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- Tasks: Engage and support vulnerable young people through outreach and direct assistance.
- Company: Railway Children, dedicated to safeguarding street-connected children.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, permanent contract, and the chance to make a real difference.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and impactful community engagement.
- Why this job: Join a passionate team and help protect children from harm in your community.
- Qualifications: Experience in youth work and safeguarding, with strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 32000 - 32000 £ per year.
Salary: Up to £32k
Hours: Full time
Location: Sheffield or Doncaster
Contract: Permanent
WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU?
Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets. Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Founded in 1996, Railway Children has dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for street connected children. With projects in the UK, India and Tanzania, we aim to reach these children as soon as they are in danger and intervene before an abuser can. As we embark on our new strategy to 2030, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work.
The role
We are looking for a Youth Outreach Practitioner for our South Yorkshire team and are keen to receive applications from those living in and around Sheffield or Doncaster. You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s programme in the UK, in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP). As a Youth Outreach Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in keeping children safe from harm by engaging in patrols to identify and safeguard young people (aged 10-17) at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown. You will also work closely with our Youth Practitioner, supporting a number of young people who have been identified or referred for 1-1 direct support. Both aspects of the role will involve working directly with young people and their families to reduce risks, as well as building strong relationships with other social care, Police, third sector agencies and local services in the area. Your base would be at Sheffield or Doncaster Railway Station with regular travel between these stations plus Barnsley and Rotherham stations and working across these boroughs. This role does involve working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.
About you
You will have experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people and families as well as working in an outreach or similar setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities. A relevant qualification in an appropriate discipline in working with children and families, community or youth work or equivalent experience is desirable. Alongside this, relevant training in safeguarding and/or issues relevant to vulnerable young people and families is essential. You will need to have experience of providing front line support to safeguard some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK. Experience of developing productive relationships/partnerships with a variety of organisations such as 3rd sector groups, local services and statutory services such as social care to support the needs of vulnerable young people and families is a must.
A full person specification can be found in the job pack. For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website. We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience. Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed.
Closing Date: Sunday 10th May at 5pm
1st interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 20th May 2026
2nd interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 2nd June
Youth Outreach Practitioner – South Yorkshire employer: Railway Children
Contact Detail:
Railway Children Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Outreach Practitioner – South Yorkshire
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to youth outreach. Attend local events or workshops in Sheffield or Doncaster to meet potential colleagues and mentors. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Show your passion! When you get the chance to chat with someone from Railway Children or during interviews, let your enthusiasm for supporting vulnerable young people shine through. Share personal stories or experiences that highlight your commitment to making a difference.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about scenarios where you've successfully engaged with young people or tackled challenges in outreach settings. Practising your responses will help you feel more confident and ready to impress during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of the Railway Children team. Don’t forget to tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience and skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Outreach Practitioner – South Yorkshire
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: When writing your application, let your passion for working with young people shine through. We want to see your commitment to making a difference in their lives, so share any relevant experiences that highlight this.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application specifically for the Youth Outreach Practitioner role. Use keywords from the job description and relate your skills and experiences directly to what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured responses that are easy to read. Avoid jargon and focus on communicating your ideas effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our organisation there.
How to prepare for a job interview at Railway Children
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Youth Outreach Practitioner inside out. Familiarise yourself with the challenges faced by young people in South Yorkshire, especially around issues like exploitation and homelessness. This will help you demonstrate your passion and commitment during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past work where you've successfully engaged with young people or families. Highlight any outreach work you've done and how it made a difference. Real-life stories can really resonate with interviewers!
✨Build Connections
Since this role involves working with various agencies, be ready to talk about your experience in building partnerships. Think of times when you collaborated with social care, police, or third sector organisations to support vulnerable young people. This shows you can work well in a team and understand the importance of collaboration.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical situations related to safeguarding and supporting young people. Practice your responses to scenarios where you might need to make quick decisions or handle sensitive situations. This will show your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.