About the role
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 and weekend work including sleep-ins for which there is an allowance, as well as 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.
What you will be doing
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. 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. 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 that 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.
About you
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.
* Problem-solving skills.
* Skilled in forming and maintaining relationships with young people.
* Good communication, interpersonal, and advocacy skills.
* Understanding of key childcare legislation.
* Team working skills.
* Skills in inter-agency collaboration.
* Effective IT skills to use the recording systems.
* Willingness to undertake training.
* Be an excellent role model for children and young people.
Further Information
This is a zero-hour role.
This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.
This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check.
About Us
Dorset Council: A great place to work
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 a range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression.
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 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.
This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.
#J-18808-Ljbffr