Missing From Home Worker

Lancashire County Council; Lancashire; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable children and young people.
• Ability to build trusted relationships and assess risks.
• Ability to work within clear timescales and meet 72-hour interventions.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out Return Home Interviews with children following missing episodes.
• Building positive, trusting relationships that encourage sharing of experiences.
• Identifying risks, strengths and factors influencing missing behaviour.
• Producing high-quality assessments, reports and case recordings.
• Working with families, carers, schools, social workers, police, health services and partners.
• Supporting children and families to access services and opportunities.

Job description

Job Description

| Salary £29,071-£33,119 , Per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week |

Missing from Home Worker

Full Time permanent role within the North covering the areas, Lancaster, Morecambe, Fylde and Wyre

Help Young People Be Heard, Protected and Supported

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people? Do you have the confidence to build meaningful relationships, identify risks, and help young people feel safe and supported?

We're looking for a dedicated and compassionate Missing from Home Worker to join our Children's Services team in Lancashire. This is a rewarding opportunity to work directly with children and young people who have been reported missing from home, helping them share their experiences, understand the factors influencing their behaviour, and access the support they need to stay safe.

About The Role

As a Missing from Home Worker, you will play a vital role in safeguarding some of Lancashire's most vulnerable children and young people. Working both independently and as part of a multi-agency team, you will undertake Return Home Interviews with children following missing episodes, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences inform future planning and support.

You'll meet children and young people in their homes and communities, using a relationship-based approach to build trust, explore concerns, identify risks and protective factors, and make recommendations that improve outcomes. Your work will directly contribute to safeguarding children from harm, building resilience, and helping them achieve their full potential.

This is a fast-paced and varied role where no two days are the same. You'll need to be organised, analytical, and able to work within clear timescales, completing key interventions within 72 hours of allocation.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Carrying out Return Home Interviews with children and young people following missing episodes.
• Building positive, trusting relationships that encourage children and young people to share their experiences.
• Identifying risks, strengths, and the push and pull factors influencing missing behaviour.
• Producing high-quality assessments, reports, and case recordings.
• Working collaboratively with families, carers, schools, social workers, police, health services and other partner agencies.
• Supporting children, young people and families to access services and opportunities that meet their needs.
• Planning and delivering group work programmes for parents and carers.
• Advocating for children and young people, ensuring their views influence decisions that affect them.
• Challenging barriers, discrimination and poor practice to promote positive outcomes.

What We're Looking For

• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Can work independently, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Is confident assessing risk and analysing complex information.
• Values partnership working and understands the importance of multi-agency collaboration.
• Is creative, resilient and committed to child-centred practice.
• Champions diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.

Why Join Us?

At Lancashire Children's Services, our vision is simple:

Children, young people and their families are safe, healthy and achieve their full potential.

By joining our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day, helping children and young people:

• Stay safe from harm and build resilience.
• Have their voices heard.
• Access the right support at the right time.
• Enjoy healthier, happier lives.

Additional Information

• This is an essential car user role.
• Some evening work may occasionally be required.
• The role is managed by the Team Manager and supported by a Senior Social Worker within a highly committed and experienced team

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013) . If successful you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

You will be required to provide a car for use in connection with the duties of this post and must be insured for business use. However, we may consider you if you cannot drive because of a disability.

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website. We reserve the right to close down a vacancy early, before the closing date, if we receive sufficient applications.

Local Government Reorganisation

The Government has confirmed that local government across Lancashire will be reorganised, with the current 15 councils being replaced by four new unitary councils covering North, South, East and West Lancashire from April 2028.

If you are successful in your application, you will initially join Lancashire County Council. However, as part of the planned transition, your employment will transfer to one of the new unitary councils from April 2028, subject to the implementation of the reorganisation and relevant employment legislation.

Throughout this period, our focus remains on delivering excellent services to our communities. By joining us now, you'll play an important role in shaping the future of local government and helping to build a strong new organisation that will serve residents for years to come.