Missing From Home Worker

Salary £29,071-£33,119 , Per annum

Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week

Are you passionate about making a difference to the lives of vulnerable children and young people? Do you have the confidence to build meaningful relationships, identify risks, and help young people feel safe and supported?

We're looking for a dedicated and compassionate Missing from Home Worker to join our Children's Services team in Lancashire. This is a rewarding opportunity to work directly with children and young people who have been reported missing from home, helping them share their experiences, understand the factors influencing their behaviour, and access the support they need to stay safe.

As a Missing from Home Worker, you will play a vital role in safeguarding some of Lancashire's most vulnerable children and young people. Working both independently and as part of a multi‑agency team, you will undertake Return Home Interviews with children following missing episodes, ensuring their voices are heard and their experiences inform future planning and support.

You'll meet children and young people in their homes and communities, using a relationship-based approach to build trust, explore concerns, identify risks and protective factors, and make recommendations that improve outcomes. Your work will directly contribute to safeguarding children from harm, building resilience, and helping them achieve their full potential.

This is a fast-paced and varied role where no two days are the same. You'll need to be organised, analytical, and able to work within clear timescales, completing key interventions within 72 hours of allocation.

• Carrying out Return Home Interviews with children and young people following missing episodes.
• Building positive, trusting relationships that encourage children and young people to share their experiences.
• Identifying risks, strengths, and the push and pull factors influencing missing behaviour.
• Producing high-quality assessments, reports, and case recordings.
• Working collaboratively with families, carers, schools, social workers, police, health services and other partner agencies.
• Supporting children, young people and families to access services and opportunities that meet their needs.
• Planning and delivering group work programmes for parents and carers.
• Advocating for children and young people, ensuring their views influence decisions that affect them.
• Challenging barriers, discrimination and poor practice to promote positive outcomes.

We're seeking someone who:

• Is passionate about improving outcomes for children and young people.
• Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Can work independently, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• Is confident assessing risk and analysing complex information.
• Values partnership working and understands the importance of multi-agency collaboration.
• Is creative, resilient and committed to child-centred practice.
• Champions diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.

At Lancashire Children's Services, our vision is simple:

By joining our team, you'll have the opportunity to make a genuine difference every day, helping children and young people:

• Stay safe from harm and build resilience.
• Have their voices heard.
• Access the right support at the right time.
• Enjoy healthier, happier lives.
• Achieve positive futures within their communities.

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