Dorset Council
Youth Practitioner (Entry Level)
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We are looking for caring, committed, and positive people to join our supportive team of Youth Practitioners to support children and young people who are disabled at Chestnut House in Weymouth. In this role, you will work directly with children and young people with disabilities, supporting them to build independence, develop life skills, and access meaningful opportunities within their communities.
The role of Youth Practitioner is rewarding, supporting children in their day to day lives, and creating a positive and safe environment in which children can grow and develop.
At Dorset Council, our priority is that children remain in Dorset, receive the best possible care and support, and are given the opportunities they need to achieve their full potential.
What You Will Be Doing
- Independent skills development: support children in developing skills such as cooking, cleaning, and personal care, fostering their independence
- Engaging activities: organise and participate in activities such as spending time in the garden, swimming, creating art, or going out in the community for trips like visits to parks, the beach, or shopping
- Supportive environment: help create a positive and safe environment where children can grow and develop, making the home feel welcoming and non-clinical for both children and staff
- Team collaboration: work closely with other team members, families, and external agencies to provide the best care for the children. This includes developing care plans and thinking of creative ways to help children flourish
- House management: assist with the day-to-day running of the home, including cooking meals, cleaning, administering medication
What We Can Offer
- Comprehensive training: we offer an extensive induction and training program, including a Level 4 Certificate in Therapeutic Care where required.
- Team environment: we have a diverse team with various backgrounds, all united by a passion for helping children. We work together, leveraging each other's strengths and learning from one another.
- Management and benefits: you will also be given regular supervision and access to some great employee benefits including an LGPS pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.
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About You
We are looking for individuals who are:
- Caring, motivated, and enthusiastic
- Passionate about providing high-quality care and creating opportunities for children
- Skilled in forming positive relationships with children and young people
- Adaptive and creative in meeting each child's needs
- Committed to improving the lives and opportunities of disabled children and their families
- Resilient and effective at working within a close-knit team
We have various Youth Practitioner positions, including full-time permanent contracts and zero-hours posts.
Shifts will include weekends and bank holidays, with discussions around rota flexibility welcomed.
Additional allowances are payable for sleep-in duties and bank holiday work.
Further Information
For an informal chat about the role please contact Joe Bevis - [email protected] or Hollie Robinson - [email protected] This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders. All posts requiring a safeguarding policy See our policy on safeguarding children and young people. See our adult safeguarding policy.
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About Us
At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:
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At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.
We
- Provide essential services that support over 300,000 residents
- Work in partnership to make a real difference
- Value every role and the impact it has on our communities
- Support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive
You Will
- Be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset
- Have access to a range of benefits and support
- Receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.
We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible, if you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application.
This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement.
If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us.
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