At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people aged 11-18 with one-to-one mentoring and group activities.
- Company: Join Action for Children, a dedicated team making a difference in children's lives.
- Benefits: Generous leave, professional training, flexible family packages, and discounts at major retailers.
- Other info: Inclusive environment encouraging diverse applicants to join our mission.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping young people find positive pathways away from crime.
- Qualifications: Experience in social care or youth services, strong communication skills, and a full driving licence.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 28000 £ per year.
Salary: circa £28,000 per annum + £1,175 outer London weighting allowance
Location: Enfield and Haringey, North London
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time – 37 hours per week
Closing date for applications: 12:00 noon on Friday 26th June
Benefits:
- Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
- Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
- Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
- Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
- Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
A bit about the role:
We’re recruiting multiple Young Person’s Practitioners to support young people aged 11–18 who may be vulnerable to criminal exploitation. The role centres on providing intensive one‑to‑one support that helps young people move towards positive pathways such as education, training, and employment. This is delivered through multi‑agency partnership work, group sessions, and individual interventions, contributing to a growing evidence base on what works to divert young people away from crime.
You’ll be working with some of the most at‑risk young people in their communities, so confidence in risk assessments and contextual safeguarding will be valuable. Strong engagement and communication skills are essential, as you’ll also support families and help maintain a welcoming environment where young people feel comfortable to ‘drop in’ and connect with caseworkers. Our service has a strong track record of building trusting relationships with young people and families. When engagement takes time, we work closely with parents, carers, and siblings to build trust within the family, which often leads to meaningful engagement from the young person.
About the Service:
Action for Children has recently been awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver our Criminally Exploited Children Support Service across Scotland, England and Wales. The service offers targeted support to 11‑18‑year‑olds who may be at risk of or coerced into involvement with serious offending and criminal activity. We work closely with Local Authorities, Police, and Education partners to intervene early and reduce the risk and impact of criminal exploitation.
As part of a multi‑agency strategy with the City Council, our service provides intensive one‑to‑one support, group work, and engaging diversionary activities that help young people build confidence, develop new skills, and reconnect with education, training, or employment. At the heart of our approach is a belief in every young person’s potential and a commitment to helping them feel safe, valued, and empowered to make positive choices.
What you do could make a difference:
- Working in partnership with the local authority, youth justice services and Police
- Providing one‑to‑one support for young people involved in or at risk of offending
- Supporting young people with issues around relationships, emotional wellbeing, peer pressure, exploitation, substance misuse and other relevant issues
- Providing coping mechanisms and support in their often chaotic and challenging lives
- Offering practical support and mentoring around basic life skills, employability and building resilience
- Building trust, rapport and being a constant in the lives of the young person, providing them with the skills and abilities to make effective decisions in life
- Providing group activities and outdoor programmes to assist young people
Let’s talk about you:
- Experience working within a multi‑agency environment such as social care, early years, or health services, with a strong understanding of safeguarding practices
- Background in supporting individuals who have offended or are at risk of offending
- Knowledge of the criminal justice system
- Experience managing cases in line with agreed procedures, including completing assessments, planning, and reviews to support positive outcomes
- Strong communication skills, especially in engaging with young people and actively listening to their voices
- A full driving licence and access to a vehicle
- Relevant lived experience
Diversity, Equality and Inclusion:
We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things. We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under‑represented within Action for Children.
Contact Laura McCarthy – recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk (reference 13259)
Young Persons Practitioner in Enfield employer: Action for Children
At Action for Children, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of vulnerable young people. Our supportive work culture fosters professional growth through excellent training opportunities and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring every employee feels valued and empowered. With generous benefits including over 7 weeks of paid leave and flexible family packages, working in Enfield and Haringey offers a unique chance to contribute to a vital cause while enjoying a rewarding career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Young Persons Practitioner in Enfield
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Action for Children.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Action for Children!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Action for Children, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Action for Children or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Young Persons Practitioner in Enfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Action for Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Action for Children! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
