Job description
Salary: £33,143 - £36,363Location: The Council House Hours: 37 hours a week Contract Type: Fixed Term for 2 years Closing Date: 30 April 2026 Step into a role where every conversation, every moment of support, and every connection you build can change the course of a young person’s life. As a Staying Close Children’s Practitioner for Transitions, you’ll be part of a service that empowers young people leaving care to move confidently into independence, knowing they have someone in their corner who genuinely cares.
In this role, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career within a supportive, forward-thinking team that values creativity, compassion, and professional development. The Staying Close Children’s Practitioner for Transitions position offers the chance to work closely with young people at one of the most pivotal points in their lives, helping them to develop resilience, life skills, and a sense of belonging as they navigate their next steps.
If you’re motivated by making a meaningful difference and want to be part of a service that celebrates progress and champions potential, the Staying Close Children’s Practitioner for Transitions role provides a rewarding environment where your contribution truly matters. The Opportunity In the role of Children’s Practitioner for Transitions, here’s an example of what you’ll be doing to make an impact: • Build consistent, trusting relationships with young people as they move from residential care into independent living. • Offer practical and emotional support to help them develop confidence, life skills, and stability during this key transition. • Work alongside residential homes, community services, and other professionals to ensure each young person has a strong, coordinated support network. • Help young people understand their choices, plan for their future, and overcome barriers that may affect their wellbeing or independence. • Provide regular guidance, check-ins, and advocacy so young people feel heard, valued, and supported throughout their journey. • Adapt your approach to meet individual needs, recognising that each young person’s story, pace, and goals will be different. About You To be successful in this role, you’ll ideally have... This Transition post provides an exciting opportunity to work with care experienced young people as part of an initial 2-year contract funded by the Department for Education under a Staying Close. As part of the Staying Close project the successful applicant will be expected to demonstrate that they have a working knowledge and experience of directly supporting vulnerable young people and be able to deliver direct 1-1 sessions covering independence and life skills to care experienced young people. You will be providing practical, emotional, social, financial advice and support to young people both preparing to leave care and those who have left care to enable them to make a successful transition to adulthood and independence. Transition workers will work exclusively with a small group of young people on the Staying Close project. Essential Skills & Qualifications • A relevant qualification in social care, youth work, education, health, or another related field or equivalent practical experience supporting young people. • Strong communication skills, with the ability to build trust and form positive, supportive relationships. • Confidence in working independently and managing your own caseload and time effectively. • Ability to identify risks, use sound judgment, and make safe, appropriate decisions in challenging situations. • Good organisational skills, including accurate record-keeping and the ability to maintain consistent contact with young people. • Basic digital skills, including the ability to write reports, use email, and maintain online records. Essential Experience • Experience working directly with young people, ideally those facing vulnerability, transition, or change. • Experience offering emotional and practical support in a person-centred way. Essential Soft Skills • Empathy, patience, and the ability to remain calm and supportive under pressure. • A flexible, solution-focused approach with the ability to adapt to different needs and personalities. • A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the wellbeing of young people
Who We Are
Here at Derby City Council, we’re dedicated to delivering nearly 250 first-class services to citizens and businesses in the heart of the Midlands. People are at the centre of all that we do, and we have an outstanding track record of recruiting and developing talented individuals by providing them with varied and fulfilling career opportunities. Find out more about what it’s like to work for us.
What We Offer
You too could be part of something brilliant by becoming a colleague at Derby City Council; in addition to making a difference to the lives of people across the city, you’ll also receive:
• Flexible work/life balance scheme
• Hybrid working
• Continued professional development opportunities & career conversations
• 27 days annual leave (rising to 32 days after 5 years' service), plus bank holidays
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Team Derby Rewards – retail and leisure discounts
• Tusker Car Benefit Scheme
• Cycle2Work Scheme & free cycle training
• Employee Assistance Programme, Wellbeing Calendar and Support
• Access to our Equality Employee Networks – LGBTQ+, Disabled Employee Network & Carers and our Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic Employee Support Network and Neurodiversity Network
• Support for colleagues who are carers
Next Steps
If you would like to apply for this vacancy via an