Youth Support Worker - Multi-Disciplinary Team

Fixed Term, Full Time

£25,580 to £26,924 per annum

Location: Basildon

Please note this vacancy is available as a fixed term contract or secondment opportunity until March 2028

Are you ready for the challenge of being at the forefront of innovative and impactful practice?

This is an exciting time for Children's Social Work in Essex, and we are seeking an experienced, motivated and passionate individual to join our dynamic Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT).

Led by the Team Manager, you will play a key role in creating the conditions for sustainable change for children and families, working alongside a diverse team of subject matter experts specialising in housing, domestic abuse, education, drug and alcohol support, youth work, and adult and child mental health.

The MDT is embedded within frontline Social Work teams, ensuring timely access to specialist support where it is needed most. Interventions are delivered within communities and family homes, providing targeted, relationship-based support that helps families overcome barriers and achieve positive outcomes.

MDT practitioners bring a unique combination of specialist knowledge, therapeutic insight and practical expertise. Their contribution is instrumental in re-engaging families, restoring hope and supporting meaningful, lasting change. The impact of this work extends beyond immediate outcomes, helping to build resilience and create brighter futures for children and their families.

We want you to be part of our vision and help make it a reality. If you have the drive, creativity and enthusiasm to enhance the lives of children and families, and are committed to delivering high-quality, strengths-based interventions, we would love to hear from you.

To read more about us please visit:  Children & Families

Please take a look at our  ‘No Magic’ Children & Families video

The Role

The Youth Support worker will play a key role in developing the Youth Service offer.

By working with identified Young People who are exposed to various familial and environmental factors such as exploitation, NEET (not in education, employment or training). The Youth Support worker will ensure young people have positive experiences, providing bespoke groupwork packages and positive activities to empower Young People to overcome challenges to reach their full potential.

Accountabilities

Identify areas of need and opportunity within the community where a youth work programme can be identified to support the development of youth provision delivered by the community.
Support the commissioning of services by working with the community to enhance their skills so they can be more independent in design and delivery of services.
Negotiate with young people and their communities on their involvement in the programme planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Contribute to and promote the programme to ensure that opportunities are accessible to all who wish to become involved.
As part of the team involve young people in the decision-making processes whereby individuals and groups take on responsibilities for themselves and others in their project and the wider community.
As part of the team respond to individual and group needs, this includes issues affecting young people, promoting self-awareness and self-esteem.
To deliver or support the direct delivery of youth work programmes as may be required, to include residential experiences for young people.
Take part in management supervision and the staff performance management scheme, to identify priorities and learning needs and to be responsible for the learning and development of self and to complete all required training and accreditation within 2 years of starting employment.
Follow Child Protection Guidelines and report any concerns using the correct procedure and comply with individual responsibilities for staff and young people, in accordance with work role, for health and safety in the workplace.
Ensure all duties and services provided are in accordance with the County Council Equal Opportunities Policy and Practice.
Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level and accountabilities of the post as directed by the District Youth Worker.

The Experience You Will Bring

Qualified at level 2 or above in a JNC recognised Youth Work Qualification or be prepared to undertake training
Good level of numeracy and literacy
Experience of working with young people and communities which may be in a voluntary role
Ability to build relationships and relate well to people
Ability to work in a changing environment
Commitment to challenging prejudice and ignorance
Ability to develop work with young people and communities to achieve planned outcomes
Ability to work as part of a team

The role requires you to be mobile throughout a wider operational area including travelling around the county of Essex and beyond, transporting service users and their belongings and to be able to do so in an emergency. Driving licence and car or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means is essential.

Interviews

Interviews are scheduled to take place on Friday 14th August 2026 ay Ely House, Basildon.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone's Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, the Government announced that councils in Greater Essex will be reorganised into five new unitary authorities from April 2028. In addition to this, Greater Essex has been accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email resourcing.team@essex.gov.uk

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