Dorset Council UK
Senior Youth Practitioner
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Do you have a passion for supporting young people to achieve the best possible outcomes in life?
Are you ready to make a real difference by helping prevent care escalation, placement breakdowns, or facilitating placement step-downs? Join us as a Senior Youth Practitioner, where every day is an opportunity to inspire, support, and empower.
The pioneering Harbour model framework in the east of Dorset provides residential and outreach-based support for Dorset families. Our residential services in the East are situated near Ringwood, set on the edge of the beautiful new forest, and support young people through their journey in residential care with a high level of support to develop key skills, enabling them to move into foster care or home.
What’s In It For You
You will be part of our ever-improving Children’s Service, making a difference to children in Dorset. Recently rated as GOOD by Ofsted, our approach to how we work with our children, families, and communities is embedded in making Dorset a place where all children thrive. You will be joining a supportive and inclusive council that will provide you with support, invest in you, and nurture you to enable you to thrive in your job. A comprehensive training programme is available to enable your professional growth and development.
You will make a difference by helping ensure that our children stay in Dorset and are given the best start in life through outstanding care, support, and services. This includes the best education and training opportunities, which enable them to thrive, realise their potential, and be the best they can be.
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What You Can Expect To Be Doing
As a Senior Youth Practitioner for Harbour East you will provide on-the-ground support and drive change in finding solutions, building sustainable and meaningful relationships and manage the reduction of risk, whilst focusing on local placements with the clear objective of improving work with families and safely reducing the number of children entering care.
You will provide supervision and direction using evidence-based models including Trauma Informed Model and Restorative Practice. You will work closely with the Deputy Manager to oversee key residential and outreach processes for Harbour East. You will also oversee and supervise, the care and support provided to young people and their families.
You will improve work with families and communities to safely reduce the number of children entering care. You will work with partner agencies to improve social work practice and decision making so that the best choices are made for every child, and lives are improved.
About You
We are looking for an experienced, dynamic and motivated Senior Youth Practitioner who is ready to develop this service, you will lead from the front to generate a change in culture, systems, relationships, practice and ways of working together, whilst making a real difference to the lives of children, young people and families.
You must have prior supervisory experience, plus experience of supporting children on the edge of care, those in care requiring placement stability support and or are missing in education. It is desirable that you have an active interest in your continuous professional development on related subjects.
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You will be a kind and caring person with a passion for improving lives, be aspirational in attitude and resilient and flexible in approach.
As an inspirational leader you will be passionate about improving the lives of Dorset children and create opportunities for them to thrive.
Dorset has a comprehensive training programme which supports your professional growth and development.
We invest in your long-term development with a training offer that’s comprehensive, accredited, and tailored to you.
Core skills & induction
- structured onboarding programme to help you settle in
- safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and behaviour management
- first aid and health & safety
Ongoing development
- monthly reflective supervision and peer learning
- access to e-learning, workshops, and specialist courses
- specialist training in therapeutic care and attachment
- deep dive into child development and neurodiversity
Career Progression
- leadership programmes, coaching, and mentoring
We’re Looking For Someone Who
- Is resilient, empathetic, and skilled in forming meaningful connections with young people and families.
- Can deliver proactive, solution-focused interventions while celebrating individuality and diversity.
- Thrives in a flexible role that includes evenings, weekends, and sleep-in duties, ensuring consistent support.
You’ll need to hold a QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equivalent) and have a commitment to continuous development.
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