Liaison & Diversion Manager (South London)

Location: South London
Working Hours: 37
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £35,920 - £51,640

Make a real difference in your community

Are you passionate about helping others live safer, healthier and more independent lives?

Join Waythrough, one of the UK’s leading mental health and social support charities, and make a lasting impact every day.

We support over 125,000 people each year through our 200 services, empowering individuals to overcome challenges around mental health, housing, and substance use.

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Service Manager to lead our Liaison and Diversion Service, covering all South London boroughs. The service works collaboratively with Liaison & Diversion mental and physical health practitioners, police, probation, and community partners to support people identified as vulnerable at the point of arrest.

The service provides assertive follow-up for men, women, and young people experiencing vulnerabilities related to mental or physical health, substance use, or homelessness. The aim is to support people to engage with appropriate community services, reduce risk, and limit further contact with the criminal justice system.

Location & Working Arrangements

• Coverage: South London – across all boroughs

• Base: Your primary base will be the Waythrough service location closest to your home, with regular travel across South London required

Working Pattern:

• Weekday working

• No weekend working

• Some evening working will be required

Please note that working arrangements may change during the life of the contract in response to service and commissioner requirements. A flexible approach is therefore essential.

What You’ll Do

As Service Manager, you will:

• Lead and manage a portfolio of Liaison and Diversion and criminal justice services within your area.

• Ensure high-quality assessments, action plans, and person-centred interventions are delivered consistently.

• Develop and implement service business plans aligned with regional and organisational priorities.

• Identify opportunities to grow and develop services in line with local need and commissioning priorities.

• Manage, mentor, and develop staff and volunteers, including recruitment, supervision, training, and performance management.

• Maintain strong working relationships with commissioners, police, probation, health services, and voluntary sector partners.

• Manage service budgets effectively in partnership with the Finance Team.

• Oversee performance monitoring, reporting, quality assurance, and continuous service improvement.

• Ensure services are accessible and inclusive, with particular attention to underrepresented groups.

• Ensure compliance with safeguarding, health and safety, and all relevant legislation and organisational policies.

• Promote and model Waythrough’s workplace values: honest, committed, and inventive.

To Succeed in This Role, You’ll Need:

Essential:

• A recognised management qualification (or working towards), or equivalent leadership experience.

• Experience of managing services and teams delivering outcomes to vulnerable people.

• Strong partnership working and stakeholder engagement skills.

• Experience of budget management and performance delivery.

• Knowledge of safeguarding frameworks and risk management.

Desirable:

• Level 3 qualification in Substance Misuse.

• Experience of business development or tender writing.

• Knowledge of recovery, housing, employability, or criminal justice service models.

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. 

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: