Youth Support Worker

Dorset Council; Sturminster Newton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in England is seeking a dedicated youth worker to deliver targeted youth services aimed at vulnerable young individuals. The role involves outreach work, building relationships with various stakeholders, and contributing to innovative programs that support young people's development. Applicants should have a Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work and relevant experience in engaging with youth communities. Join a supportive team dedicated to fostering positive change and making an impact in the lives of young people.

Benefits

Access to training opportunities

Employee benefits

Supportive work environment

Qualifications

• Experience working with vulnerable young people in youth settings.
• Knowledge of best practices and effective interventions.
• Understanding of contextual safeguarding and exploitation.

Responsibilities

• Undertake 1:1 and group outreach work.
• Advocate for young people and foster positive relationships with stakeholders.
• Collaborate with colleagues to support edge of care initiatives.

Skills

Excellent communication and listening skills

Ability to build trusting relationships

Initiative and motivation

Patience and resilience

Education

QCF Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work

Job description

North Dorset Locality

North Dorset Locality

What You Can Expect To Be Doing

This role will be responsible for the delivery of a targeted youth offer in localities, working alongside others, and particularly focused on the most vulnerable young people. This post requires significant travel across areas of North Dorset including Blandford, Sturminster Newton, Gillingham, Shaftesbury and Sherborne.

The Post Holder Will

• Undertake 1:1, group, detached and outreach work with young people
• Be an advocate for young people, supporting colleagues to understand adolescence, and how to engage with young people
• Work collectively with colleagues across all localities to support the development of our approach to edge of care and residential services
• Develop strong, positive working relationships with a range of colleagues, schools, voluntary and community sector organisations and partner agencies to support the delivery of good outcomes for young people and their families and support continuous development

About You

The postholder will have a QCF Level 3 Diploma in Youth work or equivalent and have experience of youth work in a youth work setting.

You’ll be aware of best practice and effective interventions, including evidence-based programmes in working with vulnerable young people and contextual safeguarding and be able to provide advice around vulnerable young people within the locality on issues such as (but not limited to)

• Contextual safeguarding, exploitation, county lines
• Anti-social behaviour
• Inclusion and participation in education
• Social action

Requirements

• Excellent communication and listening skills
• Ability to build trusting and respectful relationships
• Initiative, enthusiasm and motivation
• Tact and sensitivity
• Patience and resilience
• A non-judgemental attitude
• Good organisational and planning skills
• Good negotiating skills

What’s In It For You

Are you seeking a rewarding career in Children’s Services? Be part of designing social work for the future.

Join our exceptional teams in children’s services, where you’ll be fully supported and appreciated throughout your career - whether you’re newly qualified, or an experienced practitioner.

In Dorset, we are dedicated to fostering an environment where every child can thrive, and we want our colleagues to do the same.

At the heart of our program is a commitment to support outcomes that matter – fostering environments where children, young people, and families not only stay together but thrive. We’re dedicated to providing the essential help they need, ensuring they are surrounded by the support of their family network, and creating safe spaces both inside and outside their homes.

What sets us apart is our unwavering dedication to ensuring children in care and care leavers find stable, loving homes. This isn’t just a job; it’s a chance to make a lasting impact on the future of those who need it most.

We take immense pride in leading the way nationally, pioneering ground-breaking initiatives that have garnered recognition from the government. Join a team of dedicated professionals in Children’s Services who, in recent months and years, have set new standards in their commitment to the well-being of children and families.

Here at Dorset Council, you won’t just be an employee – you’ll be a vital contributor to a legacy of positive change. Be a part of a community that values your skills, appreciates your passion, and recognises the difference you can make. Join us in creating a brighter future for children, young people, and families. Your journey towards meaningful work starts here.

Education

In July this year, the Department for Education officially announced the Families First for Children Pathfinder. Dorset has been recognised for the fantastic work with children, young people and families taking place by being selected to be one of only three initial pathfinder sites nationally, testing the delivery of key reforms across the sector. This is a fantastic opportunity and comes with central government grant funding and support which recognises the scale and ambition of the work we need to carry out. Find out more here.

Our focus is on supporting families to meet the needs of their children and keeping children at home where it is safe to do so. You’ll find a variety of exciting challenges, working with our children, families, and partners, in a workplace that inspires you to grow professionally and personally.

As part of our model, we have developed multi-agency locality teams bringing together colleagues from across Family Help, Child Protection Teams, Educational Psychology, SEND and Inclusion services under the leadership of Heads of Locality and Strategy.

We Also Have Truly Exciting Initiatives

• The Pineapple Project that provides safe havens in Weymouth to help to keep young women safer when they are outside of their family home using the principles of community guardianship. The Pineapple Project is due to be rolled out across all localities.
• Safeguarding Families Together; embedding specialist multi-disciplinary professionals within teams and working ‘whole family’. After successful pilots in Weymouth, Portland and Dorchester the project is due to be rolled out across all localities.
• In the East of the county, the first Three family hubs (with more locations planned) provide visible, appealing and welcoming spaces for families to access help and support from Dorset Council and partner services.

What Our People Say

"Dorset is a great place for children to thrive - I am very proud to be part of an organisation that recognises the strengths of our staff and the creativity we have in achieving great outcomes for our children, young people and families."

"It was great to feel listened to about the big issues and developments within Children’s Services"

"I am proud of the service I work in for their commitment to children and young people, working hard to collaborate with colleagues and agencies to achieve good outcomes."

Further Information

• Samuel Lawrence (Assistant Team Manager - Contextual Safeguarding, North Dorset Locality) on 01305 225714 or email [e-mail]

About Us

We’re passionate about making Dorset a great place to live, work and visit. Working for us should be no exception.

At Dorset Council We

• Provide more than 450 services to over 300,000 residents
• Have ambitious aspirations
• Are excited about our future
• Care about Dorset and all the people who live here
• Know that all roles make a difference and that our employees are key to our success

You Will

• Have access to a range of employee benefits
• Be part of an organisation that supports each other to grow and succeed
• Have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

We are challenging ourselves to become a more diverse and inclusive organisation. We recognise that recruitment and inclusion of individuals with diverse skills, perspectives and backgrounds will bring real strength to the council and our communities. We have a commitment to equality and welcome applications from everyone.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. We offer an interview to everyone who declares a disability and meets the essential criteria for the role. We are keen to make our interviews accessible. Let us know on your job application if you have a disability and need any reasonable adjustments.

We also look for applicants who share our commitment to our values. We will ask you to evidence when you have demonstrated them as part of the selection process.

This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.

We use generic job descriptions and person specifications. This means the job title on any attachments may differ from the job title in the advert. We may provide specific information in a context statement if relevant.