
Contract Type: Permanent (Full Time)
Salary: £31,030.00 - £41,980.00 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.
Make a real difference in your community:
Are you an experienced practitioner with a passion for leading people, developing high-quality services and supporting individuals to achieve lasting recovery?
Join Forward Leeds as a Lead Practitioner within our Intervention Team and help shape the delivery of specialist substance use services across the city.
Working as part of our Focused Intervention Team, you'll support adults experiencing a range of substance use issues, with a particular focus on non-dependent alcohol use and non-opiate substance use.
This is an exciting opportunity to combine leadership with direct client work, supporting both colleagues and people accessing our services while helping to drive service excellence.
You'll play a key role in creating a positive team culture, supporting staff development and ensuring people receive compassionate, evidence-based and person-centred support that helps them make meaningful, lasting changes.
About the Role:
Forward Leeds is the city's alcohol and drug service, providing advice, support and treatment for adults, young people and families.
We're looking for an experienced and motivated Lead Practitioner to join our Intervention Team, working within the Focused Intervention Team.
The Focused Intervention Team supports adults experiencing a range of substance use issues, specialising in work with people presenting with non-dependent alcohol use and non-opiate substance use.
You'll support the Service Manager with the day-to-day operational management of the team, ensuring high-quality, safe and effective services are delivered while meeting contractual and performance requirements.
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This role is based across both Forward Leeds sites at Kirkgate and Seacroft and includes one late shift each week, working until 7:00pm to meet the needs of the service.
Alongside leading a team of up to 10 staff, you'll maintain a small caseload of people with more complex needs, providing specialist guidance, supporting excellent clinical practice and working closely with partner agencies to improve outcomes for the people we support.
What You'll Do:
As a Lead Practitioner, you will:
- Provide day-to-day operational leadership and support to a team of up to 10 staff within the Focused Intervention Team.
- Supervise, coach and develop staff through regular supervision, appraisal, training and performance management.
- Support the Service Manager to deliver high-quality services that meet contractual requirements, quality standards and key performance indicators (KPIs).
- Lead on the development and implementation of specialist pathways, interventions and service improvements.
- Maintain a small caseload of adults with complex needs, completing comprehensive assessments, risk assessments and recovery plans.
- Deliver and oversee evidence-based psychosocial interventions using trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches.
- Support staff with complex case management, safeguarding, risk management and professional decision-making.
- Work collaboratively with healthcare providers, housing services, criminal justice partners and community organisations to provide coordinated support.
- Analyse service information and performance data to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
- Ensure accurate, timely and confidential case recording in line with organisational policies and clinical governance standards.
- Promote harm reduction, reduce the impact of substance use on individuals and the wider community, and encourage positive recovery outcomes.
- Deputise for the Service Manager when required and contribute to the wider leadership and development of Forward Leeds.
About You:
We're looking for an experienced practitioner who is passionate about supporting people, leading teams and delivering excellent services.
Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent) is essential. A relevant professional qualification in addiction studies, counselling, social work or a related discipline is desirable.
Leadership Experience: Experience of supervising, mentoring and developing staff, including delivering effective supervision, performance management and supporting professional development.
Substance Use Expertise: Significant experience of working with adults affected by alcohol and drug use, including people experiencing non-dependent alcohol use and non-opiate substance use. Experience delivering evidence-based interventions such as Motivational Interviewing (MI), Psychosocial Interventions (PSIs), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and ITEP is essential.
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Clinical Practice: Experience completing comprehensive assessments, risk assessments, safeguarding and recovery planning while maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
Partnership Working: Experience working collaboratively with health services, criminal justice agencies, housing providers and community organisations to achieve positive outcomes for people with multiple and complex needs.
Quality & Performance: Experience monitoring service quality, analysing management information and contributing to continuous service improvement in line with national guidance and best practice.
Communication & IT Skills: Excellent communication, organisational and relationship-building skills with confidence using Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems.
Leadership Style: A compassionate, resilient and proactive leader who can motivate others, manage competing priorities and create a positive, inclusive team environment.
To view the Job Description 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:
2026-08-07
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