Young Adults Worker

Location: Forward Leeds, Tower Court, Armley Road, Leeds, LS12 2LY (citywide outreach role – driving licence required)
Working Hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm
Contract: Permanent
Salary: £25,877.80 – £32,090 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 Difference to Young People Across Leeds

We are looking for a passionate and motivated Young Adults Worker to join the Forward Leeds Young Persons Team.

In this rewarding role, you will support young people affected by drug and alcohol use, delivering targeted interventions to individuals aged up to 21 years old or up to 24 years old where additional vulnerabilities exist.

This is an outreach-based role, meaning your work will take place across communities in Leeds, including schools, colleges, Youth Justice settings, community venues, and partner agencies. You will build positive relationships with young people, helping them reduce harm, improve wellbeing, and achieve positive outcomes for their future.

If you are committed to supporting young people through challenges and empowering them to make lasting change, we would love to hear from you.

About the Role

As a Young Adults Worker, you will:

• Deliver tailored drug and alcohol interventions for young people across Leeds

• Build trusting relationships with young people through outreach and engagement work

• Provide 1:1 support, brief interventions, harm reduction advice, and structured interventions

• Carry out assessments, care planning, and risk management processes

• Support young people to improve emotional wellbeing, resilience, and independence

• Work collaboratively with schools, colleges, Youth Justice Services, social care teams, and other partner agencies

• Promote safeguarding and ensure young people receive appropriate support and referrals

• Encourage progression into education, training, employment, recovery, and wider support services

• Maintain accurate case records and contribute to positive outcomes across the service

About You:

We are looking for someone who is compassionate, resilient, and committed to improving outcomes for young people.

You will ideally have:

• Experience working with young people, particularly within substance use, mental health, youth work, social care, or related services

• Knowledge of drug and alcohol issues affecting young people and the ability to deliver harm reduction advice and interventions

• Strong communication and relationship-building skills

• Experience completing assessments, support plans, and risk management documentation

• The ability to work independently across community settings

• A full UK driving licence and access to transport for citywide outreach work

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programmes

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Desirable qualifications include:

• NVQ Level 3 in Health & Social Care (or equivalent)

• Youth work, counselling, social care, addiction studies, or therapeutic qualifications

• Experience delivering motivational and psychosocial interventions

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: [email protected] 

Closing Date: