Affinity Practitioner - Mid Essex

NHS; Chelmsford; On-site; GBP 31,000; Full time

Job summary

An established independent provider of community health and care services is seeking a dedicated Affinity Practitioner. This full-time role focuses on trauma-informed support for children and young people in educational settings. You will collaborate with schools to create inclusive environments, empowering them to adopt compassionate approaches to well-being. Your work will be flexible and responsive to the needs of the community, making a significant impact on the lives of young people. Join a team committed to transforming health and care, with opportunities for professional development and a supportive work culture.

Benefits

Group Pension

Discounts on Everyday Purchases

Access to Wages as Earned

Mental and Physical Wellbeing Support

Continuing Professional Development Opportunities

Innovation Funding for Ideas

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in social work, youth development, or related field.
• Strong empathy for challenges faced by children and young people.
• Proven experience working with youth and leading initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain trusted relationships within school communities.
• Support schools in developing relationship-focused approaches to behavior management.
• Deliver professional development sessions for school staff.

Skills

Empathy

Communication Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Organizational Skills

Adaptability

Education

Qualification in Social Work

Youth Development

Public Health

Education

Job description

Job summary

Are you passionate about making a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young people?

We are looking for a dedicated Affinity Practitioner to join our team, specialising in trauma-informed support within educational settings across the Mid Essex area.

In this vital role, you will champion system change by helping schools rebuild connections with their students - creating inclusive environments where young people feel safe, supported, and understood. You will empower schools to adopt compassionate, holistic approaches to well-being and behaviour, encourage co-regulation, and support staff in developing consistent, relationship-based strategies that minimise risk and promote positive outcomes for all.

This is a full time fixed term position for 12 months, based at our Chelmsford County Hall Family Hub and covering the Mid Essex area. Your work will be flexible and responsive to the evolving needs of the children and young people we serve.

Main duties of the job

• Build and maintain trusted relationships as a valued partner within school communities.
• Work collaboratively with school leadership teams and Healthy Schools Engagement workers to deliver targeted emotional regulation support.
• Support schools in developing consistent, relationship-focused approaches to behaviour management and crisis care.
• Promote effective recording, reporting, and evaluation of incidents involving positive handling.
• Coach children, young people, and families to co-create and implement action plans that enhance emotional regulation skills.
• Deliver professional development sessions for school staff, students, and educators.
• Provide classroom coaching and support in the use of emotion coaching strategies.
• Apply Non-Violent Resistance techniques to support adults caring for young people with challenging behaviours.

For a full list of job responsibilities please see the attached job description.

About us

About the Company

We change lives by transforming health and care.

Established in 2006, we are one of the UKs leading independent providers of community health and care services, working with health and care commissioners and communities to transform services with a focus on experience, efficiency and improved outcomes. We deliver and transform adult and children community health services, primary care services including urgent care, sexual health, dermatology and MSK services as well as adult social care and wellbeing services.Across England, we support communities of many millions and directly help more than half a million people each year - guided by our simple values: we care, we think, we do.

Were committed to equal opportunities and welcome applications from a broad, diverse range of people who want to join our team. Were a Disability Confident Committed company, so we work to provide facilities, work environment adjustments and technical solutions to be as inclusive of everyone.

While it doesnt happen often, sometimes a role is very popular, and well need to close it earlier than the date weve shown here. If youre keen to join our team, wed love to hear from you so please apply as soon as you can.

To find out more about HCRG Care Group, please visit https://www.hcrgcaregroup.com/about-us-2

Details Date posted

07 May 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£30,607.50 to £30,607.50 a year

Contract

Fixed term

Duration

12 months

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

HCRGCG/TP/25229/15287

Job locations

HCRG Care Group

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH

Job description Job responsibilities

As an Affinity Practitioner, youll be part of our amazing team in Mid Essex.

You will feel valued as a within HCRG Care Group, receiving access to exclusive rewards and benefits including:

• £30,607.50 with group pension
• Membership of My Reward Hub, giving you access to discounts on every day purchases like grocery shopping as well as cashback and voucher offers for treats for you and those special to you
• Access to your wages as you earn them to help cover lifes emergencies and avoid overdraft fees or high interest rates
• Online and face to face help with your mental and physical wellbeing from healthy recipes and activity challenges through to post trauma support, legal, debt and life management help, as well career coaching and counselling
• Access to eLearning, bespoke career pathways and opportunities for continuing professional development through our Outstanding learning and development team, The Learning Enterprise
• An open, just culture where youre encouraged to have and implement ideas which can help us deliver our purpose: changing lives through transforming health and care backed up by at least £100,000 of ringfenced innovation funding each year
• The pride of working for an organisation committed to the highest clinical and quality standards: with a majority of our rated services holding good or outstanding ratings from the Care Quality Commission

The Ideal Candidate

• A relevant qualification in social work, youth development, public health, education, or a related field.
• A genuine passion for creating positive social change and improving the health and well-being of young people.
• Strong empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by children and young people in todays society.
• Adaptability to respond to evolving program needs and dynamic working environments.
• Proven experience working with youth, including leading youth-led initiatives and campaigns.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire and motivate young people toward positive change.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with young people, colleagues, and partners.
• Effective mentoring and coaching abilities to support and empower young changemakers.
• Exceptional organisational skills for planning programs, coordinating events, and managing activities.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.
• Afull UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel to schools and partner organisations.

Job description Job responsibilities

As an Affinity Practitioner, youll be part of our amazing team in Mid Essex.

You will feel valued as a within HCRG Care Group, receiving access to exclusive rewards and benefits including:

• £30,607.50 with group pension
• Membership of My Reward Hub, giving you access to discounts on every day purchases like grocery shopping as well as cashback and voucher offers for treats for you and those special to you
• Access to your wages as you earn them to help cover lifes emergencies and avoid overdraft fees or high interest rates
• Online and face to face help with your mental and physical wellbeing from healthy recipes and activity challenges through to post trauma support, legal, debt and life management help, as well career coaching and counselling
• Access to eLearning, bespoke career pathways and opportunities for continuing professional development through our Outstanding learning and development team, The Learning Enterprise
• An open, just culture where youre encouraged to have and implement ideas which can help us deliver our purpose: changing lives through transforming health and care backed up by at least £100,000 of ringfenced innovation funding each year
• The pride of working for an organisation committed to the highest clinical and quality standards: with a majority of our rated services holding good or outstanding ratings from the Care Quality Commission

The Ideal Candidate

• A relevant qualification in social work, youth development, public health, education, or a related field.
• A genuine passion for creating positive social change and improving the health and well-being of young people.
• Strong empathy and understanding of the challenges faced by children and young people in todays society.
• Adaptability to respond to evolving program needs and dynamic working environments.
• Proven experience working with youth, including leading youth-led initiatives and campaigns.
• Strong leadership skills to inspire and motivate young people toward positive change.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for engaging with young people, colleagues, and partners.
• Effective mentoring and coaching abilities to support and empower young changemakers.
• Exceptional organisational skills for planning programs, coordinating events, and managing activities.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings and weekends as required.
• Afull UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for travel to schools and partner organisations.

Person Specification General Requirements Essential

• Click Apply for this job above to view the Job Description on our career site

Desirable

• Click Apply for this job above to view the Job Description on our career site

Person Specification General Requirements Essential

• Click Apply for this job above to view the Job Description on our career site

Desirable

• Click Apply for this job above to view the Job Description on our career site

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details Employer name

HCRG Care Group

Address

HCRG Care Group

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH

Employer's website

https://www.hcrgcaregroup.com/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details Employer name

HCRG Care Group

Address

HCRG Care Group

Chelmsford

Essex

CM1 1QH

Employer's website

https://www.hcrgcaregroup.com/ (Opens in a new tab)