Youth Support Practitioner

Headturner Search; Oxford; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 38,000; Full time

Job summary

Headturner Search is seeking an Outreach & Safeguarding Practitioner to support children and young people affected by substance use across Oxfordshire. The role focuses on early intervention, outreach, and safeguarding within schools, family centres, and community settings.

You will manage a caseload across Central Oxfordshire, collaborating with schools, social care and health partners, applying motivational interviewing and trauma-informed approaches, and maintaining detailed case records to

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable children and young people in safeguarding or youth outreach contexts.
• Strong understanding of child protection processes.
• Ability to engage hard-to-reach groups and build trust.
• Ability to work independently in the community and with professionals from a range of services.
• Knowledge of motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice and harm reduction.

Responsibilities

• Deliver outreach and early intervention support for vulnerable CYP affected by their own or others' substance use.
• Conduct safeguarding-focused assessments, risk management, and care planning.
• Provide trauma-informed 1:1 and group interventions based on need, complexity, and substance of choice.
• Work in partnership with schools, social care, youth services, health providers, and community organisations to ensure a multi-agency approach.
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, escalating appropriately in line with local safeguarding procedures.
• Provide support to build resilience and protective factors for CYP and families impacted by parental or household substance use.
• Maintain accurate, timely case records and contribute to service reporting and outcomes.

Skills

Safeguarding experience

Outreach with CYP

Motivational interviewing

Trauma-informed practice

Multi-agency collaboration

Case management

Job description

A fantastic opportunity has opened up for a skilled and compassionate Outreach & Safeguarding Practitioner to join a newly developed service supporting children and young people affected by substance use across Oxfordshire.

Role Overview:

This role focuses on early intervention, outreach, and safeguarding support for children and young people (CYP) who are either using substances or living in households affected by drug and alcohol use.

You will manage a caseload of CYP across Central Oxfordshire, working flexibly in schools, colleges, family centres, and community settings—providing support in environments where young people feel safe and able to engage.

Key Responsibilities:

• Deliver outreach and early intervention support for vulnerable CYP affected by their own or others' substance use.
• Conduct safeguarding-focused assessments, risk management, and care planning.
• Provide trauma-informed 1:1 and group interventions based on need, complexity, and substance of choice.
• Work in partnership with schools, social care, youth services, health providers, and community organisations to ensure a multi-agency approach.
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns, escalating appropriately in line with local safeguarding procedures.
• Provide support to build resilience and protective factors for CYP and families impacted by parental or household substance use.
• Maintain accurate, timely case records and contribute to service reporting and outcomes.

What We're Looking For:

• Experience working with vulnerable children and young people in a safeguarding, substance use, or youth outreach setting.
• Strong understanding of child protection and safeguarding processes.
• Skilled in engaging hard-to-reach groups and building trusting relationships.
• Ability to work independently in the community and collaboratively with professionals from a range of services.
• Knowledge of evidence-based approaches such as motivational interviewing, trauma-informed practice, and harm reduction.

This is an ideal role for someone passionate about making a real difference in young people's lives, with a strong safeguarding mindset and a commitment to outreach and inclusion