Job Description

Young Person’s Practitioner
Salary: circa £28,000 per annum
Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, with some work also taking place across North Tyneside and Gateshead, and one role predominantly based in North Tyneside.
Contract/Hours: Permanent / Full Time – 37 hours per week

Closing date for applications is midnight of Tuesday 12th May

Benefits:

Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

We’re really excited to be recruiting multiple Young Person’s Practitioners, to support young people aged 11–18 who may be vulnerable to criminal exploitation. The role centres on providing intensive one‑to‑one support that helps young people move towards positive pathways such as education, training, and employment. This is delivered through multi‑agency partnership work, group sessions, and individual interventions, contributing to a growing evidence base on what works to divert young people away from crime.

You’ll be working with some of the most at‑risk young people in their communities, so confidence in risk assessments and contextual safeguarding will be valuable. Strong engagement and communication skills are essential, as you’ll also support families and help maintain a welcoming environment where young people feel comfortable to ‘drop in’ and connect with caseworkers.

Our service has a strong track record of building trusting relationships with young people and families. When engagement takes time, we work closely with parents, carers, and siblings to build trust within the family, which often leads to meaningful engagement from the young person.

About the Service

Action for Children has recently been awarded funding from The National Lottery Community Fund to deliver our Criminally Exploited Children Support Service across Scotland, England and Wales. The service offers Targeted support to 11-18year olds who may be at risk of or coerced into, involvement with serious offending and criminal activity.

We work closely with Local Authorities, Northumbria Police, and Education partners to intervene early and reduce the risk and impact of criminal exploitation. As part of a multi‑agency strategy, our service provides intensive one‑to‑one support, group work, and engaging diversionary activities that help young people build confidence, develop new skills, and reconnect with education, training, or employment.

At the heart of our approach is a belief in every young person’s potential and a commitment to helping them feel safe, valued, and empowered to make positive choices.

What you do could make a difference

Some key responsibilities of the Young Person’s Practitioner role are;

Working in partnership with the local authority, youth justice services and Police
Providing 1-2-1 support for young people involved in or at risk of offending.
Supporting the young people with issues they may face around relationships, emotional wellbeing, peer pressure, exploitation, substance misuse and other relevant issues
Provide young people with coping mechanisms and support in their often chaotic and challenging lives.
Offering practical support and mentoring to young people around basic life skills, employability and building their resilience.
Building trust, rapport and being a constant in the lives of the young person, providing them with the skills and abilities to make effective decisions in life.
Provide group activities and outdoor programmes to assist young people.

Let’s talk about you

Our job description for the Young Person’s Practitioner covers the main requirements, but the following skills would also be a real advantage;

Experience working within a multi-agency environment such as social care, early years, or health services, with a strong understanding of safeguarding practices.
Background in supporting individuals who have offended or are at risk of offending.
Knowledge of the criminal justice system.
Experience managing cases in line with agreed procedures, including completing assessments, planning, and reviews to support positive outcomes.
Strong communication skills, especially in engaging with young people and actively listening to their voices.
A full driving licence and access to a vehicle.
Relevant lived experience.

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.

Will you join us?

Contact: Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13055

Diversity, equality and inclusion

We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things.

We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children.

Want to get to know Action for Children better?

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

Action for Children's story

Find us on Linkedin, Facebook or YouTube to get to know us better.