Youth Practitioner - Children Who Are Disabled (Level 1)

Dorset Council; Weymouth; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in the UK is seeking dedicated Youth Practitioners to support children with disabilities in Weymouth. The role involves caring interactions, day-to-day support for children, and collaboration with professionals. Ideal candidates are motivated and have an understanding of neurodiversity. This full-time position offers extensive training, benefits, and a supportive work environment emphasizing community service.

Benefits

Level 4 Certificate in Therapeutic Care

Access to employee benefits

LGPS pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experience or understanding of neurodiversity, including ADHD and Autism.
• Ability to form connections with children and young people.
• Willingness to achieve skills and knowledge to improve care practices.

Responsibilities

• Support children in daily tasks such as cooking and personal care.
• Organise and participate in daily activities.
• Write and update care plans, risk assessments, and behavior support plans.

Skills

Caring

Motivated

Enthusiastic

Creativity in problem-solving

Resilience

Job description

Overview

We are expanding our CWAD (Children who are disabled) Residential Services in Dorset with an Outreach Service, initially based in Weymouth. The service will cover outreach support in the community throughout Dorset for children who have or are experiencing learning or physical difficulties. You will provide interventions to prevent children entering residential care, support stability within their homes, and enable access to full and meaningful day-to-day experiences in the community. This role also involves working within our CWAD Residential Homes to support children who live there.

We are looking for caring, committed and positive individuals to join our supportive team of Youth Practitioners, working within our residential homes and in the local community to help our children and young people thrive. Experience or understanding of neurodiversity, including ADHD and Autism, would be beneficial, and full training is available to support our young people with confidence.

We offer an extensive induction and training package, including access to a Level 4 Certificate in Therapeutic Care or a Level 3 Qualification depending on circumstance. You will also receive regular supervision and access to employee benefits and the LGPS pension scheme with Dorset Council.

We encourage applicants to visit us to gain a better sense of who we are, what the job involves, and to ask questions.

What You Will Be Doing

Youth practitioners will be positive role models for our young people and will have working knowledge of safeguarding practices, PACE and therapeutic approaches. Experience or working knowledge of how neurodiversity can impact individuals would be beneficial; full training is available to support our young people with confidence. You will be resilient, reflective and professionally curious about our young people’s lives and journeys. You will nurture our children and young people professionally and be passionate and aspirational in your support and care.

You will support children and young people, encouraging their independence in tasks such as cooking and personal care skills. You will organise and join in daily activities, liaise with the wider group of professionals such as education, health and social care. You will become a member of our supportive team as well as work independently when required.

You will be involved in writing and updating care plans, risk assessments and behaviour support plans, and think of creative ways to help children make their own choices, flourish, have fun and develop life skills.

This role is offered on a full-time permanent basis. Residential shifts will include weekends and bank holidays on a rota basis as we are a 24-hour service; we welcome discussions around rota flexibility. Additional allowances are payable for sleep-in duties, weekends and bank holidays.

About You

We are looking for individuals who:

• Are caring, motivated, fun and enthusiastic.
• Are passionate and thoughtful about the care you provide and the opportunities you create.
• Have the confidence to form connections with children and young people and develop positive relationships with them.
• Can learn and use different approaches to care and follow individual care plans and safeguarding procedures.
• Are curious about barriers for our young people and think creatively to find solutions to overcome them.
• Are willing to achieve the skills and knowledge to develop your practice.
• Are keen to improve the lives and opportunities of children and young people who are disabled and their families.
• Can demonstrate resilience within your role and work effectively with your team.

Further information: This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or suitable transport) available for use as needed. This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them and will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders. See our policy on safeguarding children and young people. The Friends and Family referral scheme applies to this post. If an employee recommended this post, mention them on your application form. Employees can share this advert by using the button links alongside the job title.

About Us

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

• Provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents
• Work in partnership to make a real difference
• Value every role and the impact it has on our communities
• Support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive

You Will

• Be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
• Have access to a range of benefits and support
• Have access to a range of training opportunities to aid personal development and career progression

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. If you need any reasonable adjustments, please let us know on your application. This role is UK-based and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement. If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.