Youth Diversion Practitioner (5944)

Annual:£29,855
Location:Children's Society East, United Kingdom
Group:
Vacancy type:permanent with funding
Closing date:30 November 2025

Permanent with funding until August 2026

Salary: £29,855 per annum

Hours: 35 hours

This role is based in Chelmsford with Essex wide travel

We are looking for an experienced young people's practitioner. You will be confident in your work with young people and join our dynamic, ambitious team.

Youth Diversion sits within the Children's Society East. The Youth Diversion practitioner will offer a community-based assertive outreach Programme focused on early intervention and targeted prevention for those young people identified as most at risk of becoming involved in substance use.

This role links with our Essex Young People’s Drug and Alcohol Service (EYPDAS) . EYPDAS work with young people aged up to 25 years old who require support for substance or alcohol use. We neither condone nor condemn use but support young people on a voluntary basis to create a care plan that suits their needs and motivations. EYPDAS sits within the established All Age Recovery Co-ordination Service (AARCS), which we deliver in partnership with Open Road, supporting young people, adults and families affected by substance misuse.

In order to be successful with this role, you will need to be able to demonstrate that you have extensive experience of: -

Delivering direct interventions with vulnerable young people (8-25) on both a one to one and group work capacity. As well as working to support the family network.

Co-producing care and safety plans with young people that are young people led, focusing on both a relational & strength-based approach.

Extensive partnership working in a multi-agency environment to ensure that the needs and wishes of the young person are heard and acted upon.

You will work as part of a team and need to be able to work in a flexible way which includes flexing their day and work location as need indicates, including being based in the locality office in Chelmsford and working in the home environment to increase convenience and accessibility

You will need to demonstrate that you have:

A relevant professional qualification working with vulnerable children and families is desired e.g., Diploma/degree in social work, counselling qualification, professional youth worker or related NVQ or degree. Or Substantial relevant experience of working with vulnerable young people facing significant challenges within this sector.
Experience of working with vulnerable young people and families that are hard to reach and from diverse backgrounds on both a one-to-one basis and through group work interventions.
Experience of supporting adolescents who are dealing with complex and sensitive issues through offering advice and advocacy.
Experience of partnership and multi-agency working.
Experience of working on one’s own and within a team.
Experience of using IT based case management systems.
Access to a car and able to drive

The Children’s Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children’s lives happier and safer.

Every day we’re changing the lives of children in this country for the better – and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.

The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, which includes the disclosure of criminal records, vetting checks, and the provision of appropriate references. The number and type of references required may vary depending on the nature and responsibilities of the role, ensuring that each appointment is carefully assessed. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.

The closing date for applications is midnight on 30th November.

Interviews will be held on 8th December.

IN1

Annual:£29,855
Location:Children's Society East, United Kingdom
Group:
Vacancy type:permanent with funding
Closing date:30 November 2025