Youth Social Prescriber

Cityfamily; Southend-on-Sea; On-site; GBP 23,662 - 28,921; Part time

Job summary

A community welfare organization in Southend-on-Sea is seeking part-time Youth Social Prescribers to work with young people aged 10-16. The role involves building relationships, creating wellbeing plans, and connecting youth with community activities to enhance educational re-engagement. Ideal candidates will have experience working with children and understanding safeguarding procedures. This position offers the opportunity to impact mental health positively and promote community involvement.

Qualifications

• Proven experience working with a range of stakeholders.
• Experience working directly with children/young people aged 8–16.
• Sound understanding of safeguarding procedures.

Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with children and young people.
• Co-produce personalised wellbeing and re-engagement plans.
• Link children and young people to appropriate community activities.

Skills

Ability to work with parents/carers and extended family members

Good IT skills including use of Microsoft Word, Office, internet, and email

Strong communication skills

Ability to work as part of a team

Education

A Level/BTEC in Health, youth/family work, or Early Years

Level 1 Safeguarding

Job description

Want to be part of something new, community-driven and impactful?

We are looking for part-time Youth Social Prescribers to deliver a brand-new early help model for young people aged 10‑16. This is a unique opportunity to help shape and deliver a project focused on prevention, mental wellbeing, and re‑engagement with education — working 1:1 with young people and their families, co‑producing support plans, and connecting them to meaningful community activities.

• Salary: £26,292 (FTE) actual subject to hours agreed
• Hours: Part time, to be agreed. Minimum 16 hours per week
• Working Pattern: TBC (Monday to Friday, with evening work included and occasional Saturdays, although Fixed Saturday mornings could be an option if preferred)

About the Role

This role will pilot a new early help pathway for children and young people aged 10–16 experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). The Youth Social Prescriber/Navigator will work 1:1 with young people and their families for up to 6 weeks, co‑producing wellbeing and reintegration plans and linking them with local community activities and support that improve emotional health, confidence, and school re‑engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Build trusting relationships with children and young people and their families to explore goals and barriers
• Co‑produce personalised wellbeing and re‑engagement plans
• Link CYP to appropriate community activities (e.g. sports, arts, mentoring, volunteering)
• Co‑facilitate small group sessions with children and young people
• Refer and signpost to other City Family services and those provided by other organisations
• Promote positive mental health, confidence, and physical activity
• Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified and responded to using City Family procedures
• Work closely with schools, VCSEs, and health partners to support holistic engagement
• Maintain accurate case notes, progress reports, and feedback
• Contribute to data collection using validated wellbeing tools (e.g. Outcomes Star, WEMWBS)
• Support occasional co‑design workshops and pilot evaluation activity
• Attend supervision, team meetings, and training as required

What You'll Need

Experience

• Sound understanding of safeguarding procedures
• Proven experience working with a range of stakeholders
• Experience of recording, monitoring data and retrieving information
• Experience working directly with children/young people aged 8–16, and particularly those with SEND/Neurodiversity
• Familiarity with Southend or similar communities (desirable)

Knowledge and Qualifications

• A Level/BTEC educated or equivalent in Health, youth/family work or Early Years, with demonstrable, current, relevant experience and CPD
• Level 1 Safeguarding
• Understanding of EBSA, school non‑attendance, neurodiversity or adolescent mental health

Skills and Abilities (all essential)

• Ability to work with parents/carers and extended family members
• Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
• Good IT skills including use of Microsoft Word, Office, internet and email
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, and strong communication skills to remove any barriers to access

Additional

• Ability to travel across South Essex, with full, clean driver’s licence and access to a vehicle
• Ability to work at least one later evening (up to 7pm)
• Occasional Saturdays

City Family CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedure to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and does require a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them.

City Family CIC's vision is to bridge and tackle the disparities that impact happy healthy childhoods. Our mission is to break down barriers to opportunity and empower families to raise happy, healthy children.