At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable individuals in the community, providing outreach and tailored recovery plans.
- Company: Join Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in the UK.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with potential for out-of-hours outreach.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while building meaningful relationships.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or willingness to work towards it.
The predicted salary is between 29399 - 35932 £ per year.
Location: 3 Armley Court, Armley Road, Leeds, LS12 2LB
Working Hours: 37 hours - Monday to Friday
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 - £34,240.03 per annum
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.
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 compassionate and motivated Specialist Outreach Recovery Coordinator to join the Sex Worker Outreach Team, a specialist team within Forward Leeds. The team works with vulnerable people who are sex working or are victims of sexual exploitation and who require additional support with their needs and engagement in drug treatment services. The aim of the team is to engage and retain people who may otherwise find it challenging to access or remain engaged with our service.
This is an outreach role. Although you’ll be based from our Forward Leeds hubs to start and finish your day, attend meetings and complete administrative work, the majority of your day-to-day client contact will take place within the community. There is a strong focus on safeguarding when supporting clients. The team provides more intensive, holistic and person-centred support, meeting people where they are and working alongside them to improve their quality of life, reduce harm and empower them to make positive and sustainable changes.
Alongside the specialist outreach element of the role, you’ll manage a caseload and provide collaborative recovery planning and case management across individuals’ recovery journeys, from assessment and engagement through structured treatment and towards sustained recovery.
What You’ll Do
- Build trusting relationships with people who may find it challenging to engage with drug treatment services.
- Provide community-based outreach, meeting people where they are and supporting them to engage with and remain in treatment.
- Manage a caseload, developing, implementing and reviewing individual recovery and treatment plans.
- Carry out triage, screening and comprehensive assessments with people accessing the service.
- Lead on risk assessments, risk management plans and safeguarding assessments and plans.
- Provide intensive, holistic and person-centred support tailored to each individual’s circumstances, needs and goals.
- Develop and deliver 1:1 and group psychosocial interventions and appropriate harm reduction support.
- Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary colleagues, partner agencies and other services to provide coordinated support.
- Support people to access treatment and community resources, helping to build recovery, independence and social connections.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date records and contribute to the safe and effective delivery of the service.
To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:
- NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or equivalent, or a willingness to work towards this in post.
- An understanding of interventions including brief interventions, motivational interviewing, psychosocial interventions, CBT and ITEP.
- A compassionate, non-judgemental and person-centred approach to working with vulnerable people.
- The ability to build trusting relationships with people who may find it difficult to engage with services.
- A strong understanding of safeguarding, risk management, confidentiality and professional boundaries.
- Confidence working independently in the community as part of an outreach service.
- Good communication, organisational and IT skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office.
- A full driving licence – this is essential for the role.
- Access to your own car is desirable.
- Knowledge or experience of substance misuse, harm reduction, recovery planning and delivering 1:1 or group interventions would be advantageous.
Working Hours & Outreach
This is primarily a community-based outreach role. You’ll start and finish your working day from one of our Forward Leeds hubs, where you’ll also attend meetings and complete administrative duties. Day-to-day client contact will mainly take place within the community. The Sex Worker Outreach Team also delivers multiple out-of-hours outreach sessions on a rota basis which fall outside the usual 9am–5pm working day. Participation in out-of-hours outreach is not mandatory; however, it is desirable. Where additional hours are worked, TOIL (time off in lieu) can be taken. Due to the nature of the outreach work, applicants are required to hold a full driving licence. Having access to your own car is desirable.
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.
Closing Date: 2026-09-29
Sex Worker Outreach Practitioner employer: Waythrough
Waythrough is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work culture that prioritises the wellbeing of both staff and service users. With a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to health equality, employees can thrive while making a meaningful impact in the community. Located in the vibrant city of Sheffield, this role as a Health & Wellbeing Nurse allows you to be part of a dedicated team focused on transforming lives and promoting mental health.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sex Worker Outreach Practitioner
✨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 Sex Worker Outreach Practitioner
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.
