At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people in re-engaging with education and managing emotional challenges.
- Company: Specialist SEMH school focused on trauma-informed support for students.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, ongoing training, and term-time only hours.
- Other info: Join a supportive team dedicated to helping students succeed academically and personally.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Graduates in Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, or related fields are encouraged to apply.
The predicted salary is between 27300 - 27300 £ per year.
Location: Wakefield (commutable from Pontefract, Castleford, Barnsley & surrounding areas)
Pay: £114.33 per day
Job Type: Full-time, Term-Time Only
Start Date: ASAP / September Start Available
Launch Your Career Supporting Vulnerable Young People
Are you a Criminology, Psychology, or Sociology graduate looking to gain hands-on experience working with vulnerable young people? We are recruiting a Youth Re-engagement Support Worker for a specialist SEMH and Alternative Provision setting in Wakefield, supporting students aged 7-16 who face significant barriers to education, including social, emotional and mental health (SEMH) needs, challenging behaviour, trauma, and exclusion from mainstream schools.
This role is an excellent opportunity for graduates interested in careers in youth justice, probation, policing, social work, counselling, forensic psychology, or education.
About the School
The school provides a structured, supportive, and trauma-informed environment for young people who have struggled within mainstream education. Staff focus on helping students rebuild confidence, improve emotional regulation, and positively re-engage with learning. Using restorative approaches and positive behaviour support strategies, the school helps pupils develop the skills needed to succeed both academically and personally.
The Role - Youth Re-engagement Support Worker
In this role, you will:
- Support students on a 1:1 basis and in small groups
- Help pupils re-engage with education and classroom learning
- Support students with SEMH needs, behavioural challenges, and emotional regulation
- Build positive relationships with vulnerable or disengaged young people
- Use restorative and trauma-informed approaches to manage behaviour
- Promote resilience, confidence, and positive decision making
- Work closely with teachers, pastoral teams, SEN staff, and external agencies
- Create a calm, safe, and structured learning environment
What You'll Gain
This role provides valuable frontline experience for anyone considering careers in:
- Youth Justice
- Social Work
- Educational Psychology
- Probation Services
- Youth Offending Teams (YOTs)
- Mental Health & Counselling
- Teaching & SEN Education
You'll develop key professional skills including:
- Behaviour management and de-escalation
- Safeguarding and trauma-informed practice
- Relationship building with hard-to-reach young people
- Emotional regulation strategies
- Multi-agency working and professional communication
Candidate Profile
We are looking for someone who is:
- A graduate in Criminology, Psychology, Sociology, Education, or a related field
- Passionate about supporting vulnerable young people
- Calm, resilient, and patient under pressure
- Confident building relationships with challenging or disengaged students
- Interested in careers within youth justice, SEMH, or social care
- Previous experience with young people is desirable but not essential
Benefits
- Competitive daily pay - £114.33 per day
- Long-term opportunity within a specialist SEMH setting
- Excellent experience for aspiring youth justice or social care professionals
- Ongoing CPD and behaviour management training
- Supportive and experienced leadership team
- Term time only working hours
- Dedicated consultant support throughout your placement
- Access to professional development through Milk Education
Youth Re-engagement Support Worker in Wakefield employer: Milk Education
Milk Education is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its employees, offering a vibrant work culture in the heart of Liverpool. With significant progression pathways, generous incentives, and a supportive environment, we empower our team to thrive in their careers while enjoying a healthy work-life balance with 23 days off annually plus bank holidays.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Re-engagement Support Worker in Wakefield
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Milk Education.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Milk Education!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Milk Education, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Milk Education or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Re-engagement Support Worker in Wakefield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Milk Education:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Milk Education! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Milk Education
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
