Youth Worker (North / West)

Oxfordshire County Council; Packmoor; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government council in Packmoor is seeking a passionate Youth Worker to support young people facing challenges. The role involves delivering tailored, relationship-based support and working collaboratively with various partners. Candidates should ideally have experience with adolescents and relevant qualifications. The council values diversity and inclusion, offering flexible work opportunities and commitment to safeguarding. Join a dedicated team aiming to make a difference in young people's lives.

Benefits

Supportive team environment

Learning and development opportunities

Occasional flexibility in work hours

Qualifications

• Experience working with adolescents facing complex challenges.
• Ability to build rapport quickly with young people.
• Understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and trauma-informed practice.

Responsibilities

• Deliver relationship-based support to young people.
• Undertake assessments and develop tailored support plans.
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns appropriately.

Skills

Experience working with adolescents

Communication skills

Confidence and resilience

Understanding of safeguarding

Collaborative working

Ability to work flexibly

Education

Relevant qualification in youth work, social care, education, or health

Job description

We believe in relationships that make a difference and creating the space for young people to feel seen, heard, and supported. If you’re passionate about supporting young people, this is where you belong.

The Targeted Youth Support Service (TYSS) works with young people aged 11‑18 who are experiencing a range of vulnerabilities, including risk of exploitation, involvement in crime or anti‑social behaviour, family breakdown, missing episodes, or challenges around emotional wellbeing. Our aim is to build trusting relationships, reduce risk, and help young people make safe and positive decisions for their future.

Main duties of the job

As a Youth Worker in our Targeted Youth Support Service, you’ll play a key role in delivering, relationship‑based support to young people who need it most. Working one‑to‑one and in small groups, you’ll help young people build confidence, strengthen protective factors, improve resilience, and stay engaged in education, training, and community life.

• Hold a caseload of young people requiring targeted interventions
• Undertake assessments and develop tailored support plans
• Build strong, consistent relationships with young people and their families
• Work collaboratively with schools, social care, health, police, voluntary sector partners and others
• Provide detached youth work in the communities
• Identify and respond to safeguarding concerns appropriately
• Keep accurate, timely records and contribute to multi‑agency plans

About us

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience working with adolescents facing complex challenges
• Is confident, resilient, and able to de‑emphasise difficult situations
• Builds rapport quickly and communicates well with young people
• Understands safeguarding, risk management, and trauma‑informed practice
• Is confident working collaboratively across services
• Works well both independently and as part of a supportive team
• Is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusive practice
• Can work flexible hours, including occasional evenings or weekends

A relevant qualification in youth work, social care, education, health, or a related field is desirable, but equivalent experience will also be considered.

Rewards and benefits

• A supportive, skilled and passionate team
• Regular supervision and reflective practice
• Learning and development opportunities
• Opportunities to innovate and shape youth support across Oxfordshire

Our commitment to: Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

Our commitment to: Guaranteed Interview Schemes

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Our commitment to: Safeguarding

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

Our commitment to: Flexible Working

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi‑time, part time working, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

Person Specification

General Requirements

• Please refer to job description above
• Please refer to job description above

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.