Youth Support Worker – Multi-Disciplinary Team in Harlow

Fixed Term, Full Time - 37 hours per week

£25,580 - £26,924 per annum

Location: Harlow

Closing Date: 8th February 2026 (11:59pm)

Please note that this position is being offered as a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment until February 2028.

The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) comprises of subject matter experts specialising in housing, domestic abuse, education, drug and alcohol support, youth work and mental health for adults and children. MDT workers bring specialist knowledge and therapeutic insight. Their expertise is instrumental in re‑engaging families, restoring hope, and fostering sustainable change. This team’s work is not only impactful — it’s transformative.

We are seeking an experienced, motivated and passionate individual to join our team. Being led by the Team Manager, you will be working to create the conditions for sustainable change with families. The MDT team is situated within frontline social work teams where the referrals come from. The interventions from MDT are delivered within the community or in the families’ homes.

If you have the drive, creativity and enthusiasm to enhance and improve the lives of Children and Families, we want to hear from you. 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 experienced, motivated and passionate individuals to join our dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).

The Youth Support worker will play a key role in developing the Youth Service offer.

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.
• 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.
• Respond to individual and group needs, including issues affecting young people, promoting self‑awareness and self‑esteem.
• Deliver or support the direct delivery of youth work programmes as may be required, including 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.

Next Steps:

Candidates shortlisted for interview will be invited to attend a face‑to‑face interview at one of our Essex County Council offices, with interviews expected to take place around the week commencing 19th February 2026. If successful, the anticipated start date for this role will be from April 2026.

Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone. Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.