Dorset is committed to creating environments for our children and young people to thrive. This is an exciting opportunity to join our new service as a Youth Practitioner based in the Wimborne area, providing care and support to children and young people initially in a short break setting within a small staff team, and in the future, additionally providing outreach support to children and families in their own homes.
The priorities for our Dorset children are that they stay in Dorset, which is the best place for them to live, that they are given the best start in life through good care provision, and the best education and training opportunities, enabling them to thrive and be the best they can be.
The role of Youth Practitioner is to ensure a safe and nurturing environment in which children and young people with disabilities are supported to reach their potential.
We are aspirational for our staff team, as well as our children, and you will be joining a supportive and inclusive council that will nurture and invest in you to enable you to thrive in your job.
Professional Qualifications
* fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Childcare or the nationally recognised Level 4 Therapeutic Certificate in Childcare
* support with Maths & English if needed
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
* clear routes to Senior Youth Practitioner and Team Leader roles
* leadership programmes, coaching, and mentoring
What You Can Expect To Be Doing
* you will be passionate and aspirational in supporting young people, sharing our core values and celebrating differences.
* you will support young people with day‑to‑day lives, activities and promote community participation and social inclusion, as well as helping children develop life skills.
* you will be a naturally caring person who can form and maintain positive relationships with our children, young people and families, as well as partner agencies and allocated social workers who form a team around the child.
* you will be ambitious for our children, creative and passionate to ensure children and young people who are disabled are supported to achieve the best outcomes and provide them with opportunities to flourish.
Skills And Qualities We Appreciate
* you will be a kind and caring person with a passion for improving lives, be ambitious for our children, and flexible and creative in approach.
* you will be able to work independently and as part of a team, and be flexible in the approach so we can creatively support each child and work together to find solutions.
* you must also have some experience working with children and families.
Further Information
You must be able to work evenings, weekends and bank holidays. The role requires a three‑week rolling rota alongside other colleagues in the team. If you would like further information on this, please reach out to the Manager [email protected]
You must also hold, or be happy to work towards, the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare, to be completed within two years of employment.
This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport deemed 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.
See our policy on safeguarding children and young people.
See our adult safeguarding policy.
Benefits
* 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 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 are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve.
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