STEP Senior Practitioner in Knowsley

We are looking for driven and passionate people to work with us to deliver real benefits for our residents and businesses and become part of the Knowsley Journey.

Location: Nutgrove Villa, Westmorland Road, Huyton, Knowsley, L36 6GA, Hybrid Working

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time Hours: 36 hours per week. Consideration will be given for part time working.

Closing Date: 21/06/2026 at 23:59

This is a brilliant opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of children and families in Knowsley. Is this you?

• Believes deeply in giving children the best possible chance to thrive
• Can inspire and support a committed, skilled, and energetic team
• Is motivated to drive Knowsley’s prevention and early help offer forward
• Has the confidence to innovate and champion child centred and trauma informed practice

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of Knowsley’s Prevention Service - STEP. The team sits under the direction of the Youth Justice Service but is very much a partnership approach to tackling anti-social behaviour, crime and exploitation. We would like to hear from you if you are creative, resourceful, supportive, and have a genuine desire to positively shape the futures of children.

The STEP Team (Support, Together, Empower, Prevention) works with children at the earliest stages of need, supporting those on the edge of criminality or exploitation and helping them stay safe, connected, and on a positive path. The team’s impact is hugely valued across Children’s Services, and we’re now seeking a Senior Practitioner who can support the Team Manager to lead with passion, creativity, and a relentless focus on improving outcomes for children.

The mission of the team is to provide a child first, trauma informed and relationship-based service to reduce anti-social behaviour, children entering the criminal justice system, and children becoming exploited. The service will support vulnerable children, some who have been impacted by adverse childhood experiences, those who are most excluded, so above all, you will need to have the drive, passion, and commitment to making a difference for these children.

As the Senior Practitioner, you will ensure that all work is underpinned by the ‘Child First’ approach, driving this vision forward with the service.

The role Under the line management of the Prevention Team Manager, the Senior Practitioner will support the work of the prevention service, ensuring the highest standards of practice are maintained in the delivery of preventative interventions to children and their families in Knowsley. The Senior Practitioner will support the therapeutic approach within the team and maintain and adhere to the Trusted Relationship model approach.

Qualifications:

• A nationally recognised professional qualification relevant to the service that includes accredited knowledge of children’s development, family dynamics and casework models of intervention, risk management (e.g. Social Work, Probation, Health, Youth & Community, Teaching) or equivalent experience
• If Social Work qualified, registration with Social Work England.

At Knowsley Council we will consider requests for flexible working. For most roles, the following types of flexibility are usually possible: flexible hours, working from home, compressed hours, part-time. There is a requirement for you to attend your work base at least 2 days per week.

We welcome applications from residents and beyond, regardless of background, belief, or identity, recognising the value that diversity brings to our organisation. We particularly welcome applications from individuals from Black and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and candidates with disabilities as we acknowledge their underrepresentation in our workforce.

Please note sponsorship is not available for this role. We reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the specified date should we receive sufficient applicants.