Socio-Educational Knife Crime Deterrence Worker (12 month contract)

Job Introduction

Starting salary for this role is £34, 434 (pro rata for part-time colleagues) Band 8

This is currently a 12-month contract funded by OPCC . Due to this, there is potential for this role to be extended at the end of the contract.

This role sits within a well defined pay band, offering clear progression as you grow your career at BCP. Without exception all new starters begin at the entry point of the band, ensuring fairness and consistency across the organisation. Be part of a forward thinking workplace where you’re supported to grow and you can truly #BeTheDifference at BCP.

Internal colleagues are also normally appointed at the bottom of the band, unless moving within the same profession and skill level, where the pay band is the same they can be appointed to the existing pay point.

Learn more in our ‘More than just a job’ brochure on our careers site.

Role Purpose

As a Socio-Educational Knife Crime Deterrence Worker, you will provide targeted, relationship-based intervention primarily based within schools to children and young people who are identified as being at increased risk of carrying or using knives, becoming involved in serious violence, or being affected by exploitation and associated criminal activity.

You will use a trauma-informed, strengths-based and restorative approach to engage young people, challenge attitudes and behaviours associated with violence and weapon carrying and support them to make safer and more positive choices.

Your role will combine one-to-one interventions, socio-educational work, outreach, practical activity, group work, working closely with young people, families, schools, youth services, police, youth justice, safeguarding services, health services and voluntary and community organisations.

As a Socio-Educational Knife Crime Deterrence Worker will contribute to a focused deterrence approach by providing timely intervention with children and young people identified through referrals, professional intelligence or other appropriate information as being at risk of involvement in knife crime or serious violence.

Main Responsibilities

The core purpose, grade and evaluated factors of the generic role profile remain unchanged. The addendum clarifies how the role is applied within Children's Services to support the prevention of knife crime, serious violence, exploitation and youth offending.

• Deliver targeted, relationship-based interventions primarily within schools and community settings to children and young people identified as being at increased risk of carrying or using knives, becoming involved in serious violence, or experiencing exploitation and associated criminal activity.
• Use trauma-informed, strengths-based and restorative approaches to engage young people, challenge harmful attitudes and behaviours, and support safer and more positive life choices.
• Deliver structured socio-educational programmes and group work exploring:
  • knife carrying and weapon-related harm;
  • consequences of serious violence and offending;
  • peer pressure and positive relationships;
  • conflict resolution and emotional regulation;
  • exploitation, criminal exploitation and county lines;
  • online influences and harmful social media content;
  • decision-making, personal responsibility and positive aspirations.

• Adapt interventions to the age, maturity, communication needs and individual circumstances of young people.
• Work within a focused deterrence framework, collaborating with partner agencies to identify children and young people who would benefit from early intervention.
• Contribute to multi-agency plans designed to reduce the risk of violence, exploitation and offending.
• Build positive relationships with schools, youth services, police, youth justice, safeguarding services, health services and voluntary and community organisations.
• Undertake outreach activities in schools, community venues, youth provision settings and other appropriate locations.
• Promote positive activities and pathways including education, training, employment, volunteering, mentoring, sports, arts and community engagement.
• Maintain a strong safeguarding focus by identifying and responding to concerns relating to exploitation, county lines, missing episodes, serious violence, peer-on-peer abuse and other contextual safeguarding risks.
• Attend safeguarding meetings, strategy discussions and multi-agency forums as required.
• Ensure information is shared appropriately and promptly in line with safeguarding requirements, data protection legislation and organisational policies.
• Maintain accurate and timely records of interventions, assessments, plans and outcomes.
• Monitor and evaluate intervention effectiveness, capturing both qualitative and quantitative evidence of impact.
• Identify emerging risks, trends and gaps in provision and communicate these appropriately to managers and partner agencies.
• Work under the direction of the Team Manager or Assistant Team Manager and participate in supervision, reflective practice and performance review processes.
• Promote equality, diversity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of service delivery.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum NVQ Level 4 in a related field or equivalent relevant experience.
• Experience of working directly with children, young people or young adults in youth work, education, community safety, youth justice, social care, early help or a related setting.
• Experience of engaging vulnerable young people, including those reluctant to engage or displaying challenging behaviour.
• Experience of building effective and trusting professional relationships with young people.
• Experience of delivering interventions that improve outcomes for children, young people and families.
• Experience of collaborative multi-agency working.
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and monitoring outcomes.

Knowledge and Understanding

• Good understanding of the factors contributing to knife carrying and serious violence.
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection and contextual safeguarding.
• Understanding of exploitation, criminal exploitation and county lines.
• Understanding of the impact of trauma, adverse childhood experiences, peer pressure and social influences on behaviour.
• Understanding of strengths-based and positive youth work approaches.
• Knowledge of professional boundaries, confidentiality and information sharing requirements.
• Working knowledge of relevant legislation and statutory guidance relating to children and young people.

Skills and Abilities

• Excellent communication, listening and engagement skills.
• Ability to establish rapport with young people from diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to challenge inappropriate attitudes and behaviours constructively and positively.
• Ability to deliver engaging and age-appropriate socio-educational interventions.
• Ability to work effectively with a range of partner agencies and stakeholders.

Other Requirements

• Enhanced DBS Check.
• Ability to travel across the BCP area using own transport.
• Strong commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Interviews to be held 5th and 6th of October 2026.

Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.

At BCP Council, inclusion is more than a promise – it’s how we work.

We’re committed to providing a fully inclusive recruitment process ensuring every candidate and colleague has the support and reasonable adjustments they need to thrive.

From the moment you apply, through the recruitment process and throughout your career with us, we’ll be here to listen and provide the help and support you need.

It’s why we’re proud to be a Disability Confident Employer – and why you can trust that we’ll always do our best to make your experience positive and accessible.

If you require any reasonable adjustments or support during the recruitment process, please let us know when you apply or contact us directly – we’re here to help. For further information on the accessibility support we can offer please see here: Preparing for your interview | Working for BCP

About BCP Council

BCP Council provides services to a diverse community of 400,000 residents and employs more than 5,000 people. Our area includes over 15 miles of beautiful world-renowned coastline. We can offer career defining roles to transform and improve services. By working with us, you can help deliver a vision of a thriving, world-class, prosperous and inclusive place for generations to come.

Our Benefits

A Place to Thrive – Join BCP Council

At BCP Council, we’re not just building a workforce— we’re transforming how we recognise and reward our people.

Check out our attractive enhanced benefits and find out more about the new Pay and Reward package at Employee benefits | Working for BCP

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DBS

BCP Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of the community and expects all staff and volunteers to share the same commitment. Applicants to this post will be required to complete the appropriate level of Disclosure & Barring Service Check.