Youth Outreach Worker (London)

We believe in a world where no child ever has to live on the streets.

Looking for a rewarding role where you can make a difference? Do you have the drive to create positive change in children’s lives and inspire others to do the same?

If the answer is yes, then read on to hear about this exciting opportunity.

We’re Railway Children, an international charity working to create long-lasting change for street-connected children and young people in the UK, India and Tanzania. Founded in 1996, we’ve dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for vulnerable children and their families. As we embark on our new strategy to 2027, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work.

About the role

We are looking to recruit a Youth Outreach Worker in London for a new role within our UK Safeguarding on Transport Programme. This is a 12-month outreach pilot engaging and safeguarding young people in and around Waterloo Station, helping identify and safeguard young people under 18 years at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown. This role does involve working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.

You will be working to identify and  safeguard young people alongside trained volunteers and by engaging with key partners such as Southwestern Railway (SWR) Met Police, Southbank Staff, Train Operators, Youth Service and other local stakeholders.

You’ll play a key role in the development of our UK Programme and part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s programme in the UK.

What we offer

As well as helping some of the world’s most vulnerable children and young people, we offer some great perks:

• Time out. You’ll start with 25 days holiday per year to recharge the batteries. After three years, this will increase by an extra day per year until you reach a relaxing 30 days leave.
• Pension. We offer a pension contribution of 6% of annual salary.
• Birthday leave and ‘Railway Children Day’. You’ll get two additional days of annual leave in your birthday month and around Christmas time.
• A culture we’re proud of. Driven by our CEO, family values are at the heart of our culture and make Railway Children an incredible place to work.
• Flexible working environment and home working. It’s one of the reasons why our staff retention is so impressive!

What we’re looking for

You will have experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people and families as well as experience of working in an outreach or similar setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.

Alongside this you will be able to work effectively with partners to safeguard young people, who can work with 3rd sector groups and the local community.

You will have completed relevant training, experience in safeguarding and in the issues relevant to vulnerable young and families. Therefore, you will be an experienced practitioner with an excellent understanding of safeguarding processes and procedures, who is able to work creatively, independently and within professional boundaries.

A full person specification can be found in the job pack.

Application notes

Closing date: Sunday 16th June 2025 at 5pm

Due to the number of applications often received, only those to be invited for interview will be informed of the outcome of their application. Applicants who have not heard within two weeks of the closing date should assume they have been unsuccessful.

At Railway Children, we are committed to the safeguarding and protection of all those who come into contact with us in our work. We follow a range of procedures to ensure that only those who are suitable to work with children and vulnerable people are recruited to work for us. This post is subject to a range of background and reference checks including criminal records check.