Job Description

Location: Forward Leeds, 74 Kirkgate, Leeds, LS2 7DJ

Working Hours: 37 hours per week (Full Time)

Contract Type: Permanent (Full Time)

Salary: £25,877.80 to £34,240.03 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 passionate about supporting people experiencing homelessness and helping them take the first steps towards recovery?

Join our Street Support Team at Forward Leeds and play a vital role in engaging people who are rough sleeping or involved in street-based begging and experiencing drug or alcohol issues.

This is a rewarding outreach role where you'll build trusting relationships with some of the most vulnerable people in Leeds, helping them access treatment, improve their health and wellbeing, and move towards stable accommodation and long-term recovery.

No two days are the same. You'll spend time out in the community alongside partner agencies, responding to need, offering practical support and helping people make positive changes that can transform their lives.

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 a Street Support Outreach Worker to join our dedicated Street Support Team.

Working alongside outreach services, housing providers, healthcare professionals and other partner organisations, you'll engage with people experiencing homelessness, rough sleeping and street-based lifestyles.

You'll provide trauma-informed, person-centred support, helping individuals access treatment, reduce substance-related harm and overcome the barriers preventing them from moving forward.

You'll manage a varied caseload, coordinate recovery plans, deliver psychosocial interventions and work collaboratively with a wide range of agencies to improve outcomes for people with multiple and complex needs.

What You'll Do

As a Street Support Outreach Worker, you will:

• Engage proactively with people who are rough sleeping, homeless or involved in street-based begging, helping them access treatment and support.

• Manage a caseload of adults with complex needs, completing assessments, recovery plans, safeguarding and risk management plans.

• Build trusting relationships using trauma-informed and recovery-focused approaches.

• Deliver one-to-one psychosocial interventions and support individuals throughout their recovery journey.

• Work collaboratively with housing services and accommodation providers to help people move into supported and permanent housing.

• Carry out triage and comprehensive assessments, including harm reduction and blood-borne virus (BBV) screening where appropriate.

• Work closely with partner agencies including homelessness services, healthcare providers, local authorities and community organisations to deliver coordinated support.

• Promote harm reduction and reduce the impact of substance use on individuals and the wider community.

• Maintain accurate and confidential electronic case records and contribute to service quality and performance standards.

• Participate in outreach sessions, multidisciplinary meetings, supervision, training and ongoing professional development.

About You

We're looking for someone who is compassionate, resilient and motivated to support people experiencing multiple disadvantage.

Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent), or a willingness to work towards this qualification. A relevant qualification in substance misuse, social care or a related discipline is desirable.

Experience: Experience of working with adults affected by substance misuse, homelessness or other complex support needs within community or outreach settings.

Recovery Practice: Knowledge of recovery-focused practice, harm reduction, safeguarding, risk assessment and person-centred support planning.

Partnership Working: Experience of working collaboratively with statutory services, housing providers and community organisations to deliver coordinated support.

Communication Skills: Excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to engage and motivate people who may be reluctant to access services.

IT Skills: Confident using Microsoft Office and electronic case management systems to maintain accurate records.

Teamwork & Initiative: Able to work independently in community settings while contributing positively to a supportive multidisciplinary team. This role requires flexibility, including participation in outreach sessions and occasional unsociable hours to meet service needs.

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:

2026-07-24