Hospital Based Youth Violence Intervention Practitioner

Company Description

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'. 

We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

In August 2024, Redthread became part of the Catch22 group. Both organisations share strongly aligned missions and values, and we have a successful history of collaboration. Redthread will continue to operate under its established brand.

For more information about the recruitment process, please check out the guidance for applicants on Catch22’s website.

Job Description

To be part of the youth work team at Redthread, with a primary focus on the Youth Violence Intervention Programme.

What does a Youth Intervention Practitioner do? Youth Intervention Practitioners use the principles and power of youth work in the setting of a busy emergency department. We meet young people who have experienced injury or trauma while they are in the hospital, and work alongside our clinical colleagues to offer them support at a time when they are feeling very vulnerable. Our first contact with the young person may be to offer them a drink, or to ring their parent, or to check they understand what’s happening to them. When their immediate medical needs have been met, we will talk to them some more and explain how we can support them.

We will do a safety plan with them before they leave the hospital. If a young person chooses to engage with us, we will then work with them for eight to twelve weeks on a plan of action that’s tailored to their needs. We work closely with the hospital safeguarding team every day and frequently have to escalate concerns. We contact any other agencies who know the young person so we’re not duplicating their work, and often arrange to meet them with the young person. We regularly have to strongly advocate for young people, for example with housing agencies.

We look for organisations who can work with them towards their longer-term goals and we do relational referrals, transferring the trust that young people have built with us. Youth Intervention Practitioners hold a caseload of young people, supported by their team leader, and need to be good at recording their work, and discussing and reflecting on their practice. We provide an intensive induction at the start of the role, ongoing training and CPD throughout your time at Redthread and fortnightly clinical supervision.

Our Youth Intervention Practitioners have to be courageous and tenacious, and because ours is a short intervention, we don’t always see first-hand the impact of our work. But we know from talking to the young people we work with that we make a huge difference. Our Youth Intervention Practitioners are resilient, able to work calmly in a challenging environment with young people experiencing trauma, injury or exploitation. They have a good level of self awareness, the ability to reflect on how the work is impacting them, and a willingness to engage in regular clinical supervision that helps them develop their practice and emotional literacy.

Qualifications

Desirable (but not essential): A degree-level qualification in social work, youth work, a social science, education or another relevant field.

Additional information

Location: Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Heartlands Hospital Birmingham and Birmingham Children's Hospital. With regular travel to other Redthread sites and offices when required.

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Salary: £26,302 per annum + benefits

Contract type: Permanent

How to Apply: Please see the Job pack for information on submitting your application and please note that the closing date for this opportunity is 1000 on Friday 4th of April.

Please note: If we receive a high number of applications, we reserve the right to close the advert before the closing date. Therefore, early applications are encouraged.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online interview with the Redthread team on Wednesday 9th April 2025
The second round of interviews will be held in person on Monday 14th April 2025

Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

We offer an enhanced Employee Assistance Programme, which provides free, 24/7 confidential helpline services (accessed either by phone and/or online) including structured counselling services and practical resources aimed to support your work-life balance. In addition, some aspects of the EAP service are also available to share with an employees’ dependants including their partner.

Cycle to Work Scheme

We offer a Cycle to Work scheme which enables savings on the cost of a new bike and accessories for employees wishing to cycle to work for all or part of their journey. Employees can sign up after one month’s service

Work-based learning and Professional Development

We aim to build a culture and environment for staff to learn, develop and achieve their full potential, whilst delivering services through a skilled and competent workforce. To achieve this, Redthread have a comprehensive staff training programme which provides individuals with resources, training and support to learn and develop their skills. We also encourage our staff to undertake work-based learning and provide support for continuous professional development, whilst helping staff achieve a work-life balance.

Workplace Pension Scheme

We offer membership of a workplace pension set up with The People's Pension, and employees are eligible to be auto enrolled after three months’service. The employee’s minimum pension contribution rate is currently 3%. Redthread’s contribution rate is 5% higher than the employee up to a maximum of 8%.

Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.