Job Description

Drug and Alcohol Practitioner – Forward Leeds
Location: Forward Leeds, Irford House, Seacroft Crescent, Leeds, LS14 6PA

Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, including one late evening per week as part of the contracted hours.

Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 – £32,090 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.

About the Role:

We are looking for a compassionate and motivated Recovery Worker to support individuals affected by alcohol and/or non-opiate substance use. In this role, you will manage a caseload by developing, implementing, and reviewing personalised recovery and treatment plans tailored to individual needs.

You will provide 1:1 psychosocial interventions (PSI), brief interventions, and holistic care planning to support individuals in reducing harm and making sustainable positive changes. Working collaboratively with colleagues and partner agencies across the city, you will guide individuals from initial assessment through structured treatment and into recovery and onward care.

If you are passionate about empowering others, promoting wellbeing, and making a meaningful difference within the community, we would love to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities:

• Manage a caseload of individuals using alcohol and/or non-opiate substances, supporting the development and review of ongoing recovery and treatment plans.

• Facilitate and promote progression from initial assessment into structured treatment.

• Deliver 1:1 PSI and brief intervention support.

• Complete care planning and risk assessment/management.

• Take a whole-person, holistic approach to ensure each individual’s care package supports all aspects of their wellbeing.

• Reduce substance-related harm to individuals and the wider community.

• Work collaboratively with key partners and colleagues across the city-wide partnership to achieve the best health and wellbeing outcomes.

• Support individuals to make positive changes, achieve their goals in treatment, and progress into recovery and aftercare services.

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About You:

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent/higher qualification), or willingness to work towards this qualification in post.

• Relevant professional qualification such as addiction studies, counselling, social work, or a therapeutic qualification.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office programmes.

• Understanding of, and ability to deliver, interventions including Brief Interventions, Motivational Interviewing (MI), PSI, CBT, and ITEP.

• Experience delivering both 1:1 and group therapeutic interventions.

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:

2026-07-08