At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people aged 10-16 with mental wellbeing and education re-engagement.
- Company: Join a community-driven organisation making a real impact in young lives.
- Benefits: Part-time hours, competitive salary, and the chance to shape a new project.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of a pioneering initiative that promotes positive mental health.
- Qualifications: Experience working with young people and understanding of safeguarding procedures.
- Other info: Flexible working hours with opportunities for professional development.
The predicted salary is between 15700 - 19500 £ per year.
Want to be part of something new, community-driven and impactful? We are looking for part-time Youth Social Prescribers to deliver a brand-new early help model for young people aged 10‑16. This is a unique opportunity to help shape and deliver a project focused on prevention, mental wellbeing, and re‑engagement with education — working 1:1 with young people and their families, co‑producing support plans, and connecting them to meaningful community activities.
Salary: £26,292 (FTE) actual subject to hours agreed
Hours: Part time, to be agreed. Minimum 16 hours per week
Working Pattern: TBC (Monday to Friday, with evening work included and occasional Saturdays, although Fixed Saturday mornings could be an option if preferred)
About the Role
This role will pilot a new early help pathway for children and young people aged 10–16 experiencing Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA). The Youth Social Prescriber/Navigator will work 1:1 with young people and their families for up to 6 weeks, co‑producing wellbeing and reintegration plans and linking them with local community activities and support that improve emotional health, confidence, and school re‑engagement.
Key Responsibilities
- Build trusting relationships with children and young people and their families to explore goals and barriers
- Co‑produce personalised wellbeing and re‑engagement plans
- Link CYP to appropriate community activities (e.g. sports, arts, mentoring, volunteering)
- Co‑facilitate small group sessions with children and young people
- Refer and signpost to other City Family services and those provided by other organisations
- Promote positive mental health, confidence, and physical activity
- Ensure safeguarding concerns are identified and responded to using City Family procedures
- Work closely with schools, VCSEs, and health partners to support holistic engagement
- Maintain accurate case notes, progress reports, and feedback
- Contribute to data collection using validated wellbeing tools (e.g. Outcomes Star, WEMWBS)
- Support occasional co‑design workshops and pilot evaluation activity
- Attend supervision, team meetings, and training as required
What You'll Need
Experience
- Sound understanding of safeguarding procedures
- Proven experience working with a range of stakeholders
- Experience of recording, monitoring data and retrieving information
- Experience working directly with children/young people aged 8–16, and particularly those with SEND/Neurodiversity
- Familiarity with Southend or similar communities (desirable)
Knowledge and Qualifications
- A Level/BTEC educated or equivalent in Health, youth/family work or Early Years, with demonstrable, current, relevant experience and CPD
- Level 1 Safeguarding
- Understanding of EBSA, school non‑attendance, neurodiversity or adolescent mental health
Skills and Abilities (all essential)
- Ability to work with parents/carers and extended family members
- Ability to work as part of a team and on own initiative
- Good IT skills including use of Microsoft Word, Office, internet and email
- Commitment to continuing professional development
- Ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds, and strong communication skills to remove any barriers to access
Additional
- Ability to travel across South Essex, with full, clean driver’s licence and access to a vehicle
- Ability to work at least one later evening (up to 7pm)
- Occasional Saturdays
City Family CIC is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. It is a requirement of all staff that they share this commitment and follow the prescribed policy and procedure to continuously promote a culture of safeguarding across the whole organisation. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and does require a Disclosure and Barring Service check. Applicants must be prepared to disclose any convictions they may have and any orders which have been made against them. City Family CIC's vision is to bridge and tackle the disparities that impact happy healthy childhoods. Our mission is to break down barriers to opportunity and empower families to raise happy, healthy children.
Youth Social Prescriber employer: Cityfamily
Contact Detail:
Cityfamily Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Social Prescriber
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the community! Since this role is all about connecting with young people and their families, spend some time familiarising yourself with local activities and resources. This will help you build those trusting relationships and show that you're genuinely invested in their wellbeing.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! You’ll need to engage with a diverse range of people, so try role-playing conversations or scenarios with friends. This will help you feel more confident when it comes to breaking down barriers and making connections.
✨Tip Number 3
Show your passion for mental health and youth support! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, share your personal experiences or insights related to the role. This will demonstrate your commitment and understanding of the challenges young people face.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our mission to empower families and improve children's lives.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Social Prescriber
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young people shine through. We want to see how much you care about making a difference in their lives and how you can contribute to our community-driven approach.
Tailor Your Experience: Make sure to highlight any relevant experience you have working with children and young people, especially those facing challenges like EBSA. We’re looking for specific examples that demonstrate your skills and understanding of the role.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see why you’d be a great fit for the Youth Social Prescriber role.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cityfamily
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Youth Social Prescriber inside out. Familiarise yourself with concepts like Emotionally Based School Avoidance (EBSA) and how to support young people and their families. This will help you answer questions confidently and show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to build relationships with young people and their families. Think about times when you've co-produced plans or linked individuals to community activities, as these experiences will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect to be asked how you would handle various situations involving young people, especially those facing challenges like school avoidance. Practise your responses to hypothetical scenarios, focusing on your problem-solving skills and your approach to safeguarding.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few insightful questions ready to ask. This could be about the team dynamics, the training provided, or how success is measured in this role. It shows you're engaged and serious about making a positive impact in the community.