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Lead Practitioner– Forward Leeds
Location: 3 Armley Court, Armley Rd, Armley, Leeds LS12 2LB
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday with evening work when required
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £31,030 - £41,980 per annum
Make a real difference in your community
Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier and more independent lives?
Join Waythrough, one of the UK’s leading mental health and social support charities, and make a lasting impact every day.
We support over 125,000 people each year through our 200 services, empowering individuals to overcome challenges around mental health, housing, and substance use.
About the Role
We are seeking a Lead Practitioner to spearhead our pioneering Sex Worker Outreach Team within our dynamic and forward-thinking organisation.
This role offers a profound opportunity to make a significant impact, leading a dedicated team focused on supporting individuals engaged in or at risk of engaging in sex work. The essence of this role is to reach, support, engage, and provide choices to individuals, employing a comprehensive and empathetic approach to address both immediate needs and the underlying challenges faced by this community.
As a new role we are looking for someone who can make it their own, working flexibly and creatively to support vulnerable adults. Evening work will be a part of the role, on a rota’d basis, to allow for everyone who needs the service to be reached.
What You’ll Do
1. Leadership and Team Support: Provide inspirational leadership and support to the team of Sex Worker Recovery Outreach Coordinators. Mentor and guide the team in delivering exceptional outreach services, ensuring a cohesive and strategic approach to support services.
2. Strategic Outreach: Lead the team in implementing proactive, outreach-based strategies to engage with individuals involved in sex work. Emphasize the importance of reaching out to those who may not traditionally seek help, breaking down barriers to engagement through a non-judgmental and persistent approach.
3. Holistic Support: Champion a holistic, flexible, and trauma-informed service delivery model that acknowledges the complex socio-economic challenges, stigma, and discrimination faced by sex workers. Encourage a service ethos that seeks to understand and address the multifaceted nature of individuals’ experiences.
4. Partnership Collaboration: Foster strategic alliances with a broad spectrum of city-wide services, including sex worker charities, domestic abuse agencies, homelessness prevention initiatives, and substance misuse specialists. Collaborate to enhance safety, reduce risks associated with sex work and substance use, and improve overall health and social outcomes.
5. Person-Centred Care: Ensure the delivery of tailored, person-centred, and wraparound support by working closely with key agencies. Lead the team in offering comprehensive care plans that align with the specific needs and aspirations of each individual.
6. Access to Recovery Services: Facilitate access to inpatient detoxification and residential rehabilitation services for those wishing to pursue recovery. Guide the team in supporting individuals through their recovery journey, ensuring a seamless transition between services.
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:
Whether you come from a strong background in the substance misuse sector, have experience in mental health support, experience working with Sex Workers or in domestic violence, we welcome you to join our diverse team.
We believe that various experiences contribute to our mission of providing comprehensive support and care.
Ideally you will have some of the below experience to bring with you to Waythrough:
7. Substance misuse background
8. Mental health background
9. Experience working with Sex Workers
10. Experience working with those affected by domestic violence
11. NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or above or equivalent)
About Waythrough
Formed in 2024 through the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship, Waythrough is now one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England.
With 3,500 staff and volunteers across more than 200 services, we help people to live full, meaningful lives.
Some roles may still appear under our legacy brands (Humankind, Richmond Fellowship, Aquarius) while we complete our integration — but wherever you join us, you’ll be part of one supportive team, sharing one purpose.
What We Offer
We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you’ll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:
12. 27 days’ annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
13. Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
14. Life assurance (3× annual salary)
15. Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
16. Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days’ annual leave
17. Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
18. 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
19. Recognition and long service awards via our and portals
20. £500 bonus
21. Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
22. Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
23. 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.
If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email .
How to Apply
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