At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team supporting individuals facing homelessness and health challenges.
- Company: Join Waythrough, one of England's largest mental health and social support charities.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: We value diversity and welcome applications from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in leading teams in housing, health, or social care is essential.
Location: Severn House, Belmont, County Durham, DH1 1TH
Working Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £31,030 - £41,980 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’re looking for an experienced and motivated Team Leader to join Waythrough as we mobilise the Housing, Health & Wellbeing Hospital Discharge Support Service across County Durham. This is an exciting opportunity to lead a dedicated team delivering a vital service that supports people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness to leave hospital safely and successfully. Working alongside health, housing and social care partners, you’ll ensure people receive coordinated, person-centred support that promotes independence, improves wellbeing and reduces the risk of hospital readmission.
As Team Leader, you’ll provide day-to-day operational leadership, supporting and developing your team to deliver high-quality services that meet contractual requirements and achieve positive outcomes for the people we support. You’ll oversee service performance, ensure safeguarding responsibilities are met and work closely with the Service Manager to embed effective ways of working, maintain quality standards and drive continuous improvement.
Partnership working will be central to the role. You’ll build and maintain strong relationships with NHS colleagues, Adult Social Care, housing providers and other local organisations to ensure people receive seamless support throughout their hospital discharge journey.
About the service
The Housing, Health & Wellbeing Hospital Discharge Support Service aims to prevent individuals aged 18 and over from being discharged from hospital into street homelessness, while supporting safe, timely and sustainable discharges through coordinated in-hospital intervention and time-limited post-discharge support.
The service provides proactive, responsive and coordinated support through:
- Early identification of individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- In-hospital assessment, advocacy and discharge coordination.
- Time-limited post-discharge support to help people sustain accommodation and reduce the risk of hospital readmission.
The service specifically supports individuals who:
- Are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
- Have support needs relating to drug and alcohol use.
- Are known to Adult Social Care services, including those with assessed care and support needs, those open to Adult Social Care teams, and those requiring coordinated discharge planning.
About you
We’re looking for an approachable and supportive leader who is passionate about improving outcomes for people experiencing homelessness and other complex needs. You’ll have experience of leading or supervising teams within housing, homelessness, health, social care or another related setting and be confident developing strong partnerships with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
You’ll also have:
- A relevant Level 3 qualification in Adult Social Care, Housing or a related subject.
- Experience of leading and developing teams to deliver high-quality, person-centred services.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships across partner organisations.
- Experience of working within multi-agency environments and managing competing priorities.
- A good understanding of safeguarding, risk management and quality assurance.
- The ability to monitor performance, support continuous improvement and promote a positive team culture.
- A full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle, as regular travel across County Durham is required.
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 contact our recruitment team.
Team Leader in Belmont employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to impactful change, we offer a supportive work culture, generous annual leave, and various well-being initiatives, making it a fulfilling place to work for those passionate about guiding individuals towards recovery. Join us in a role where your contributions truly matter, and be part of a diverse team dedicated to making a difference in people's lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Team Leader in Belmont
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Waythrough.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Waythrough!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Waythrough, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Waythrough or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Team Leader in Belmont
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Waythrough:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Waythrough! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Waythrough
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
