Young Person's Practitioner At Southampton City Council, we are dedicated to preventing young people from becoming involved in violence. Through our new Future Directions project, we will provide high support to young people at the highest risk of serious harm and violence, offering an alternative pathway away from violence. The project is part of a Focused Deterrence approach which will involve co-developing plans with young people to ensure their voices are heard and their futures are shaped in positive, safe directions whilst working alongside Police colleagues who will ensure fair and proportionate responses to offending. We are now looking for two passionate and committed Young Person’s Practitioners to join the Future Directions project within our Contextual Safeguarding team. In the role, you will work directly with young people at the highest risk of serious harm and violence, while collaborating with a range of partners, including dedicated colleagues from Hampshire Police, who will be co-located with the team at least twice a week. You will also work alongside the multi-disciplinary Contextual Safeguarding practitioners focused on increasing safety in peer groups, places, and schools. About the role: As a Young Person Practitioner in the Future Directions project, you will engage with young people aged 11-18 who are at the highest risk of involvement in serious harm and violence, building trusted relationships over a 12-month period. You will co-develop personalised support plans with the young people, providing them with the tools and support to reduce violence and build safer, more positive futures. This role involves close collaboration with our Contextual Safeguarding team, focusing on the broader social and environmental factors contributing to violence. You will work in partnership with police colleagues and other professionals to ensure that young people receive a holistic, integrated response to their needs. Key Responsibilities: Engagement: Build and maintain trusting relationships with young people, including those with additional barriers to engagement. Co-Development of Plans: Work with young people to co-create tailored support plans that address their specific needs and aspirations, focusing on reducing involvement in violence. Support Provision: Provide direct and intensive support to young people, connecting them with education, employment, and therapeutic services that will help them make positive changes in their lives. Partnership Working: Collaborate with colleagues from Hampshire Police, who will be co-located with the team at least twice a week, to ensure a coordinated approach to safeguarding and violence prevention. Collaboration: Work alongside other practitioners within the Contextual Safeguarding team, focused on enhancing safety in peer groups, places, and schools, to create a comprehensive network of support for each young person. Advocacy: Reinforce clear messages about the consequences of violence, while maintaining a non-judgmental, supportive approach that prioritises the young person’s needs Monitoring and Reporting: Regularly track and assess progress, adjusting plans as necessary, and ensure accurate documentation in line with organisational and legal requirements. About you: We are keen to hear from practitioners with: Proven experience of supporting young people facing complex challenges, particularly those at risk of involvement in violence. Exceptional ability to build rapport and trust with young people, including those who may struggle to trust professionals. Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate clear, consistent messages about the importance of stopping violence, while maintaining an empathetic, supportive approach. A committed, persistent and tenacious approach in the face of setbacks and challenges, continuously striving to make a positive impact on young people’s lives. Knowledge of contextual safeguarding principles and how broader environmental factors influence young people’s behaviour and safety. Ability to work collaboratively with internal colleagues and external partners, including Hampshire Police, to ensure an integrated and multi-agency approach to safeguarding. Willingness to adapt to the evolving needs of young people and the project, including working flexible hours when agreed necessary. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a new project, piloting an evidence-informed, high-impact rated intervention to safeguard young people from serious violence. As these posts are part of a pilot project, they are initially being funded for 12 months which will be offered as a fixed term contract (for external applicants) or secondment (for internal staff). W hat we can offer you : Here at SCC we have a range of different perks and benefits, a few examples can be found below. A generous local government pension scheme. Flexible working (role dependant). Up to 13 days of Flexi Leave. Hybrid working arrangements (role dependant). 25 days annual leave (pro rata), plus bank holidays. Online Benefits – salary sacrifice schemes, benefits and discounts. Great local transport links. Employee assistance programme with access to our health wellbeing and support. F or further information on our benefits package please visit : Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk) If you feel you have the necessary background, experience, and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you. Contact details for informal discussion: For further information and details regarding the position, please contact Laura Tanner (Contextual Safeguarding Team Manager) laura.tannersouthampton.gov.uk or Anna Harbridge (Service Manager) anna.harbridgesouthampton.gov.uk Recruitment contact details: Email: recruitmentsouthampton.gov.uk Tel: 023 8083 4033 For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council Follow us on social media for regular updates on our featured jobs and latest news. Facebook YouTube