Practitioner (Secure Accommodation)

The Methodist Church in Britain; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive induction programme

Significant training, supervision and

Generous annual leave above statutory

Local government pension scheme

Market Factor Supplement of £2,460 per

Extra £0.33/hour after 8pm on weekdays

Extra £0.50/hour for weekend working

Sleep-in duties opportunities

Job summary

Nottinghamshire County Council's secure unit seeks a Practitioner to provide day-to-day care and build trust with young people who may be hard to engage. The role involves leading shifts, delivering activities, completing paperwork, and attending reviews in a three-week rota including evenings, weekends, and bank holidays.

Full training is provided and visa sponsorship is not offered. The post requires strong communication, resilience, and the ability to maintain boundaries, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in social care, youth work or a related field.
• Experience working with vulnerable or at-risk young people in residential care or a similar setting.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day care and support to young people in the home
• Build positive relationships with young people, including those who are hard to engage
• Support structured routines and create a safe, respectful environment
• Deliver purposeful activities and one-to-one key work sessions
• Lead shifts, completing relevant paperwork and ensuring activities are delivered
• Advocate for young people's needs and wellbeing
• Write reports and attend meetings and reviews
• Support young people to build confidence, resilience and life skills

Skills

Communication with young people

Resilience & empathy

Boundary setting

IT skills

Team collaboration

Creative engagement

Education

Relevant qualification in social care, youth work or a related field

Job description

This Practitioner post sits at Clayfields House Secure Unit in Stapleford, a secure children's home run by Nottinghamshire County Council. Core work is day-to-day care, key work and building trust with young people who are hard to engage, plus leading shifts and writing reports. A three-week rota covering evenings, weekends and bank holidays, with optional sleep-ins, sets it apart. Full training is given, so prior secure-home experience is not required, and visa sponsorship is not offered.

What the job involves

• Provide day-to-day care and support to young people in the home
• Build positive relationships with young people, including those who are hard to engage
• Support structured routines and create a safe, respectful environment
• Deliver purposeful activities and one-to-one key work sessions
• Lead shifts, completing relevant paperwork and ensuring activities are delivered
• Advocate for young people's needs and wellbeing
• Write reports and attend meetings and reviews
• Support young people to build confidence, resilience and life skills

What’s required

Qualifications

• Relevant qualification in social care, youth work or a related field

Experience

• Experience working with vulnerable or at-risk young people in residential care or a similar setting

Skills & knowledge

• Strong communication skills with young people and colleagues
• Working in a challenging environment with resilience and empathy
• Establishing and maintaining appropriate boundaries with young people
• Basic IT skills to manage records and reports
• Working collaboratively within a team
• Creativity in engaging young people in meaningful activities

Other

• Enthusiasm and commitment to helping young people become their best selves
• Resilience and flexibility to adapt to changing situations
• Assertiveness and confidence in approach
• A sense of humour to connect with young people
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn and grow in the role

What’s offered

• Comprehensive induction programme
• Significant training, supervision and development opportunities
• Generous annual leave above statutory entitlement
• Local government pension scheme with 6.5% employer contribution
• Market Factor Supplement of £2,460 per year for full-time staff, pro rata for part-time
• Extra 0.33 an hour for hours worked after 8pm on weekdays
• Extra 0.5 an hour for weekend working
• Opportunities for sleep-in duties