Youth Re-Engagement Practitioner

Key responsibilities

Engagement and direct work with young people

• Build trusted, consistent relationships with young people experiencing emotionally based school avoidance, persistent absence or disengagement from education.
• Meet young people in environments where they initially feel comfortable, including their home, community and other agreed locations.
• Use individual interests, practical activities, sport, outdoor learning and community opportunities to create meaningful routes into engagement.
• Support young people to develop confidence, independence, communication, routines and emotional regulation.
• Introduce learning and educational expectations gradually, at a pace that is ambitious, realistic and responsive to the young person's needs.

Planning progress and transition

• Understand the individual barriers affecting each young person's access to education and contribute to referral assessment and planning.
• Develop an individual re-engagement plan with the young person, family and relevant professionals, setting clear and measurable goals.
• Plan and deliver personalised sessions that move the learner through connection, engagement, participation, learning and transition.
• Support gradual transitions into OpenGate provision, mainstream education, college or another agreed pathway.
• Continue transition support where required to help the learner sustain attendance, relationships and engagement.
• Recognise that progress may not be linear and adapt support while maintaining focus on agreed outcomes.

Partnership working and recording

• Work closely with parents and carers, schools, SEND teams, local authorities and other professionals supporting the young person.
• Contribute to referral discussions, reviews, planning meetings and multi-agency communication.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of sessions, attendance, engagement, safeguarding information and progress.
• Provide clear evidence of progress against agreed outcomes and contribute to reports for commissioners and other stakeholders.
• Contribute ideas and practical learning to the continued development of OpenGate's EBSA and re-engagement offer.

Safeguarding quality and compliance

• Maintain professional boundaries and follow OpenGate Education's safeguarding, lone-working, data protection and health and safety procedures.
• Identify, record and report safeguarding concerns immediately in line with organisational procedures.
• Complete and regularly review individual, location and activity risk assessments.
• Work safely and confidently when delivering sessions independently in community settings.
• Take part in supervision, training, quality assurance and reflective practice.

Key relationships

• Young people, parents and carers
• OpenGate Education leaders, teachers, tutors and support colleagues
• Schools, local authorities, commissioners, SEND teams and virtual schools
• Social care, early help, health and other professionals
• Community, sport, outdoor learning and activity partners

Person specification

Essential experience and knowledge

• Experience of working directly with children or young people.
• Experience of supporting young people with SEND, SEMH needs, emotionally based school avoidance, persistent absence or other barriers to education.
• A sound understanding of safeguarding, professional boundaries and information sharing.
• Experience of working collaboratively with families and other professionals.
• Good written communication, digital confidence and accurate record-keeping skills.

Desirable experience and knowledge

• Experience of alternative provision, education reintegration or community-based outreach.
• Knowledge of EBSA or EBSNA approaches and experience supporting neurodivergent young people.
• Understanding of trauma-informed, relational and restorative practice.
• Experience of working with EHCPs, SEND support plans or multi-agency plans.
• Training in safeguarding, de-escalation or positive behaviour support.
• A relevant qualification in youth work, education, therapeutic support, coaching, mentoring, social care or a related field.
• Experience of delivering practical, outdoor, vocational, enrichment or wellbeing activities.

Skills and personal qualities

• Able to connect with young people who may be reluctant to engage or who have stopped trusting education.
• Calm, patient, dependable and able to maintain consistency when progress is gradual.
• Creative and flexible in using a young person's interests as a starting point for engagement.
• Confident working independently while seeking guidance and escalating concerns appropriately.
• Able to balance warmth and empathy with clear boundaries and purposeful goals.
• Committed to inclusion and to improving outcomes for young people.
• Comfortable helping to shape a new service within a growing organisation.

Additional requirements

• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use are required because the role involves regular community travel.
• The role may require flexibility around working locations and times to meet the needs of young people and families.
• Appointment will be subject to appropriate safer recruitment and pre-employment checks, including an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, identity and right-to-work checks.
• The duties listed are not exhaustive. The postholder may be expected to undertake other reasonable duties consistent with the level and purpose of the role.