Youth Support Worker - Multi-Disciplinary Team in Essex

Fixed Term, Full Time £25,580 to £26,924 per annum

Location: Basildon

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity until March 2028.

Are you ready for the challenge of being at the forefront of innovative and impactful practice? This is an exciting time for Children's Social Work in Essex, and we are seeking an experienced, motivated and passionate individual to join our dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Led by the Team Manager, you will play a key role in creating the conditions for sustainable change for children and families, working alongside a diverse team of subject matter experts specialising in housing, domestic abuse, education, drug and alcohol support, youth work, and adult and child mental health.

The MDT is embedded within frontline Social Work teams, ensuring timely access to specialist support where it is needed most. Interventions are delivered within communities and family homes, providing targeted, relationship-based support that helps families overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes. MDT practitioners bring a unique combination of specialist knowledge, therapeutic insight and practical expertise. Their contribution is instrumental in re-engaging families, restoring hope and supporting meaningful, lasting change. The impact of this work extends beyond immediate outcomes, helping to build resilience and create brighter futures for children and their families.

We want you to be part of our vision and help make it a reality. If you have the drive, creativity and enthusiasm to enhance the lives of children and families, and are committed to delivering high-quality, strengths-based interventions, we would love to hear from you.

The Role

The Youth Support worker will play a key role in developing the Youth Service offer. By working with identified Young People who are exposed to various familial and environmental factors such as exploitation, NEET (not in education, employment or training). The Youth Support worker will ensure young people have positive experiences, providing bespoke groupwork packages and positive activities to empower Young People to overcome challenges to reach their full potential.

Accountabilities

• Identify areas of need and opportunity within the community where a youth work programme can be identified to support the development of youth provision delivered by the community.
• Support the commissioning of services by working with the community to enhance their skills so they can be more independent in design and delivery of services.
• Negotiate with young people and their communities on their involvement in the programme planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Contribute to and promote the programme to ensure that opportunities are accessible to all who wish to become involved.
• As part of the team involve young people in the decision-making processes whereby individuals and groups take on responsibilities for themselves and others in their project and the wider community.
• As part of the team respond to individual and group needs, this includes issues affecting young people, promoting self-awareness and self-esteem.
• To deliver or support the direct delivery of youth work programmes as may be required, to include residential experiences for young people.
• Take part in management supervision and the staff performance management scheme, to identify priorities and learning needs and to be responsible for the learning and development of self and to complete all required training and accreditation within 2 years of starting employment.
• Follow Child Protection Guidelines and report any concerns using the correct procedure and comply with individual responsibilities for staff and young people, in accordance with work role, for health and safety in the workplace.
• Ensure all duties and services provided are in accordance with the County Council Equal Opportunities Policy and Practice.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level and accountabilities of the post as directed by the District Youth Worker.

The Experience You Will Bring

• Qualified at level 2 or above in a JNC recognised Youth Work Qualification or be prepared to undertake training.
• Good level of numeracy and literacy.
• Experience of working with young people and communities which may be in a voluntary role.
• Ability to build relationships and relate well to people.
• Ability to work in a changing environment.
• Commitment to challenging prejudice and ignorance.
• Ability to develop work with young people and communities to achieve planned outcomes.
• Ability to work as part of a team.

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Interviews

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday 14th August 2026 at Ely House, Basildon.