Trauma‑Informed Child Exploitation Specialist in Bradford

Salary: PO1, SCPs 27 - 30 - £38,220 - £40,777, Permanent, 37 hours per week, Based in Bradford, Hybrid Working offers the opportunity to work with some great people who are passionate about delivering change in a city whose culture offers as much diversity as its geography. You can make a real difference to families and children and be an active part in delivering the service Bradford families should receive. We are fully committed to equal opportunities, and we welcome applications from all backgrounds.

About the Role

We are a multi-agency Child Exploitation and Missing from Home service led by Children's Social Care, Police and our close partners that supports children and young people at risk of or affected by criminal or sexual exploitation and works to bring offenders to justice. The team is vibrant, diverse, and highly efficient, offering several evidence-based interventions to support children that have been, or are at risk of, exploitation. Caseloads are low within the team to enable intensive interventions to be provided. The CE Hub offers support within our early help pathways, Child in Need or Child Protection frameworks, as well as supporting our Children in Care. Additionally, we recognise exploitation does not cease at 18 and we are fundamental in the development of our transitions service offering support to young people who have experienced, or who are, at risk of exploitation post 18.

Across all these interventions we adopt a contextual safeguarding approach working in partnership with children and their families and understanding that children and families affected by exploitation often experience complex and intersecting challenges, including poverty, inequality, discrimination, adverse childhood experiences, housing instability, and other structural barriers that may increase vulnerability. We work closely with Police, the Youth Justice Service, Health Practitioners, Youth services and education to initiate attitudinal and behaviour change.

We are committed as a multi-agency group to developing outcome focussed plans which help achieve a reduction of exploitation risks and improved safeguarding, reduction in missing episodes, engagement in education/employment and improved relationships within home environments. Our recent OFSTED report noted that ‘where children are at risk of exploitation, the response is prompt, well-coordinated and effective’. We remain on our journey of implementing exciting and positive change and we’re dedicated to making this impactful and meaningful for the children, young people and families at risk of or experiencing exploitation in Bradford.

Our strategic vision and values are upheld across the Trust, fostering a reliable and supportive environment for both staff and the children in our care. Our approach is rooted in restorative and relational practice, fostering trust, mutual respect, and meaningful relationships with children, families, and professionals.

You’ll also:

• Provide specialist consultation, advice and guidance to colleagues and partner agencies regarding exploitation, contextual safeguarding and trauma-informed practice.
• Mentor, coach and support less experienced practitioners, contributing to workforce development and improved practice standards.
• Identify emerging exploitation trends, themes and hotspots, ensuring intelligence is appropriately shared and acted upon.
• Contribute to audits, quality assurance activity, service evaluations and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Participate in training, reflective supervision and continuing professional development to maintain and enhance specialist knowledge and skills.
• Work flexibly, including community-based, outreach and occasional evening or weekend work, to meet the needs of children, young people and families.

To be successful in this role you will need:

• Degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as: Youth Work, Criminology, Social Care, Education, Health.
• Experience working with children, young people or adults impacted by exploitation, trauma or adversity.
• Experience of working in complex safeguarding or risk environments.
• Experience of applying trauma-informed and restorative approaches in practice.
• Demonstrable ability to build relationships with hard-to-engage individuals.
• Undertake analytical assessments and planning.
• Work effectively within multi-agency partnerships.

You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:

• Generous annual leave - 31 days rising to 34 with service, plus bank holidays.
• Excellent Local Government pension.
• Family-friendly policies and enhanced parental leave.
• Health & wellbeing support, including Occupational Health and counselling.
• Professional development and career progression opportunities.
• We are a National Living Wage employer.

Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment. For full details of our benefits, please see the attached ‘Our Benefits’ brochure. If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview. A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.

Closing Date: 16th August 2026 Interviews: 1st September 2026