Male Child Sexual Exploitation

At YMCA DownsLink Group, our mission is to help children and young people have a fair chance to be who they want to be. We do this by providing a safe home, building life skills and self-confidence, and supporting emotional wellbeing and mental health. Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections - guide and shape how we show up for children and young people we support and for each other. YMCA What is Sexual Exploitation (WiSE) is our child sexual exploitation project which works with children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. Our primary focus of work is supporting young people affected by exploitation through raising awareness, education and empowerment. We have an exciting opportunity to join the WiSE team as a Male Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) Practitioner. This role involves providing specialist support, working across Sussex and Surrey to provide case work support and group interventions to boys and young men at risk of or experiencing sexual exploitation, as well as those exhibiting harmful sexual behaviour. You will deliver outreach sessions in various settings, collaborate with professionals to support interventions leading to prosecutions, and provide training on boys/young men and sexual exploitation. Due to the sensitive nature of the client group and in order to ensure that the young people feel safe, supported and understood, there is a genuine occupational requirement for the post holder to be male, as permitted under the Equality Act 2010. A full driving licence and access to a car are essential due to the wide geographic area covered by the service. You will be required to visit head office in Hove once a week for an anchor day. The other days will be across Sussex and Surrey in the community In delivering the role, the key responsibilities are: Carry a caseload of boys and young men identified as exhibiting harmful sexual behaviours and/or being sexually exploited Work collaboratively with other professionals to provide intensive and holistic support Maintain detailed case notes and contribute to reports Facilitate group work interventions in schools, accommodation projects and youth groups Deliver detached sessions in various settings to engage at-risk boys and young men Provide expertise and increase awareness of harmful sexual behaviour and sexual exploitation Contribute to WiSE Child Exploitation training and awareness campaigns About You – If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. Your skills and experiences may be more transferable than you think, and you could be exactly the person we are looking for. Experience and Knowledge: Proven experience in safeguarding young children Experience providing casework support to boys and young men Group work experience with young people Safeguarding children and young people at risk of serious harm Delivering and risk assessing outreach work with young people Knowledge of risks posed to vulnerable young people through sexual exploitation and harmful sexual behaviour Significant knowledge and understanding of boys and young men and their lives Qualifications: Qualification in Youth Work/Social Work or equivalent, or comparable experience working with vulnerable young people. CLOSING DATE: Sunday 4 January at midnight. We reserve the right to close this advert early if a successful candidate is found, so please submit your application as soon as possible. Successful candidates will already have the right to live and work in the UK without restrictions. We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment.  Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us. YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider.  YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider.