Engage Outreach Worker

Hillingdon Council; Greater London; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 52,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

36-hour week

Holiday entitlement

LGPS

Perkbox benefits

Cycle to work

Travel support

Job summary

Hillingdon Council is seeking a Contextual Safeguarding Professional to contribute to Project ENGAGE, an early intervention service funded by MOPAC until 1 April 2027. You will lead safeguarding efforts, coordinate assessments and work with police, schools and youth services to divert at-risk youths from violence.

The role requires safeguarding experience, strong contextual safeguarding knowledge, and excellent communication. A UK driving licence is essential to travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Experience within safeguarding or early intervention services for children and young people.
• Strong understanding of contextual safeguarding, serious youth violence, and exploitation.
• Ability to build effective partnerships across statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Holds UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle.
• Excellent communication and organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Be an integral part of delivering high-quality early interventions.
• Oversee assessments of children at risk of serious youth violence and ensure timely safeguarding interventions.
• Promote contextual safeguarding approaches and evidence-based practice across the service.
• Build strong partnerships with the Metropolitan Police, schools, youth services and other agencies.
• Champion restorative and solution-focused approaches that support children and families to achieve positive outcomes.

Skills

Contextual safeguarding

Safeguarding experience

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Driving licence

Job description

About the role

Help shape the future of early intervention and safeguard children at risk of serious youth violence.

We are looking for a highly motivated, organised and experienced Contextual Safeguarding Professional to join Project ENGAGE, a specialist early intervention service funded by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) Violence Reduction Unit until 1 April 2027.

Project ENGAGE supports children who have been arrested and are in police custody, using this critical "teachable moment" to identify risks, build positive relationships and provide early intervention that helps divert children away from serious violence and exploitation. Working closely with families, police and partner agencies, you will join a dedicated team committed to improving outcomes for children through evidence-based, trauma-informed and relational practice.

You Will

• Be an integral part of delivering high-quality early interventions.
• Oversee assessments of children at risk of serious youth violence and ensure timely safeguarding interventions.
• Promote contextual safeguarding approaches and evidence-based practice across the service.
• Build strong partnerships with the Metropolitan Police, schools, youth services and other agencies.
• Champion restorative and solution-focused approaches that support children and families to achieve positive outcomes.

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience within safeguarding or early intervention services for children and young people.
• Has a strong understanding of contextual safeguarding, serious youth violence, and exploitation.
• Can build effective partnerships across statutory and voluntary agencies.
• Holds UK Driving License and access to a vehicle.
• Has excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Is passionate about early intervention, prevention, and improving outcomes for vulnerable children.

Why Join Us?

• Lead an innovative, evidence-based service making a real difference to children's lives.
• Work alongside committed professionals across safeguarding, youth justice and policing.
• Help shape interventions that prevent serious youth violence and support safer communities.
• Access ongoing learning and development within a supportive organisation.

Project ENGAGE is funded by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) Violence Reduction Unit until 1 April 2027.

About us

We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work-life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.

Here's a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:

• Flexible Working Hours - We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week - Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff.
• Generous Holiday Entitlement - increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure - Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes - option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work - Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme - access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Perkbox Benefits - Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Perkbox Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services - Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support - Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.
• Trade Union Membership - The Council recognises UNISON, Unite, AEP and GMB and supports employees' freedom of choice in relation to trade union membership.

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement

At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.

The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.

Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation's success.

Recruitment Information

Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a 'per application' basis.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.

In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre-employment screening:

• Enhanced DBS Check
• 5 years of Referencing

Please note:

Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.