At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team and support individuals facing challenges with drug and alcohol use.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team culture await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in substance misuse services and strong communication skills required.
Location: Centre for Change, 88 Whinney Hill, Durham DH1 3BQ. This will be your main base; however, there is an expectation to travel to other services across County Durham.
Working Hours: 22.5 hours per week, worked over 3 days. Working Pattern: Negotiable between Monday and Friday (09:00 – 17:00). Contract Type: Permanent. Salary: £31,030 - £41,980 (pro rata).
*Please note: This role requires a valid UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle. 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 Lead Practitioner to join our County Durham Drug and Alcohol Service. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with experience in substance misuse services who is ready to take the next step into a leadership role or build on their existing management experience. You’ll play a key part in supporting the day-to-day running of the service, leading a small team, maintaining high standards of care and ensuring the people we support receive safe, effective and person-centred interventions. Working closely with the Service Manager, you’ll help drive service quality, mentor colleagues and contribute to the ongoing development of the service while continuing to hold a small caseload.
What You’ll Be Doing: As a Lead Practitioner, you’ll:
- Support the day-to-day operational management of the service and deputise for the Service Manager when required.
- Provide line management, supervision and coaching to a small team, helping colleagues develop and thrive.
- Deliver and oversee high-quality assessments, risk assessments and recovery planning.
- Maintain a small caseload, delivering evidence-based interventions to people accessing the service.
- Monitor service quality, analyse performance information and contribute towards achieving contractual targets and KPIs.
- Build strong relationships with internal teams, partner agencies and stakeholders across County Durham.
- Help shape and improve service delivery, ensuring services remain accessible and responsive to local need.
- Promote a positive, supportive team culture aligned with Waythrough's values.
About You: We’re looking for someone who is passionate about supporting people affected by drug and alcohol use and who enjoys developing others to achieve their potential. You’ll ideally have:
- An NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent or above).
- Experience working within drug and alcohol services.
- Experience delivering evidence-based interventions and managing complex caseloads.
- Experience completing comprehensive assessments and risk assessments.
- Experience supporting or leading colleagues through supervision, coaching or line management.
- Strong communication skills with the confidence to present information and build relationships with stakeholders.
- Good IT skills and the ability to analyse and report on performance information.
- A flexible approach and willingness to travel across County Durham as required.
Management experience is desirable, but we’re also keen to hear from experienced practitioners looking to take the next step in their career.
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 Durham 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 Durham
✨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 Durham
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.
