At a Glance
- Tasks: Support children and families facing challenges, delivering tailored interventions and building strong relationships.
- Company: Northamptonshire Children's Trust, dedicated to improving outcomes for young people.
- Benefits: 28 days annual leave, local government pension, flexible working, and extensive development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a passionate team committed to safeguarding and promoting wellbeing.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in working with children or relevant experience; strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Location: Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom
Closing Date: 08/07/2026
Organisation: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
Benefits:
- 28 days annual leave, plus 8 Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time) and an additional 5 days after 5 years
- Local Government Pension Scheme plus immediate life cover (3 times your annual salary from day one) and ill-health pension protection
- Opportunity to purchase up to 25 days annual leave
- Employee Assistance Programme - telephone counselling, legal advice, bereavement support and medical information available 24/7
- Employee discounts with local and national retailers, days out, finance, health and beauty, travel and eating out
- Flexible and family working arrangements including enhanced maternity benefits
- A permanent, supportive and inclusive management team where you are empowered to make professional decisions
- Extensive Learning & Development and career development opportunities
- Subsidised town centre car parking scheme
About the role
As a Young People’s Practitioner, you’ll play a vital role in delivering high‑quality early intervention support to children and young people aged 0–19 who are facing complex challenges. You’ll act as a trusted key worker, helping families navigate difficulties before they escalate and promoting positive, long‑term outcomes.
What will you be doing?
- Take the lead on a caseload, acting as the key worker and coordinating support for children and families at risk of poor outcomes
- Build strong, trusting relationships that enable young people and families to engage and create meaningful change
- Carry out whole‑family assessments, identify risks, and develop tailored intervention plans to improve outcomes
- Deliver direct one‑to‑one and group interventions, supporting areas such as emotional wellbeing, behaviour, parenting, and life skills
- Work intensively with families in their homes and communities, using persistence and creativity to engage those who may be reluctant to access support
- Complete Return Home Interviews for young people who have gone missing, helping to reduce future risk
- Collaborate with partner agencies and professionals to coordinate effective, joined‑up support
- Provide both support and appropriate challenge to help families make sustainable, positive changes
About you
You’re passionate about improving life chances and confident in working with young people and families facing significant challenges. You can build strong, trusting relationships and engage those who may be resistant to support. You have experience working directly with families with multiple and complex needs. You have strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to challenge, support, and inspire change. You are able to assess risk, carry out family assessments, and develop effective intervention plans. You are skilled in mediation, negotiation, and problem‑solving, even in challenging or crisis situations. You demonstrate a flexible, resilient, and self‑motivated approach, with the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. You have a Level 3 qualification in working with children, young people, or families (or substantial relevant experience). Most importantly, you’re committed to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of children and young people, and you’re motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting, positive impact on their lives.
This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore subject to an enhanced DBS certificate. It is also a regulated activity and will be subject to a Barred List check. We are a disability confident employer and guarantee an interview to care leavers who meet the essential criteria.
About us
At Northamptonshire Children’s Trust, children, young people and families are at the heart of all we do. We are committed to achieving the best outcomes for them and operate independently of the local council.
Young People's Practitioner in Northampton employer: Northamptonshire Children's Trust
At Northamptonshire Children's Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to the well-being of our staff and the families we serve. With a supportive management team, extensive learning and development opportunities, and a flexible work culture, we empower our Young People's Practitioners to make meaningful impacts in the lives of children and young people. Our generous benefits package, including 28 days annual leave, a Local Government Pension Scheme, and employee assistance programmes, ensures that our employees feel valued and supported in their vital roles.
Contact Details:
Northamptonshire Children's Trust Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Young People's Practitioner in Northampton
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust.
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust!
✨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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust, 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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust 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 Young People's Practitioner in Northampton
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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Northamptonshire Children's Trust! 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 Northamptonshire Children's Trust
✨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.
