Adolescent Practitioner

The starting salary for this full-time, permanent position is -33,552per annum based on a 36 hour working week.

We are excited to announce a new opportunity for two permanent Adolescent Practitioners to join our fantastic Adolescent Service Central Hub Team. The purpose of the Central Hub is to provide rapid, time limited and intensive support to vulnerable young people in crisis. It also provides direction and consistency in practice to the locality Hubs to ensure that the developing principles of the Adolescent Service are embedded across all services and that young people receive highly effective support when and where they need it most.

This role is open to hybrid working and as a team we split our time between collaborating together in the office, working within the communities we serve and working from home. The role will be predominantly based in the West of Surrey although travel around the county may be required at times.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days'' holiday (prorated for part time staff), rising to 28 days after 2 years'' service and 31 days after 5 years'' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer''s leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependents leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of our new Adolescent Service in Surrey, who bring together a range of services for young people including those who go missing, are involved in gang culture and are vulnerable to exploitation, including criminal and sexual exploitation.

The Central Hub is the key component that links together all the distinct Adolescent Services from: the Youth Offer, Homelessness, Mental Health and Edge of Care Teams to local Hubs and the Youth Justice Service. This ensures consistency of service to young people and that there is robust oversight of the Extra Familial Harm pathway and Risk and Vulnerability Management Panels. The Central Hub provides the resource to undertake contextual safeguarding work in communities and will develop specific interventions to target areas of concern.

Our team includes Social Workers and Adolescent Practitioners who are focused on achieving positive outcomes for young people. We are committed to doing things differently and innovatively; implementing a brand-new model for working with adolescents, taking into account current research and best practice.

The Adolescent Service is built on the belief that relationships are the key vehicle for achieving change. The service is underpinned by ''Relational Practice'' principles; an intentional way of working where establishing, attending to, and maintaining empathetic and honest interpersonal relationships are prioritised.

This approach includes our relationships and how we work with each other. Adopting this approach supports us to create systems that can be trauma-informed and respond appropriately to individuals'' different needs and experiences. It supports everyone''s ability to work restoratively to resolve conflict, repair harm and support change.

As an Adolescent Practitioners in our Central Hub Team, you will:

• Support whole families through a strengths-based and trauma informed approach, utilising motivational interviewing skills and effective relational approaches
• Undertake a range of short-term intensive interventions supporting young people who are either vulnerable to or who are experiencing Extra Familial Harm
• Undertake Return Home Interviews when a child has been missing
• Undertake community based contextual safeguarding interventions
• Undertake group work with young people either in a community setting or school
• Ensure casework is adequately recorded as per team policy and procedures, including timely and accurate case notes, assessments and reports

Shortlisting Criteria

We are looking for skilled and passionate Adolescent Workers who are dedicated to working positively with young people in sometimes challenging and complex situations, and who have the confidence and emotional intelligence to engage others.

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, you CV and personal statement will clearly evidence the following:

• An understanding of the roles and responsibilities of practitioners working with vulnerable children and young people, with experience of working in a social work, youth justice, youth work, teaching, or probation environment
• Appreciation of best practice approaches when supporting children and young people
• Basic awareness of relevant legislation affecting working with children, including the Children Act (1989) and the Children and Adoption Act (2002)
• IT skills, including use of databases, email, Word and Excel
• Ability to prioritise and work effectively under pressure with minimal supervision
• Willingness to learn and undertake training relevant to the role
• Transferable skills and experience from a youth work, youth justice, education, residential children''s home or social work background would align well to this role, where you will have the opportunity to gain further skills and experience in a dynamic and innovative environment.

Surrey has both urban and rural areas and you will be expected to have a valid driving licence to drive in the UK, access to a vehicle and be willing to travel to your contractual base and across a wide geographical area. Reasonable adjustments where needed will be made for successful applicants who have a disability or long-term health condition to enable them to fulfil the requirements of the job.

The advert closes at 23:59 on the 28th August 2025 with interviews to follow.

An enhanced DBS ''Disclosure and Barring Service'' check for regulated activity (formerly known as CRB) and the Children''s and Adults'' Barred List checks will be required for this role.

Local Government Reorganisation

Surrey County Council is preparing for Local Government Reorganisation which will allow us to implement the Government led policy of devolution, which is all about giving more powers to local areas.

Currently, Surrey has a two-tier council system, with 11 district and borough councils and a county council, all responsible for different services. All these councils will be reorganised into a smaller number of new unitary councils which will come into effect in April 2027. At this point, this role will be transferred, with all existing terms and conditions intact into one of the new unitary councils.

Join our dynamic team and shape the future of local government. Make a lasting impact with innovative solutions and improved services for our community. Help us build a brighter future for our residents!

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applicants where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.