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- Tasks: Support young people affected by exploitation with practical and emotional guidance.
- Company: Join The Children's Society, making a real difference in young lives.
- Benefits: Part-time role with competitive salary and flexible working hours.
- Why this job: Be a vital part of a team transforming the futures of young people.
- Qualifications: Experience working with young people and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to social change.
The predicted salary is between 15660 - 15660 £ per year.
Contract: Permanent with funding until 31st March 2027
Hours: Part-time role of 21 hours per week
Salary: FTE £26,100 per annum - £15,660 pro rata
Location: Bedfordshire [Luton, Central Bedfordshire and Bedford]
This is an exciting time to join The Children’s Society as we enter into our second year delivering Project Pathfinders funded by our partners in Bedfordshire Violence Exploitation Prevention Partnership.
Role and responsibilities
The community navigators will provide 1:1 support to young people and young adults (up to 25), affected by exploitation across Bedfordshire [Luton, Bedford and Central Bedfordshire]. The successful candidate will have an excellent track record of engaging with young people, ensuring they meet young people ‘where they are at’ and help them to navigate a complex system guiding them through day-to-day challenges that they may be experiencing.
Regular 1:1 support will take place in community settings and will provide both emotional and practical support such as housing, school reintegration, employment and access to mental health services. Where appropriate, there will be an element of partnership work with families to strengthen relationships and collaboration with community organisations and statutory services to provide safe spaces.
The community navigators will work closely with a range of partners in Bedfordshire including multi-agency panels and missing-from-home teams to ensure young people’s wishes and feelings are heard with the ultimate aim of reducing harm and disrupting exploitation through a coordinated trauma-informed response.
In order to be successful in this role, you must have:
- Extensive and relevant experience of working with young people affected by exploitation
- The ability to work flexibly, act creatively, think systemically and respond to new and challenging situations.
- Experience of building and maintaining relationships both with young people, communities and partners
- The ability to work in a culturally sensitive and holistic way, recognising and responding to children’s individual needs in 1:1 settings
Commitment to equality, safeguarding and recruitment. We view diversity and inclusion as fundamental to achieving social change. To tackle the complex issues facing young people, we need access to diverse talent, perspectives, experiences and working practices. Applications from diverse backgrounds and communities are encouraged and we have policies to support flexible, inclusive and accessible employment.
The Children’s Society runs over 100 local services that help thousands of young people who desperately need our support, and we campaign to get laws and policies changed to make children’s lives happier and safer. Every day we’re changing the lives of children in this country for the better – and with your help, tomorrow we can be there for even more.
The Children’s Society is committed to safeguarding and protecting the children and young people that we work with. As such, all posts are subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records and vetting checks. We ensure that we have a range of policies and procedures in place which promote safeguarding and safer working practices across our services.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 27th April 2026. Interviews will be held on Friday 8th May 2026.
Community Navigator employer: The Children's Society
Contact Detail:
The Children's Society Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Community Navigator
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your field, especially those connected to The Children’s Society or similar organisations. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet potential colleagues and partners. Remember, it’s all about who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching the organisation and its values. Understand their mission and how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you show that you’re not just a good fit for the role, but also for the team culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your storytelling skills! Be ready to share specific examples of how you've supported young people in challenging situations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers and make them impactful.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Community Navigator
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your experience with young people and how it relates to the role of Community Navigator. We want to see how your skills align with our mission at The Children’s Society!
Showcase Your Flexibility: In your written application, emphasise your ability to work flexibly and creatively. We’re looking for someone who can adapt to new challenges, so share examples of how you've done this in the past.
Highlight Relationship Building: Don’t forget to mention your experience in building relationships with young people and community partners. We value collaboration, so let us know how you’ve successfully engaged with others in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity to make a difference!
How to prepare for a job interview at The Children's Society
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Community Navigator inside out. Familiarise yourself with the challenges young people face, especially those affected by exploitation. Research The Children’s Society and their Project Pathfinders to show your genuine interest and commitment.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare specific examples from your past work where you've successfully engaged with young people. Highlight instances where you've navigated complex systems or provided emotional support. This will demonstrate your ability to meet young people 'where they are at'.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Creativity
Be ready to discuss how you adapt to new and challenging situations. Share stories that illustrate your creative problem-solving skills and your ability to work flexibly in various community settings. This is crucial for the role!
✨Cultural Sensitivity Matters
Since the role requires working in a culturally sensitive manner, be prepared to talk about your approach to inclusivity and understanding diverse backgrounds. Show that you recognise individual needs and can tailor your support accordingly.