At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and support a team to deliver impactful outreach services across Cumbria.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension scheme, professional development, and wellness initiatives.
- Other info: Join a supportive team committed to kindness, courage, and respect.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with vulnerable people and a Level 3 qualification in Health & Social Care.
- Lead Practitioner (Outreach Team)
- Location: County-wide across Cumbria – base can be Carlisle/West Cumbria or Kendal/Barrow
- Working
- Monday to Friday between 9am–5pm
- Contract
- Type: Permanent
- Salary
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 contact our recruitment team
Lead Practitioner in Carlisle 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 Lead Practitioner in Carlisle
✨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 Lead Practitioner in Carlisle
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.
