Targeted Youth Worker

Targeted Youth Worker

Help young people overcome barriers, build resilience and achieve positive change.

Grade: £33,066 - £35,533 per annum (JNC 14-17)
Contract: 12 Months Secondment 
Closing date: 23rd November 2026 

About the role

We are looking for an experienced and motivated Targeted Youth Worker to provide relationship-based, trauma-informed support to young people who may be experiencing multiple challenges. You will work with young people individually and in groups, meeting them in the places and at the times that best support meaningful engagement.

You will complete strengths-based assessments, agree clear plans with young people and coordinate targeted interventions that reduce risk, increase protective factors and improve outcomes. Working closely with families, schools, social care, health, police and community partners, you will help young people access the right support and make sustained progress.

Key responsibilities

• Build trusted, consistent and professional relationships with young people.
• Undertake assessments and develop outcome-focused plans with young people and, where appropriate, their families.
• Deliver purposeful one-to-one, group and outreach sessions tailored to identified needs and risks.
• Support young people affected by issues such as school exclusion, exploitation, serious youth violence, offending, poor emotional wellbeing or family difficulties.
• Use assertive outreach and flexible approaches to engage young people who may be reluctant to access services.
• Work in partnership with statutory and voluntary-sector services, contributing to multi-agency meetings and coordinated plans.
• Maintain timely, accurate and confidential case records, monitor progress and evidence impact.
• Identify, respond to and escalate safeguarding concerns in line with policy and statutory guidance.
• Promote participation, ensuring young people’s views shape their plans and the development of services.

About you

You will bring sound youth work practice, professional curiosity and the ability to remain calm and purposeful in complex situations. You will be able to balance positive engagement with effective challenge, maintain clear boundaries and keep the young person’s voice at the centre of your work.

You will need:

• A recognised JNC youth work qualification, or a relevant equivalent professional qualification.
• Experience of delivering targeted youth work with adolescents experiencing vulnerability, risk or disadvantage.
• Strong assessment, planning and case-management skills, with the ability to identify risk and measure progress.
• A good understanding of safeguarding, contextual safeguarding, adolescent development and trauma-informed practice.
• Experience of working effectively with families and professionals across education, social care, health, policing and the voluntary sector.
• Excellent communication and engagement skills, including the ability to work with young people who may be reluctant to engage.
• The ability to manage competing priorities, maintain accurate records and work safely with appropriate professional boundaries.
• Flexibility to work evenings and occasional weekends in response to young people’s needs.

What we offer

You will join a supportive, multi-disciplinary service committed to relationship-based practice and better outcomes for young people. The role offers varied and meaningful work, regular supervision, opportunities for professional development and the chance to help shape responsive local support.

How to apply

If you are passionate about building trusted relationships with young people and helping them achieve safer, more positive futures, we would welcome your application. Please use your supporting statement to demonstrate how your experience, knowledge and skills meet the requirements of the role. Please apply on Fusion.

IMPORTANT: If you are an LBN member of staff and applying for this role as a secondment you should note that secondments are subject to the agreement of your current employing service. Please ensure that you inform your line manager of your intention to apply for the post in the first instance.

Please view JD here

Additional Information

We are committed to creating an inclusive, anti-racist environment for all. When you apply for a job at Newham, your application is considered on its merits regardless of your age, disability, ethnicity, faith, gender identity or sexual orientation. If you share our vision and values, and you bring the experience and skills we need, that’s all that matters to us.

The London Borough of Newham has important responsibilities for safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. If you are appointed to a job that involves working with these groups, you may be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Please attach your supporting statement, explaining in no more than x2 A4 sides why and how you meet the criteria for this role.

The personal information we have collected from you will be shared with Cifas who will use it to prevent fraud, other unlawful or dishonest conduct, malpractice, and other seriously improper conduct. If any of these are detected you could be refused certain services or employment. Your personal information will also be used to verify your identity. Further details of how your information will be used by us and Cifas, and your data protection rights, can be found by https://www.cifas.org.uk/fpn.