At a Glance
- Tasks: Support vulnerable young people and improve their wellbeing through targeted interventions.
- Company: Join The Children’s Society, a trusted organisation with over 140 years of experience.
- Benefits: Enjoy 36 days of annual leave, enhanced parental leave, and a generous pension scheme.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with opportunities for professional development and volunteering.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young carers facing significant challenges.
- Qualifications: Relevant qualification or substantial experience working with vulnerable young people is desired.
The predicted salary is between 38616 - 46141 £ per year.
We are looking for an experienced young people's practitioner. You will be confident in your work with young people and join our dynamic, ambitious team. CHHAT provides a programme of targeted support services to identified young people/young carers. The CHHAT practitioner will provide support to, and improve the physical, mental and emotional wellbeing of young carers. You will address a number of target areas including emotional or physical abuse, domestic violence, neglect, social exclusion and isolation, truancy and/or underachievement at school, as a consequence of a parent or other significant family member using illicit drugs, alcohol, prescription medications or parental/carer mental health issues. Our engagement with young carers covers early to high intervention needs. We also support cases of historical parental substance use, where the young carer may, or may not still be residing with their parent, but continues to be affected by the experience.
Responsibilities
- Delivering direct interventions with vulnerable young people (8-18) on both a one to one and group work capacity.
- Co-producing care and safety plans with young people that are young people led, focusing on both a relational & strength-based approach.
- Extensive partnership working in a multi-agency environment to ensure that the needs and wishes of the young person are heard and acted upon.
- You will work as part of a team and need to be able to work in a flexible way which includes flexing your day and work location as need indicates, including being based in the locality office in Chelmsford and working in the home environment to increase convenience and accessibility, as well as extensive travel throughout Essex to reach and meet Young People.
You will need to demonstrate that you have:
- A relevant professional qualification working with vulnerable children and families is desired e.g., Diploma/degree in social work, counselling qualification, professional youth worker or related NVQ or degree.
- Or substantial relevant experience of working with vulnerable young people facing significant challenges within this sector.
- Substantial experience of working with vulnerable young people and families that are hard to reach and from diverse backgrounds on both a one-to-one basis and through group work interventions.
- Experience of supporting adolescents who are dealing with complex and sensitive issues through offering advice and advocacy.
- Experience of partnership and multi-agency working.
- Experience of working on one’s own and within a team.
- Experience of using IT based case management systems.
Benefits include but not limited to:
- 36 days’ annual leave, inclusive of bank holidays, increasing with length of service.
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave.
- We match up to 8% pension.
- Free counselling service.
- Opportunities to develop and widen your skills.
- 2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation.
The Children’s Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need. Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value driven team change the lives of children in this country for the better — and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.
Closing date: Midnight on Tuesday 25th August 2026
Interviews: Friday 4th September 2026
The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.
In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details. AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You’re welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.
Hidden Harm & Family Support Practitioner in Chelmsford employer: The Children's Society
The Children's Society is an exceptional employer, dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young people across the UK. With a supportive work culture that values employee development, you will have access to benefits such as a generous pension scheme, free counselling services, and opportunities to enhance your skills while working in a collaborative environment. Located in Washington, Tyne & Wear, this role offers flexibility and the chance to engage with your community, all while contributing to a vital cause.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Hidden Harm & Family Support Practitioner in Chelmsford
✨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 The Children's Society.
✨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 The Children's Society!
✨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 The Children's Society, 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 The Children's Society 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 Hidden Harm & Family Support Practitioner in Chelmsford
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 The Children's Society:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to The Children's Society! 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 The Children's Society
✨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.
