Lead Practitioner

recoveryfocus; Carlisle, Penrith; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Job summary

Waythrough is hiring a Lead Practitioner to oversee the Outreach Team across Cumbria, including Carlisle and West Cumbria or Kendal/Barrow bases. The role combines frontline service user work with leadership, ensuring high-quality delivery and performance against targets.

You will support the Service Manager, develop staff, and drive continuous service improvement. Travel across Cumbria is required, with a 37-hour week and a salary banding of £31,030–£41,980.

Qualifications

• Experience leading and developing staff, including supervision.
• Experience delivering one-to-one and group interventions with people affected by substance use.
• Experience completing comprehensive risk and needs assessments.
• Knowledge of evidence-based interventions and best practice.
• Good IT skills and a full driving licence for travel across Cumbria.

Responsibilities

• Support the Service Manager with day-to-day management and performance of the outreach service.
• Lead, mentor, coach and develop a team of staff including supervision, performance management, recruitment and induction.
• Manage caseloads, conduct high-quality assessments and develop effective support plans.
• Deliver and support evidence-based one-to-one and group interventions.
• Monitor service performance and help the team achieve KPIs and contractual requirements.
• Collaborate with service users, families, professionals and partner agencies to improve outcomes.

Skills

Leadership experience

Assessments & risk assessments

Interventions (one-to-one & group)

Working with vulnerable groups

Evidence-based practice

IT literacy (MS Office)

Driving license & vehicle access

Education

NVQ Level 3 Health & Social Care

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Lead Practitioner (Outreach Team)

Location: County-wide across Cumbria - base can be Carlisle/West Cumbria or Kendal/Barrow

Working Hours: 37 hours per week. Monday to Friday between 9am-5pm

Contract Type: Permanent

Salary Banding: £31,030 - £41,980

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're looking for a Lead Practitioner to join our RSC team and support the day-to-day delivery and performance of our outreach service across Cumbria.

This is a varied and rewarding role, offering a great balance of service user contact and leadership responsibility. You'll work closely with the Service Manager to ensure the team delivers a high-quality service, meets its key performance targets and provides effective support to the people who use our services.

With responsibility for your own team, this role would suit someone who is ready to take the next step into management or someone looking to further develop their existing leadership skills and experience.

The role is county-wide, so travel across Cumbria will be required. You'll be working both independently and collaboratively as part of a fast-paced and responsive team.

What you'll be doing

Supporting the Service Manager with the day-to-day management and performance of the service.

Leading, mentoring, coaching and developing a team of staff, including supervision, performance management, recruitment and induction.

Managing a caseload and completing high-quality assessments, risk assessments and support plans.

Delivering and supporting evidence-based one-to-one and group interventions.

Monitoring service performance and supporting the team to achieve key performance indicators and contractual requirements.

Working closely with service users, families, professionals and partner agencies.

Maintaining accurate records and reports and using information to identify opportunities for continuous service improvement.

Supporting the delivery of accessible services that meet local need.

Deputising for the Service Manager when required.

Working in line with relevant legislation, policies, procedures and Waythrough's clinical governance framework.

What you'll bring

We're looking for someone who has experience of working with vulnerable people and is confident supporting others to achieve positive outcomes.

• An NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent.
• Experience of leading and developing people, including providing effective supervision.
• Experience of working with people affected by drug and/or alcohol use and delivering one-to-one and group interventions.
• Experience of completing comprehensive assessments and risk assessments.
• An understanding of evidence-based interventions and best practice.
• Good IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
• A full driving licence and access to a vehicle, as the role covers a large geographical area.

The ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team. A commitment to Waythrough's values of Kindness, Courage and Respect.

Experience in a health or social care setting, criminal justice or safeguarding would also be welcomed. Knowledge of drug and alcohol services is desirable, as is relevant professional experience such as addiction studies, counselling, social work or therapeutic practice.

What's in it for you

This is an excellent opportunity to combine frontline service user support with leadership and management, giving you the chance to make a real difference while helping a team to thrive.

The outreach nature of the role means you'll have the opportunity to see the positive impact your work can have on people's overall quality of life. It could also be an ideal next step for someone looking to develop their management skills and experience.

At Waythrough, we're committed to breaking down the barriers that prevent people from getting the support they need to live a life they value.

Interviews

15 September 2026 in Penrith.

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