At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead youth outreach and build safety for young people in Southampton.
- Company: Join Southampton’s Young People’s Service and make a real difference.
- Benefits: Generous holiday, flexible working, training, and health support.
- Other info: Supportive team environment with opportunities for personal growth.
- Why this job: Empower young people and create safer, connected communities.
- Qualifications: Experience in youth work and strong relationship-building skills.
The predicted salary is between 28800 - 35200 £ per year.
Help lead youth outreach and build safety around young people in Southampton. We are looking for an experienced Senior Youth Worker to join Southampton’s Young People’s Service and help coordinate youth outreach across the city. This is a role for someone who believes that skilled, relationship‑based youth work can make a real difference. You will work with groups of young people in the places they spend time, helping to build trust, increase safety, create opportunities and respond to risks linked to exploitation, serious youth violence, missing episodes, peer relationships and community spaces. The post sits within our Contextual Safeguarding Team and will play an important part in strengthening how Southampton responds to harm outside the home.
About the role
You will help coordinate outreach, detached and place‑based youth work across the city, ensuring activity is safe, purposeful and focused where need and risk are greatest. This will include using information from young people, communities, practitioners and partners to shape where and how outreach takes place. You will work directly with groups of young people in community settings, including those who may be reluctant to engage with professionals. You will need to be confident approaching young people, building rapport over time, adapting your approach when situations change and making sound safeguarding decisions when concerns arise.
As a Senior Youth Worker, you will support Youth Support Practitioners in day‑to‑day delivery, model good youth work practice, contribute to planning and help ensure work is clearly recorded so we can understand demand, impact and unmet need. A key part of the role will be supporting Community Guardianship by building relationships with parents, carers, schools, police, community groups, local businesses, residents and other trusted adults who can help create safer spaces and stronger support around young people. The role will include planned evening and weekend working as part of youth outreach activity.
About you
We are particularly keen to hear from practitioners who:
- Are committed to child‑centred, trauma‑informed, culturally competent and anti‑oppressive practice.
- Have experience of outreach, detached or place‑based youth work with groups of young people.
- Can build trust with young people who may be reluctant, guarded or at risk.
- Understand the risks young people can experience outside the home, including exploitation, serious youth violence, missing episodes and peer or place‑based harm.
- Can work flexibly and safely in response to changing needs, risks and circumstances.
- Have sound safeguarding judgement and know when to share information, seek advice or escalate concerns.
- Can support and guide others, coordinate activity and build effective relationships with partners, community organisations, local businesses and residents.
Most importantly, you will care about young people and be committed to helping them feel safer, more connected and better supported in their communities. This is an opportunity to join a developing area of work within the Young People’s Service. You will be part of a supportive and committed team working with partners and communities to reduce harm, increase safety and improve opportunities for young people.
What we can offer you
Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below:
- Excellent local government pension with 15.2% employer contribution
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role‑dependent)
- Family‑friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support – Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran‑friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits – low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
For further information on our benefits package please visit Employee benefits (southampton.gov.uk).
Contact details for informal discussion
For further information and details regarding the position, please contact Laura Tanner, Contextual Safeguarding Lead at laura.tanner@southampton.gov.uk.
Interview Information
Please note that provisional dates for interviews are Thursday 8th and Friday 9th October 2026 in person.
Recruitment contact details
Email: recruitment@southampton.gov.uk Tel: 023 8083 4033.
For more information about SCC please visit Southampton City Council.
Senior Youth Worker in Southampton employer: Southampton City Council
Southampton City Council is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being of both employees and the community. As an Emergency Telecare Advisor, you will benefit from comprehensive training and development opportunities, ensuring your growth in a role that makes a meaningful impact on the lives of vulnerable residents. With a commitment to teamwork and resilience, you'll find a rewarding environment that values compassion and quick decision-making in a dynamic 24/7 service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Youth Worker in Southampton
✨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 Southampton City Council.
✨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 Southampton City Council!
✨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 Southampton City Council, 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 Southampton City Council 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 Senior Youth Worker in Southampton
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 Southampton City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Southampton City Council! 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 Southampton City Council
✨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.
