Youth Protector

As a youth protector at a specialized youth care organization, you have a crucial coordinating role in collaborating with families, chain partners, and other important stakeholders. In this meaningful role, you monitor whether the situation remains stable or improves. And if it deteriorates, you intervene to ensure children can always grow up as safely as possible.

• Guide and direct: You have an eye for what families need, conduct firm conversations, and offer clear guidance. Complex problems and other challenging cases are more the rule than the exception.
• Balance: Your work involves balancing physical presence with families and updating files. You have direct contact with people and ensure all information is well-documented for follow-up.
• Collaborate: You interact frequently with colleagues and chain partners such as municipalities, the police, the Public Prosecution Service, and other parties like educational institutions. Together, you ensure an effective approach and that everyone can contribute optimally from their role.

The team consists of smaller core teams of 5-8 youth protectors with whom you work closely. Colleagues are jointly involved in casework, brainstorming, and supporting each other. We continuously work on quality development, following training at cluster and team level. The team meets at the office once every two weeks for case discussions, team, and work meetings. The team is characterized by solidarity and commitment, with colleagues from diverse backgrounds and talents.

During the initial period, you will work with an onboarding mentor from your team. A practice coach is also assigned to each team to provide substantive support in all process steps and offer various tools to improve your work. You will receive good guidance and gradually grow into an independent caseload. After approximately 9-12 months, you will be a fully-fledged youth protector and able to function independently.

What they ask

• A completed Bachelor's degree, such as Social Work, MWD, Pedagogy.
• Registration in the SKJ register.
• Minimum of 3 years of experience working with families and/or youth (experience in another field with complex issues is a plus).
• Energy, courage, and perseverance: You are not deterred by challenging situations and find satisfaction in achieving small results, even in difficult circumstances.
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written: You can conduct firm conversations, connect at the right moments, and are able to write clear petitions and other documents.
• In possession of a driving license.

Practical aspects. The organization is committed to families who cannot cope on their own. Help and support are offered to children with an (intellectual) disability or chronic illness and children of parents with a disability. Many clients experience complex problems. A disability is lifelong and affects all areas of life. This involves home situations where serious parenting problems have arisen, or where a young person has come into contact with juvenile criminal law.

The request for help and the help itself require a tailor-made approach.