At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in overcoming challenges and empower them to reach their full potential.
- Company: Join a dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working arrangements, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Exciting career growth opportunities and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of transformative youth support and create lasting change in lives.
- Qualifications: Level 2 or above in Youth Work or willingness to train; experience with young people preferred.
The predicted salary is between 26924 - 26924 £ per year.
Fixed Term, Full Time - 37 hours per week
£25,580 - £26,924 per annum
Location: Harlow
Working Style: Community-based worker
Closing Date: 26th July 2026 (11:59pm)
This position is being offered as a Fixed Term Contract / Secondment until 31st March 2028. Please note visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.
The Team
The Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) comprises subject matter experts specialising in housing, domestic abuse, education, drug and alcohol support, youth work and mental health for adults and children. MDT workers bring specialist knowledge and therapeutic insight. Their expertise is instrumental in re-engaging families, restoring hope, and fostering sustainable change. This team’s work is not only impactful — it’s transformative.
We are seeking an experienced, motivated and passionate individual to join our team. Being led by the Team Manager, you will be working to create the conditions for sustainable change with families. The MDT team is situated within frontline social work teams where the referrals come from. The interventions from MDT are delivered within the community or in the families’ homes.
We want you to be a part of our vision and making this a reality. If you have the drive, creativity and enthusiasm to enhance and improve the lives of Children and Families, we want to hear from you. Are you ready for the challenge of being at the forefront of innovative and impactful practice?
This is an exciting time for Children’s Social Work in Essex, and we are seeking experienced, motivated and passionate individuals to join our dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). Led by the Team Manager, you will help create the conditions for sustainable change, working alongside a diverse team of subject matter experts in housing, domestic abuse, education, drug and alcohol support, youth work and mental health.
Based within frontline Social Work teams, the MDT provides bespoke, specialist interventions in the community and in family homes, bringing therapeutic insight and expertise that re-engages families, restores hope and supports meaningful, lasting change. We want you to be part of our vision and help make it a reality. If you have the drive, creativity and enthusiasm to enhance and improve the lives of Children and Families, we want to hear from you.
The Role
The Youth Support worker will play a key role in developing the Youth Service offer. By working with identified Young People who are exposed to various familial and environmental factors such as exploitation, NEAT (not in education, employment or training). The Youth Support worker will ensure young people have positive experiences, providing bespoke groupwork packages and positive activities to empower Young People to overcome challenges to reach their full potential.
Accountabilities
- Identify areas of need and opportunity within the community where a youth work programme can be identified to support the development of youth provision delivered by the community.
- Support the commissioning of services by working with the community to enhance their skills so they can be more independent in design and delivery of services.
- Negotiate with young people and their communities on their involvement in the programme planning, implementation, and evaluation.
- Contribute to and promote the programme to ensure that opportunities are accessible to all who wish to become involved.
- As part of the team involve young people in the decision-making processes whereby individuals and groups take on responsibilities for themselves and others in their project and the wider community.
- As part of the team respond to individual and group needs, this includes issues affecting young people, promoting self-awareness and self-esteem.
- To deliver or support the direct delivery of youth work programmes as may be required, to include residential experiences for young people.
- Take part in management supervision and the staff performance management scheme, to identify priorities and learning needs and to be responsible for the learning and development of self and to complete all required training and accreditation within 2 years of starting employment.
- Follow Child Protection Guidelines and report any concerns using the correct procedure and comply with individual responsibilities for staff and young people, in accordance with work role, for health and safety in the workplace.
- Ensure all duties and services provided are in accordance with the County Council Equal Opportunities Policy and Practice.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level and accountabilities of the post as directed by the District Youth Worker.
The Experience You Will Bring
- Qualified at level 2 or above in a JNC recognised Youth Work Qualification or be prepared to undertake training.
- Good level of numeracy and literacy.
- Experience of working with young people and communities which may be in a voluntary role.
- Ability to build relationships and relate well to people.
- Ability to work in a changing environment.
- Commitment to challenging prejudice and ignorance.
- Ability to develop work with young people and communities to achieve planned outcomes.
- Ability to work as part of a team.
The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.
Next Steps
Candidates shortlisted for interview will be invited to attend a face‑to‑face interview at our Goodman House offices in Harlow, with interviews expected to take place around the week commencing 3rd August 2026.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.
At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained.
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk.
Youth Support Worker - Multi-Disciplinary Team in Harlow employer: Working for Essex
Essex County Council is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Youth Support Workers in Harlow. With a strong commitment to employee growth, flexible working arrangements, and a focus on community impact, staff are empowered to make meaningful changes in the lives of children and families. Join a team that values integrity, promotes inclusivity, and provides opportunities for professional development while working at the forefront of innovative social work practices.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Support Worker - Multi-Disciplinary Team in Harlow
✨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 Working for Essex.
✨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 Working for Essex!
✨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 Working for Essex, 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 Working for Essex 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 Youth Support Worker - Multi-Disciplinary Team in Harlow
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 Working for Essex:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Working for Essex! 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 Working for Essex
✨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.
