Children & Young People’s Practitioner

Service The Wish Centre
Job Title Children & Young People’s Practitioner
Salary £26,798.31
Hours of Work Full Time
Contract Fixed Term Maternity Cover to 30rg June 2027
Reports to Programme Manager
Main duties To support, protect and promote the rights of children and young people who have
witnessed or been subject to domestic abuse. To empower and enable young people
to have a voice by providing information, advice, support and advocacy.
To deliver group programmes and individual 1:1 work with young people in
community venues and in educational settings. This role will require evening work
as well as traveling across Blackburn and Darwen Lancashire.
Operating The Wish Centre works to a number of principles & values when providing
Principles effective, personalised interventions for its service users, our overarching values
are We Listen, We Support, We Empower. These principles apply to all roles at The
Wish Centre .
The Wish Centre has been delivering quality services to victims in the Blackburn &
Darwen area for over 30 years. We provide specialist services to residents of the
borough and support victims and their families to live lives free from abuse.
Our programmes work is also delivered across Lancashire.
Key Activities • Deliver group and 1:1 programs to children and young people.
• Liaise with appropriate services and act as a point of contact.
• Provide assertive engagement using a trauma-informed approach, including
assessing Adverse Childhood Experiences.
• Work in partnership with other agencies and professionals.
• Make proactive contact with young people within service procedures'
timescales.
• Listen to young people to identify their concerns.
• Risk-assess and respond to the needs of young people living with
perpetrators, ensuring safety plans are in place.
• Ensure young people receive the services to which they are entitled.
• Provide or facilitate advocacy for young people seeking help from other
agencies.
• Help young people develop their own support network.
• Support young people on a 1-1 or group basis to develop confidence,
emotional well-being, and understand domestic abuse dynamics.
• Keep relevant agencies informed about important changes in young
people's situations, especially regarding safeguarding.
• Work closely with schools, children’s social care, and IDVA services.
• Manage own caseload by maintaining accurate records, monitoring
outcomes, and proactively supporting service provision.

• Produce regular reports highlighting work areas, case studies, concerns, and
outcomes.
• Plan and deliver training and awareness sessions to multi-agency teams
with colleagues.
• Understand the legal framework for child protection, including CSAP
policies and procedures.
• Attend domestic abuse and multi-agency meetings, providing feedback to
team members and the service manager.
• Participate in regular training opportunities.
• Uphold best safeguarding practices for children and adults at risk.
• Work as part of a team, providing cover for colleagues when necessary.
• Support established risk assessment frameworks in assessing and managing
risk.
General terms In carrying out the above duties the post holder will:
of reference: • Participate in appraisal, supervision and Learning & Development processes.
• Keep abreast of developments in services, legislation and practice relevant to
the client group.
• Ensure the implementation of all the Wish Centre .
• Contribute to maintaining safe systems of work and a safe environment.
• Work flexibly across operational sites.
• This post requires a UK driving licence and access to a car.
• Seek to improve personal performance, contribution, knowledge and skills.
Essential/
Means of
Selection Criteria Desirable
Assessment
E/D
QUALIFICATIONS:
1. A relevant qualification in domestic abuse, childcare or E A
social care or equivalent experience.
EXPERIENCE:
1. Experience working with children and young people, E A
particularly in a domestic abuse context.
Proven experience in delivering group and 1:1
2. E A/I
programs.
3. Experience in providing advocacy for young people D I
Previous experience working with Independent
4. Domestic Violence Advisers (IDVAs) and multi-agency D I
teams

KNOWLEDGE:

5.  Strong understanding of trauma-informed approaches  E  A
and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Knowledge of child protection and safeguarding
| 6.  |     | E   | A   |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
legislation, policies, and procedures.

7.  Familiarity with the dynamics of domestic abuse and its  E  A
impact on young people
Awareness of the local services available for children
| 8.  |     | D   | A/I  |
| --- | --- | --- | ---- |
and young people affected by domestic abuse.

| 9.  |     | D   | A/I  |
| --- | --- | --- | ---- |
Understanding of the CSAP policies and procedures.
SKILLS & ABILITIES
| 10.  Excellent communication and listening skills  |     | E   |     |
| -------------------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
Ability to engage assertively and empathetically with
| 11.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
young people.
| 12.  Strong risk assessment and management skills.  |     | E   |     |
| --------------------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
Ability to work effectively in partnership with a range of
| 13.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
agencies and professionals.
Proficient in managing a caseload and maintaining
| 14.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
accurate records.
Competent in producing comprehensive reports and
| 15.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
documentation.
Training and presentation skills for delivering
| 16.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
awareness sessions.
Proficiency in using IT systems, word processing, and
| 17.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
communication tools
Experience in developing and facilitating support
| 18.  |     | D   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
networks for young people.
19.  Strong networking and relationship-building skills.  D
PERSONAL QUALITIES
| 20.  Highly organized and proactive.  |     | E   |     |
| ------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the
| 21.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
welfare of children and young people.
22.  Ability to work independently and as part of a team.  E
| 23.  Flexible and adaptable approach to work.  |     | E   |     |
| ---------------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |
|                                                |     |     |     |

Resilient and able to manage stressful situations
| 24.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
effectively.
Be compassionate and empathetic with your client’s
| 25.  situation.   |     | E   |     |
| ----------------- | --- | --- | --- |

26.  Innovative and creative in approach to problem-solving.  D

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to attend and participate in multi-agency
| 27.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
meetings
Willingness to undertake any other duties within the
| 28.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
role's context as requested by management.
Participation in regular training opportunities to
| 29.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
enhance knowledge and skills.
Ability to work flexibly, from multiple locations across
| 30.  |     | E   |     |
| ---- | --- | --- | --- |
the borough
| 31.  Full UK Driving License and access to a car  |     | E   |     |
| ------------------------------------------------- | --- | --- | --- |

This post is subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check at an enhanced level. Amendments:
This description accurately reflects the present position; it may be amended and reviewed.  Any
change will be made following a proper period of consultation.

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