Youth Practitioner (Waking Nights) Hayeswood Bungalow

Dorset Council is dedicated to creating supportive environments where our children and young people can thrive. We’re looking for compassionate and enthusiastic Night Youth Practitioners to join our new short breaks service for children with disabilities in the Wimborne area, working 30 hours per week as part of a three week rolling rota.

• provide care and practical support within a welcoming residential setting
• work collaboratively with a committed and supportive staff
• promote young people's independence, social inclusion, and personal development
• be entitled to time and a third for night working

Our Priorities

We believe Dorset is the best place for our children. Our aims are to:

• provide excellent care and education opportunities
• enable children to achieve their full potential
• ensure our young people can thrive and have the best possible start in life

Your Responsibilities

As a Night Youth Practitioner, you will:

• create a safe and nurturing home-from-home environment
• support young people in their daily routines, personal care, and domestic duties
• act as an advocate for children, promoting their best interests
• work flexibly across weekday and weekend night shifts (we welcome discussions on shift patterns to suit your availability)

About You

We're looking for someone who is:

• kind, compassionate, and genuinely committed to improving young people's lives
• experienced in direct work with children and families, ideally with disabilities
• able to communicate effectively, build strong relationships, and work collaboratively within a team
• flexible, creative, and solution-focused in their approach
• skilled in using IT systems for recording and report writing
• knowledgeable about key childcare legislation
• ambitious for children’s outcomes and enthusiastic about continuous professional development
• either holding or willing to achieve a Level 3 qualification in Health and Social Care (or equivalent)

What We Offer

Joining Dorset Council, you’ll benefit from:

• being part of a supportive, inclusive, and aspirational team
• comprehensive training and development opportunities
• a commitment to investing in your professional growth
• a rewarding role where your contributions truly make a difference to children and young people's lives

Part-time (up to 36.6 hours per week) 30/20 hours per week may be considered for the right candidate/s on a three week rolling rota basis. Salary shown is full time equivalent based on 37 hours per week and you will also receive time and a third for night working. The role is based at Hayeswood Bungalow, Wimborne

This role covers waking night shifts, typically around 10 hours, including weekdays, weekends, and bank holidays. As a 24-hour service, we offer flexibility and welcome discussions about shift patterns that suit you, whether that's weekends only, part-time, or a different arrangement altogether.

Hayeswood is a new Dorset Council service with a friendly, forward-thinking, and supportive team. We provide a genuine home-from-home atmosphere, where reflective practice and openness help us continually improve, always placing young people’s wellbeing at the heart of everything we do.

You must also hold, or be happy to work towards the Level 3 Diploma for Residential Childcare, to be completed within two years of employment.

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.

This role is UK based and we will need to establish your Right to Work as part of the appointment process.

We use generic job descriptions and person specifications. This means the job title on any attachments may differ from the job title in the advert. We may provide specific information in a context statement if relevant.

Find out more about how to apply.