At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with vulnerable individuals, providing support and helping them access treatment and housing.
- Company: Waythrough, a leading mental health and social support charity in England.
- Benefits: Generous leave, pension contributions, professional development, and wellbeing initiatives.
- Other info: Join a compassionate team dedicated to creating lasting change for individuals in need.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in your community and support those facing significant challenges.
- Qualifications: NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care or willingness to work towards it.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 29000 £ per year.
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
- 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
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Street 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 Street 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.
