Lead Practitioner
| Posting date: | 02 February 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £31,030 to £41,980 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 12 February 2026 |
| Location: | 74 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Humankind |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | JR011571 |
Summary
Lead Practitioner - Criminal Justice Team at Forward Leeds
Location: 74 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ, however there will be a requirement to travel across all the Forward Leeds hubs, when needed.
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday
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...
The Criminal Justice team at Forward Leeds provide support for individuals who are experiencing problematic substance use and who are involved in the Criminal Justice system.
The new Lead Practitioner will support the Team Manager in managing a large team of Case Managers based in our three hubs across Leeds, who offer support to service users upon release from prison and those who are mandated by Courts to address their drug and/or alcohol related offending.
You will provide line management to members of the team, ensuring that they have the support and guidance they need to deliver the best possible service, whilst supporting them to develop in their roles and prepare for future careers opportunities.
Our Lead Practitioners also drive our culture of collaborative working with key stakeholders across Probation, Prisons, Courts, Police and the Commissioning Team.
Managing a team who work with people leaving prison to ensure treatment continues
Working with ART and DRR referrals.
Service users have a range of substance misuse issues - Opiates, Alcohol, Non Opiate
About you...
Experience in substance misuse service is beneficial
Knowledge and experience of the Criminal Justice System.
NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or above or equivalent).
Understanding of and ability to implement evidenced based interventions, including brief interventions MI, PSIs, CBT and ITEP.
Experience of completing service user assessments including comprehensive risk assessments.
Previous line management experience is desirable although not essential.
Good written and verbal, communications skills.
A passion to make a positive difference and be hardworking and flexible to support staff and people who use our service.
To view the full job description and person specification, please 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 email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk
Location: 74 Kirkgate, Leeds LS2 7DJ, however there will be a requirement to travel across all the Forward Leeds hubs, when needed.
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday-Friday
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...
The Criminal Justice team at Forward Leeds provide support for individuals who are experiencing problematic substance use and who are involved in the Criminal Justice system.
The new Lead Practitioner will support the Team Manager in managing a large team of Case Managers based in our three hubs across Leeds, who offer support to service users upon release from prison and those who are mandated by Courts to address their drug and/or alcohol related offending.
You will provide line management to members of the team, ensuring that they have the support and guidance they need to deliver the best possible service, whilst supporting them to develop in their roles and prepare for future careers opportunities.
Our Lead Practitioners also drive our culture of collaborative working with key stakeholders across Probation, Prisons, Courts, Police and the Commissioning Team.
Managing a team who work with people leaving prison to ensure treatment continues
Working with ART and DRR referrals.
Service users have a range of substance misuse issues - Opiates, Alcohol, Non Opiate
About you...
Experience in substance misuse service is beneficial
Knowledge and experience of the Criminal Justice System.
NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or above or equivalent).
Understanding of and ability to implement evidenced based interventions, including brief interventions MI, PSIs, CBT and ITEP.
Experience of completing service user assessments including comprehensive risk assessments.
Previous line management experience is desirable although not essential.
Good written and verbal, communications skills.
A passion to make a positive difference and be hardworking and flexible to support staff and people who use our service.
To view the full job description and person specification, please 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 email our recruitment team: recruitmentteam@waythrough.org.uk