At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people affected by exploitation and provide advocacy for families.
- Company: Join a national charity dedicated to helping missing individuals and their families.
- Benefits: Generous holidays, family-friendly perks, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Be part of a caring team that values lived experiences and promotes safety.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of vulnerable young people and their families.
- Qualifications: Experience in supporting at-risk youth and strong advocacy skills required.
Fixed Term contract until 31 March 2027 £31,490 per annum. 35 per week Monday to Friday,10 am to 6 pm.
Happy to talk about flexible working.
High degree of flexibility to work from home About the role You will support young people who have been affected by child criminal exploitation and missing.
You will also work with many parents and carers who need emotional support, advice, information and/or advocacy because their child is being criminally exploited.
You will provide a safe and confidential space for them to talk through their experiences and help them to understand their options and how to stay safe.
You will be a strong advocate for young people and families, working with them and other agencies to ensure they get the help they need to stay safe, and to reduce the risks of harm they face.
Support families, carers, children, and young people who have been affected by exploitation/missing.
- Deliver national anonymous support via phone, email, SMS, and live chat, working collaboratively with the helpline team to offer a wraparound exploitation support service.
- Promptly assess referrals from police, local authority staff, project workers and children / young people as well as families for service suitability.
- Hold case discussions and consult managers as necessary to assess risk and plan service user support where the risk is heightened.
- Speak up for children, young people, parents and carers who are at risk
- Support individuals receiving our service to have their voice heard by the various professionals, carers and family members in their lives.
- Represent the person and the charity professionally and constructively in any context where advocacy is required.
Support parents and carers to understand the service and the wider support available through the charity
- Be sensitive to the distress parents and carers may be experiencing following a child’s disappearance, which can sometimes be ongoing in relation to CCE
- Provide advice and on-going support to parents and carers which promote their and their child’s safety and wellbeing.
- Effectively signpost supported individuals to other partnered services including Missing People’s various services.
About you Could you bring your expertise in working with young people to support Missing People's Exploitation Service?
You will need to have the right to work in the UK and relevant experience, knowledge and skills including: Experience needed
- Significant experience working directly to support at risk young people and families in a social care, statutory or voluntary sector setting;
- Significant experience of successfully advocating for young people and families to get the support they need from other agencies;
- Experience of assessing needs, recognising risk and implementing safeguarding procedures to safeguard children, young people or vulnerable adults.
- Experience of designing and implementing support plans which promote increased wellbeing and safety for young people and families;
- Abilities, Skills and Knowledge needed
* Working (proven) knowledge of
- the risks faced by children and young people who are missing, associated with a gang, involved in county lines and experiencing child criminal exploitation;
- effective methods for safeguarding children and young people who are missing, associated with a gang, involved in county lines and experiencing child criminal exploitation;
- how statutory services respond to victims of county lines and child criminal exploitation and their families.
- Strong advocacy skills;
- Excellent record keeping skills including the effective use of client record databases.
What you will get in return Missing People is a friendly and supportive place to work – it’s a welcoming, caring organisation which really makes a difference to people affected by the issue of missing throughout the UK.
We offer generous paid holidays, a range of enhanced family friendly benefits and are happy to talk about flexible working in most roles.
About Missing People Somebody goes missing in the UK every 90 seconds.
Missing People exists to ease the heartache experienced by those missing someone, and to help people who are away from home find their way back to safety.
Our vision is for every missing child, adult and family left behind to find help, hope and a safe way to reconnect.
We are a non-judgemental, highly skilled team of staff and volunteers working for everyone who needs us.
We provide free, confidential support, help and advice by phone, email, text and live chat.
We coordinate a UK-wide network of people, businesses and media to join the search for the estimated 170,000 people who go missing each year.
Missing People aims to put people with lived experience at the heart of our work, amplifying their voices to achieve change.
Find out more and apply If you want to be a lifeline when someone goes missing, click apply to read the full job description.
You will find attached a detailed job description and person specification, and a letter to applicants from the line manager.
To apply, please ensure you include your CV and a brief covering letter explaining how you would be a good fit for this role.
We look forward to receiving your application.
Closing date: 23:59 on 6 August 2026 We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient interest, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Interviews: 11 and 12 August 2026.
You may have experience of the following: Exploitation Support Worker, Child Safeguarding Officer, Young Person's Advocate, Missing Children Support Worker, , Children's Welfare Officer, Family Support Worker, Case Manager - Children's Services, Child Protection Practitioner, Outreach Coordinator, Outreach Worker, Exploitation Specialist, Exploitation Caseworker.
REF-(Apply online only)
Exploitation Support Worker - National Charity in London employer: Missing People
Missing People is an exceptional employer that offers a meaningful opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of families affected by disappearance. With a supportive work culture that values collaboration and innovation, employees benefit from flexible hybrid working arrangements and professional growth opportunities in philanthropy and fundraising. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to impactful change and community support.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Exploitation Support Worker - National Charity in London
✨Get Involved in Local Community Projects
One of the best ways to land a temporary role in social work is to dive headfirst into local community projects. Volunteer your time or skills at local charities or community centres to not only gain experience but also to connect with professionals in the field. They might just have some insider knowledge on temporary positions that pop up!
✨Engage with Social Work Networks
Join online forums and social media groups specifically for social workers. Platforms like Facebook or LinkedIn have dedicated groups where professionals share temporary job opportunities. Being an active member can help you stay in the loop and even get recommendations from those already in the field.
✨Attend Workshops and Seminars
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences related to social work in your area. These events aren't just great for learning; they're also hotbeds for networking! You never know who might be hiring or can point you towards a temporary position while you're soaking up new skills.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website!
When you spot a role that piques your interest, especially for a temporary position, make sure to apply directly through our website! This not only shows your commitment to Missing People, but also gives you an edge by putting your application right in front of the hiring team. Let’s get you moving on that path to your next opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace Exploitation Support Worker - National Charity in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let's highlight why you're passionate about social work and how your values align with those of Missing People. Share specific experiences where you made a difference, as this field thrives on genuine motivation and connection.
Demonstrate Relevant Experience:When listing your experience, focus on any internships, volunteer roles, or temporary positions you've had in social work or related fields. Those skills are gold! Think about situations where you helped individuals or communities, and don't forget to mention any relevant certifications, like safeguarding or mental health first aid.
Keep It Concise and Relevant:Remember, for a temporary role, hiring managers want to see how you fit in and can hit the ground running. Keep your CV clear and to the point, showcasing only the experience that really matters for the role at Missing People. We recommend a two-page limit – make every word count!
Emphasise Flexibility and Adaptability:Considering this is a temporary position, it's vital to show you can adapt to new environments quickly. In your application, highlight any past experiences where you had to adjust to different teams or roles smoothly. This shows you understand the nature of temporary work and are ready for the challenge!
How to prepare for a job interview at Missing People
✨Sharpen Your Empathy Skills
In social work, it's all about understanding and connecting with people from diverse backgrounds. Make sure to prepare some examples from your experience where you've demonstrated empathy and resilience. Practising active listening techniques can help you articulate your approach during the interview with Missing People.
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with key social work theories and frameworks, like the ecological systems theory or person-centred approaches. These concepts might pop up during your interview for the temporary Exploitation Support Worker - National Charity role at Missing People, so it's good to have a couple of insights ready to share.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
Since this is a temporary position, showcasing your flexibility is key. Be prepared to discuss past experiences where you quickly adapted to new environments or changing client needs, which is crucial in the dynamic world of social work.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect some scenario-based questions that test your decision-making skills and ethical judgement. Think about how you would handle specific challenges you might face in the field. Having a clear structure for your answers will show Missing People that you can think critically and act effectively under pressure.
