Youth Practitioner; zero

The priorities for our Dorset children are; that they stay in Dorset, which is the best place for them to live, that they are given the best start in life through good care provision and the best education and training opportunities, which enable them to thrive and be the best they can be.

The role of Youth Practitioner is to ensure a safe and nurturing environment in which children and young people can thrive and develop self-reliance in reaching their potential. The work will include some evening, weekend work including sleep‑ins for which there is an allowance and bank holidays. We are a flexible employer and would welcome a discussion around a variety of hours to be mutually agreeable.

The Harbour/College House residential home and outreach service for children and young people who have experienced significant trauma and neglect. College House is a home in Weymouth.

We are looking for caring, committed and positive individuals to join our supportive team of Youth Practitioners, working within the homes and local community supporting our children and young people to thrive.

We will provide you with an extensive induction and training including a level 4 certificate in therapeutic care where required. You will also be given regular supervision and access to some great employee benefits and LGPS pension scheme working for Dorset Council. We encourage applicants to visit us to allow you to get a better sense of who we are, what the job involves and to ask any questions you may have.

At the harbour, we never give up. No matter what, we stick with the child. Our service is designed to wrap around a child’s needs, rather than trying to make them fit around ours. We have an evidence informed approach to risk and we are heavily invested in a supportive working environment, including a whole team development plan above and beyond mandatory requirements.

We have a multi‑agency integrated through co‑location, sharing of learning and tasks. Our children are helped by people who make things happen.  to hear more about the The Harbour on Vimeo.

You will be passionate and aspirational in supporting young people through a variety of activities which will help you build a strong and resilient relationship which will be sustained. Activities will include introducing children and young people to new environments, sports, arts and leisure as well as supporting them in education training and employment and promoting a clean safe and nurturing home environment in which they can develop skills for independence.

You will form positive relationships with our children, young people and families and together, work productively with families, partner agencies and allocated social workers to identify and achieve the best outcomes for our children. You will work to mend relationships and reunify families when appropriate to do so. You will be aspirational in outlook and flexible in delivery, to promote growth, learning and responsibility.

You will be able to work autonomously and as part of a team responding flexibly to dynamic situations. We are aspirational for our staff as well as our children.

You will be joining a supportive and inclusive Council who will provide nurture and invest in you to enable you to thrive in your job. A comprehensive training programme is available in addition to the mandatory training, to enable your professional growth and development.

You will be a kind and caring person with a passion for improving lives, be aspirational in attitude and resilient and flexible in approach.

• Ability to achieve QCF level 4 Health and social Care or equivalent.
• Numeracy and literacy skills
• Recording and report writing skills.
• Experience and resilience working with children and young people
• Ability to work flexibly across a range of settings
• Experience of direct work with families
• Have problem solving skills
• Be skilled in forming and maintaining relationships with young people
• Have good communication, interpersonal and advocacy skills
• Have an understanding of key childcare legislation
• Have team working skills
• Have skills in inter‑agency collaboration
• Have effective IT skills to use the recording systems
• Be willing to undertake training
• Be an excellent role model for children and young people