Description Job Title: Full-Time Return Home Interviewer Salary: £26,556– £28,764 per annum Grade: B Contract Type: Permanent Working Hours: 37 hours per week If you are looking for something unique and to progress your own knowledge base and skills this is a great role for you. Thurrock Council are seeking to recruit a full-time Return Home Interviewer to join an independent Return Home Interview service for children and young people up to the age of 17 years (to the day before their 18th birthday) a statutory function, for Thurrock children reported as missing from home and care in borough. About the Department We are looking for an enthusiastic practitioner who will undertake the following focused duties: To provide an independent Return Home Interview service for children and young people up to the age of 17 years (to the day before their 18 th birthday) a statutory function, for Thurrock children reported as missing from home and care To ensure the Voice of the Child is heard and the Return Home Interviewer is available to discuss the child’s concerns and worries. To receive and share information, across multiple agencies, ensuring adherence to GDPR regulations. Information will only be shared when appropriate and agreed via a key working group and or/individuals. To report accurate and complete information. To ensure that any intelligence, including safeguarding concerns, identified during a missing period are reported effectively and in a timely manner and to work towards reducing missing periods for Young People. To ensure Return Home Interviews are undertaken within the required timescales. To ensure the services are delivered within the councils child care policies About the Role To support ensure Return Home Interviews are undertaken within the required timescales and to report accurate and complete information. The RHI worker will attend meetings as necessary whilst ensuring they maintain their independence; this includes strategy meetings and other related meetings. The success candidate will ensure that any intelligence, including safeguarding concerns, identified during a missing period are reported effectively and in a timely manner and to work towards reducing missing periods for Young People. Essentially, the role of the Independent Person undertaking RHIs will be to ensure the Voice of the Child is heard and they are available to discuss the child’s concerns and worries. The successful applicant will be able to demonstrate the ability to work on their own initiative as well as be able to contribute to a multi-agency approach, so as to contribute towards enabling effective interventions with young people. This role offers the chance to make a real difference by understanding why young people go missing and create safety for them to reduce further missing episodes. What We’re Looking For We’re looking for someone who has: Demonstrate the ability to work closely with people, showing an understanding of boundaries, effective relationships and a commitment to positive outcomes for children. Ability to organise own workload and work well under pressure Ability to liaise and negotiate with other services and agencies relating to young people who go missing. Works effectively as part of a team to achieve team and service plan objectives and targets A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check at an Enhanced level with Child Barred List is required for this role. Important Dates Closing Date (Redeployment Only): 2nd April 2026 Closing Date (Internal & External): 12th April 2026 Interview Date: To Be Confirmed Additional Information If you have any questions about the role or interview process, please contact: Seema Moules - Adolescent, Child Exploitation & Missing Team Manager smoules@thurrock.gov.uk To view the Job Profile and Person Specification, please follow the link below: Download Job Profile (PDF Document) Application Requirements As part of the Safer Recruitment process, Gap Management is required for all Safeguarding roles. Please complete the Gaps in Employment grid provided (refer to the example document for guidance) and upload it under Miscellaneous Documents as part of your application. If the Job Profile and Person Specification list any qualifications as essential, please also upload copies of those relevant qualifications. Gaps in Employment Form Gaps in Employment Example