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.

Dorset has a comprehensive training programme which supports your professional growth and development. Whether you're experienced or just starting out, we will equip you with the skills, confidence, and qualifications to succeed.

We invest in your long-term development with a training offer that’s comprehensive, accredited, and tailored to you:

Professional qualifications

fully funded Level 3 Diploma in Childcare or the nationally recognised Level 4 Therapeutic Certificate in Childcare

support with Maths & English if needed

Core skills & induction

structured onboarding programme to help you settle in

safeguarding, trauma-informed care, and behaviour management

first aid and health & safety

Ongoing development

monthly reflective supervision and peer learning

access to e-learning, workshops, and specialist courses

specialist training in therapeutic care and attachment

deep dive into child development and neurodiversity

Career Progression

clear routes to Senior Youth Practitioner and Team Leader roles

leadership programmes, coaching, and mentoring

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.

This post requires significant travel. You must have a vehicle (or transport we deem suitable) available for use as needed.

This post involves working with children and/or vulnerable adults and/or having access to significant information about them. It will be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check. See our policy on the employment of ex-offenders .

At Dorset Council, it's not just about the work we do, it's about how we do it. Hear directly from our employees about what makes Dorset Council special in this short video:

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 300,000 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

receive training and development opportunities to help your career progress

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.