Youth Practitioner

Do you have a passion for supporting young people to achieve the best possible outcomes in life? Are you ready to make a real difference by helping prevent care escalation, placement breakdowns, or facilitating placement step-downs? Join us as a Youth Practitioner, where every day is an opportunity to inspire, support, and empower.

As part of a dynamic team, you’ll provide direct care within residential settings and community-based interventions for young people on the edge of care or in foster placements. You’ll play a vital role in building relationships, delivering tailored support, and fostering life skills that equip young people to thrive.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Is resilient, empathetic, and skilled in forming meaningful connections with young people and families.
• Can deliver proactive, solution-focused interventions while celebrating individuality and diversity.
• Thrives in a flexible role that includes evenings, weekends, and sleep-in duties, ensuring consistent support.

You’ll need to hold or be willing to gain a QCF Level 3 Diploma in Health and Social Care (or equivalent) and have a commitment to continuous development.

At Dorset Council, we are working together to create a fairer, more prosperous, and more sustainable Dorset for everyone, now and in the future.

We: 

• provide essential services that support over 380,000 residents 
• work in partnership to make a real difference 
• value every role and the impact it has on our communities 
• support our employees to grow, develop, and thrive 

You will: 

• be part of a team that works together for a better Dorset 
• have access to a range of benefits and support 
• have access to range of training opportunities which will help with your personal development and career progression 

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation where different skills, perspectives, and backgrounds strengthen both our council and the communities we serve. 

We welcome applications from everyone and are proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. If you declare a disability and meet the essential criteria for the role, we will offer you an interview. We also want our recruitment process to be accessible. If you need any reasonable adjustments, just let us know on your application. 

This role is UK-based, and we will need to confirm your Right to Work as part of the appointment process. We use generic job descriptions and person specifications, so the job title in any attachments may differ from the advert. If needed, we will provide additional details in a context statement. 

If you’re passionate about making a difference, we’d love you to join us. 

Find out more about how to apply.