Lead Practitioner

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.

You'll need:

• 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.

For full job description and person specification, 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:

2026-09-04