Job Introduction
2x Youth Work Advanced Practitioner – Adolescent Pathway
Department: Early Help & Transformation
Service: Targeted Youth Support (Breaking the Cycle)
About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Youth Work Advanced Practitioner to join the leadership team within Breaking the Cycle as part of Targeted Youth Support Services.
This role is central to developing and embedding high-quality, youth work-led practice across the Adolescent Pathway, working within a multi-disciplinary team—supporting youth work staff to deliver impactful interventions that prevent escalation into care.
Why This Role Matters
Breaking the Cycle is well known for its innovative responses and work with children who are in need of help and support, this role is fundamental in changing how we respond to adolescents and families moving away from crisis-driven decision making towards relational, preventative support.
As an Advanced Practitioner leading a team of youth workers, you will:
- Lead practice that keeps young people safely at home wherever possible
- Develop trauma-informed, restorative, needs-led approaches
- Champion youth work practice and principles in a multi-agency system
- Help reduce reliance on care as a default response
What You’ll Do
- Provide practice leadership and oversight for complex adolescent cases
- Ensure all children and young people receive intensive interventions by a team of youth work practitioners who are flexible and tenacious in their approach
- Model high-quality direct work with young people and families
- Support decision-making to ensure care is a last resort
- Work across partners to embed youth-centred, relational practice
- Coach and mentor Youth Workers within Targeted Youth Support (TYS)
- Contribute to the continued development of the TYS offer within Breaking the Cycle
About You
You are an experienced youth work practitioner who:
- Has a strong background in youth work and adolescent services
- Is highly skilled in working with complex family dynamics
- Can evidence strong safeguarding principles and complex risk management
- Experience in staff line management
- Has experience developing and supporting practitioners working with children and young people
- Can lead with confidence while maintaining a strong focus on direct work with young people that is of a high quality
- Is committed to system change and improving outcomes for adolescents
You’ll also be joining an organisation that truly values its people, offering a range of benefits designed to support your wellbeing, growth, and work-life balance, including:
- Enhanced annual leave entitlement: 31 days rising to 34 with service (plus bank holidays)
- Excellent local Government pension
- Competitive salary and pay progression structure
- Supportive carer and parental policies
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
- Access to Occupational Health and confidential counselling services
- Supportive staff networks
- Access to Blue Light Card discounts, including cost of living support
- Professional development/support and opportunities career progression
Bradford Children and Families Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.
If shortlisted, you will be required to disclose relevant information regarding criminal history prior to interview.
A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check including a check against the Children’s barred list, will be carried out on preferred candidates.
To arrange an informal discussion, please contact Heather Wilson on 07582100692 & Heather.wilson@bradfordcft.org.uk
Closing Date: 28th June
Interviews: tbc
If you are passionate about making a difference and possess the resilience and initiative required for this critical work, we encourage you to apply.
