Youth and Family Help Practitioner (2 Posts)

Youth & Family Help Practitioner 2 Posts – North & South of County

Make a Difference to Young People's Futures

Are you passionate about helping young people achieve positive outcomes and supporting them into education, employment and training?

We are seeking two highly motivated Youth & Family Help Practitioners to join our Family Help Service, with one post supporting the North of the county and one supporting the South of the county. These roles will play a critical part in improving outcomes for young people who are at risk of becoming, or are currently, Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET). The successful candidates will be instrumental in supporting the county's ambition to reduce NEET figures and increase participation in education, employment and training opportunities. The role includes offering information and support to young people who are NEET and ensuring education and employment destinations are accurately recorded and reported

About the Role

This is an exciting opportunity for practitioners who understand the challenges facing vulnerable young people and can build positive relationships that inspire change.

Working within an established Family Help service, you will:

• Provide targeted support to young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming NEET.
• Work alongside schools, colleges, training providers, employers and partner agencies to improve participation and progression opportunities.
• Deliver information, advice and guidance sessions with young people.
• Support young people to access education, employment, training and wider positive activities.
• Track progress, maintain accurate records and monitor outcomes to evidence impact.
• Work with children, young people and families, including those experiencing complex personal, emotional and practical challenges.
• Contribute to wider Family Help and early intervention services, including parenting and family support programmes.

Who We're Looking For

We are particularly interested in candidates who have:

✅ Significant knowledge and experience of working with NEET young people

✅ A strong understanding of the barriers preventing young people from engaging in education, employment and training

✅ Experience of providing careers, employability, participation or progression support

✅ Proven experience of engaging vulnerable, hard-to-reach or disengaged young people

✅ Experience of working in partnership with schools, colleges, training providers and employers

✅ Excellent recording, reporting and performance-monitoring skills

✅ A passion for improving life chances and achieving positive outcomes for young people

Essential Requirements

You will ideally have:

• Experience working with children, young people and families within Children's Services or a related setting.
• Experience providing information, advice and guidance on employment, education and personal development matters.
• Strong assessment, communication and relationship-building skills.
• A working knowledge of safeguarding practices and procedures.
• A relevant Level 3 qualification in Youth Work, Health & Social Care, Children and Young People's Workforce, Early Years or a related subject.

Why Join Us?

This is your opportunity to make a tangible difference to the lives of young people across our communities. You will join a dedicated and supportive team committed to helping young people overcome barriers, achieve their ambitions and develop brighter futures.

If you have the skills, knowledge and determination to drive improvements in NEET outcomes and support young people to succeed, we would love to hear from you.

Please note: Given the strategic focus of these posts, applications from candidates with demonstrable NEET experience, participation knowledge and a track record of improving education, employment and training outcomes will be particularly welcomed.

Provisional Interview Date: 24 November 2026

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children. Due to this post having access to children and/or vulnerable adults, the successful candidate will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service check. The possession of a criminal record will not necessarily prevent an applicant from obtaining this post, as all cases are judged individually according to the nature of the role and information provided. Click here to see our policy on criminal background checks.

Apply now and take the first step towards a fulfilling career with us! By joining Derbyshire County Council you will have access to a range of amazing rewards and employee benefits, including our generous annual leave scheme, excellent local government pension and fantastic employee discounts. To discover more detail about the rewards and benefits available to you, click here

CS1

We welcome applications from individuals who share our values — being Collaborative, Innovative, Empowered and Accountable. These values describe who we are and what we stand for as a council. They help shape our culture, encourage consistent behaviour and guide how we work together to make a positive difference for both our employees and the residents we serve.