Targeted Youth Worker
About the job
Salary: £36,363 - £39,152 a year plus £963 essential car user allowance
Hours per week: 37
Contract type: Permanent
Make a Real Difference in Young Lives – Join Our Youth Intervention Team
Luton Council is seeking a passionate, resilient, and experienced Targeted Youth Worker to join our dedicated team. You will play a pivotal role in prevention and early intervention work, supporting vulnerable and at-risk young people aged 10 to 18 across the borough.
This is more than a job – it’s a chance to transform lives, reduce risk, and provide young people with the tools and support they need to thrive.
As a Targeted Youth Worker, you will:
- Deliver tailored early interventions through one-to-one and group work with young people who are disaffected, underachieving, or facing social and emotional barriers.
- Lead multi-agency planning by acting as the Lead Professional, working collaboratively with schools, social care, police, health and other partners.
- Design and deliver evidence-based personal and social development programmes with a whole family approach.
- Build and sustain trusting relationships with disengaged young people and their families, providing consistent, non-judgemental support.
Key Responsibilities
- Engage with young people in a multi-ethnic, urban environment, using youth work principles and creative approaches.
- Contribute to early help assessments and work with families as part of Team Around the Family.
- Use data and observations to assess needs, plan interventions and track positive outcomes.
- Maintain up-to-date case records and reports using ICT tools.
- Provide on-the-ground presence including outreach and street-based youth work in local communities.
Please note this role does not attract sponsorship.
About you
You Will Bring
- A JNC-recognised professional youth work qualification or equivalent.
- Significant experience working with vulnerable children and young people (10–18) in statutory and/or voluntary youth settings.
- Deep understanding of issues affecting young people including:
- Anti-social behaviour, exploitation, youth offending
- Sexual health, mental health, substance misuse
- Domestic abuse, neglect, radicalisation, gang involvement, missing episodes, and the “toxic trio”
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written), with the ability to influence and professionally challenge.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a multi-agency team, with a reflective, resilient, and outcomes-focused approach.
- A clear understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and equal opportunities in a diverse community.
Additional Requirements
- Able to work up to 4 evenings per week and alternating weekends.
- Willing and able to travel across Luton and work in a range of community and outreach settings.
- Comfortable with outdoor and street-based youth engagement.
Why Join Luton Council?
- Work in a forward-thinking council committed to early intervention and child-centred approaches.
- Be part of a passionate team who value your voice and expertise.
- Access to ongoing professional development and support.
- Play a key role in improving outcomes for some of the borough’s most vulnerable young people.
Ready to Be the Difference?
Apply now and help us empower the next generation of Luton’s young people.
About us
Our ambitious Luton 2040 Vision – that no-one in Luton will have to live in poverty – is at the heart of everything we do. We recognise that our people are remarkable, talented, committed and passionate about serving our residents.
The people of Luton depend heavily on this council – and that means our workforce! Are you ready to realise the remarkable and help us deliver our vision?
We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a workforce that reflects the diversity of our borough
Application Process
Because of the nature of this job, it will be necessary for the appropriate level of criminal record disclosure to be undertaken. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore applicants are required to declare all unspent cautions and convictions; and also any adult cautions (simple or conditional), and spent convictions that are not protected as defined by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2020). A person’s criminal record will not in itself prevent a person from being appointed to this post. Applicants will not be refused posts because of offences which are not relevant to, and do not place them at or make them a risk in, the role for which they are applying. However in the event of the employment being taken up, any failure to disclose such offence, as detailed above, will result in dismissal or disciplinary action by the Authority.
On occasions, we may close a vacancy early due to a very high number of applications being received.
Benefits
We offer a range of excellent staff benefits which include:
- From 25 to 32 days’ annual leave: linked to length of service and grade
- Buying annual leave scheme: buy up to 20 days additional annual leave
- Career Pathways: step up in your career or move into a specialist area
- Pension scheme: with generous employer contributions of up to 20.2 per cent (at July 2023) and 3x salary death in service grant
- Generous relocation package: up to £8,000 (subject to eligibility)
- Employee Assistance Programme: a free, 24/7 confidential counselling and wellbeing support service available to all employees, their partner or spouse and dependent children over 16 still living at home
- Work/life balance: flexible working options including working from home where possible. We welcome requests for flexible working arrangements including part-time hours and alternative working patterns
- Training and support: unlimited access to development courses, mentoring and support and clear career pathways
- Staff offers: includes discounts on your MOT, gym and fitness, restaurants and salons
- Arriva Travel Club: great value savings on local bus travel
How to apply
We understand that job applications take time and effort, but a high-quality application shows that you are professional with a good attention to detail. The recruiting manager may receive a number of applications for each job advertised so you want yours to stand out!
Our ‘How to apply' page has more tips to help with your application: How to apply
Available documents
Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.Salary range
- £36,363 - £39,152 per year