Return Home Interview Officer

Please apply online via the link provided. Please note, we do not accept CVs submitted without a fully completed online application form.

A Return Interview is an opportunity for children and young people to talk to someone independent (from where they live) about the reasons they were reported missing, where they have been, who they have been with and what they were doing. This is important to identify if the young person has been at risk during the time they were missing or are vulnerable to harm in any way and identify any support they might need to help keep them or others safe. The role will involve making referrals for support into other services and some out of Borough travel to ensure young people are offered interview in person.

Local authorities have a statutory duty to offer all young people who have been reported as missing to the police a return interview; interviews should be offered within 72 hours of them being returned ‘home’ or to a place of safety.

The reason for the 72-hour timescale is that, although not all missing young people are at risk of harm, until they have had the opportunity to discuss what happened and why, this may not be known.

Barnsley’s Targeted Youth Support Service are looking to recruit a new team member to join an existing and well established team of Return Home Interview Officers. Our ideal candidate would be someone who is passionate about working with young people who may be vulnerable, someone with tenacity and who has a passion and personality for engaging with young people who may be reluctant to service involvement as part of Barnsley’s multi agency safeguarding procedures.