Missing Children Safeguarding Practitioner

Southampton City Council; Southampton; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension 15.2%

Death in service

Flexible working

Generous holiday 25–31 days

Coaching & mentoring

Health & wellbeing support

Armed Forces Covenant

Retail discounts

Discounted gym memberships

Sustainable travel benefits

Volunteer days

Job summary

Southampton City Council is recruiting a Young People’s Practitioner (Grade 8) to join the Missing Team on a permanent basis. The role supports children and young people reported missing, conducts Return Home Interviews, and works with police and partner agencies to safeguard and plan services.

The post requires calm, empathetic and resilient individuals who can build relationships with young people, families and professionals while delivering practical help to reduce risk.

Responsibilities

• Supporting police and partner agencies when children are missing, including unallocated children where required.
• Completing Return Home Interviews to understand missing episodes, risks and required supports.
• Sharing concerns and information with professionals to aid safeguarding planning.
• Supporting teams where children are missing regularly, including attending strategy discussions and meetings.
• Acting as a central point of knowledge across teams regarding missing children and themes.
• Collaborating with local transport networks and partner agencies to respond to missing children.
• Offering short-term support to unallocated children when capacity allows, to reduce risk.
• Supporting peer mapping exercises for children of concern.
• Attending events organized by police and external agencies to raise awareness of missing children.
• Working with other local authorities when children are missing outside Southampton.

Job description

Southampton City Council is recruiting a Young People’s Practitioner (Grade 8) to join the Missing Team on a permanent basis. The role supports children and young people reported missing, conducts Return Home Interviews, and works with police and partner agencies to safeguard and plan services.

The post requires calm, empathetic and resilient individuals who can build relationships with young people, families and professionals while delivering practical help to reduce risk.