Youth Practitioner

About Nudge Education

For over 10 years, Nudge Education has been driven by a single purpose: ensuring every child can live A* Life Worth Living. Across the UK, thousands of young people face significant barriers to accessing and engaging with education, with approximately 168,000 young people in England alone experiencing severe absence*. Through our tailored interventions, trauma-informed practices, and our core cornerstones, we empower vulnerable learners to reconnect, rebuild confidence, and thrive outside mainstream settings.

Powered by our dedicated services, Nudge Education, Nudge Minds and Nudge Education Online (NEO), we deliver alternative education and engagement strategies that meet students exactly where they are, reimagining what educational support looks like.

About the Role

We are seeking compassionate, creative, and resilient practitioners to deliver personalised, 1:1 and 2:1 support for children and young people with SEN, SEMH, and complex needs. This is a dynamic, community-based role operating outside standard classrooms, giving you the creative freedom to design safe, engaging, and meaningful learning experiences bespoke to the individual student.

What You’ll Be Doing (A Day in the Life)

• Tailored Interventions: Deliver engaging, personalised 1:1 and/or 2:1 sessions in community settings, homes, or online.
• Relationship Building: Establish trusting, consistent relationships grounded in trauma-informed care, de-escalation, and emotional regulation strategies.
• Progress & Safeguarding: Monitor student engagement, maintain accurate case records, complete risk assessments, and report safeguarding details promptly.
• Collaborative Working: Partner closely with families, carers, regional support teams, and external specialists to align on goals.

Who We’re Looking For

You don't need a traditional teaching background to change a life. We welcome candidates from youth work, mainstream or alternative education (QTS/QTLS or TA/LSA), healthcare, social care, coaching, or uniformed services.

You are someone who:

• Demonstrates deep empathy, emotional intelligence, and natural adaptability.
• Thrives on building trust and rapport with disengaged young people navigating sensory, communication, or emotional barriers.
• Brings a calm, de-escalating, and non-judgmental approach when responding to challenging or distressed behaviours.
• Champions a child-centred practice, placing the young person's safeguarding, dignity, and wellbeing at the core of your work.
• Maintains perspective and resilience, staying patient and grounded when progress is gradual.

Essential Requirements

• Minimum 2 years experience supporting children or young people with SEN, SEMH, ASD, ADHD, or complex needs.
• Proven understanding of trauma-informed practice, de-escalation, and safeguarding.
• Full UK driving licence with access to a reliable vehicle (and willingness to obtain business car insurance).
• Ability to commit to a minimum of 3 days per week / flexible commitment during daytime hours to maintain consistency for young people.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Willing to Undertake Personal Care on some interventions.

Is Nudge Right for You?

Making a real difference takes resilience. In this role, you’ll work independently in the community, travel between sessions, and hold space for young people navigating distress and dysregulation. If you are self-driven, emotionally grounded, and ready to work autonomously with reliable team backing, you’ll find this role immensely rewarding.

What Can You Expect from Nudge?

At Nudge we pride ourselves in the market leading support we give to our network of professionals. You keep a dedicated support team behind you. We invest in your personal and professional growth:

• Career Progression: You’ve got the opportunities to grow within your role through L&D or into core roles like Education Intervention Coordinator, Assistant Regional Lead, Regional Lead, etc.
• Free Professional Development: Comprehensive CPD programmes, trauma-informed training, and de-escalation workshops.
• Nudge Perks Platform: Access to store discounts across 900+ retailers, plus savings at pubs and restaurants nationwide.
• Health & Wellbeing: Mental health support, online GP access, Mental Health First Aiders, and neurodiversity-friendly communication and environments.
• Financial & Lifestyle Benefits: Free mortgage & financial advice, Blue Light Card eligibility, and a generous Refer-a-Friend scheme.
• Community Connection: Access to regional and national connectivity calendars, peer-to-peer recognition initiatives, and local team meet-ups.

Practicalities

• Pay Rate: £16.48–£25.75 per hour (depending on role specification and experience) + agreed travel expenses and admin time.
• Working Pattern: Monday-Friday, daytime hours (flexible patterns available, minimum commitment required).
• Employment Type: Zero hour contract - PAYE only.

Applying

Ready to join an impact-driven community and help disengaged young people thrive? Click Apply to submit your CV. Our Talent Partner Team will reach out and give you more details on how the interview and onboarding process works on our end.

Equality & Inclusion

Nudge Education is an equal opportunity employer committed to building an inclusive culture. Due to the specific needs of some young people, there may be occasions where we recruit practitioners of a particular gender as a lawful Occupational Requirement under the Equality Act 2010.

Safeguarding

We are strictly committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable young people. All appointments are subject to safer recruitment checks, including enhanced DBS clearance, references, and full compliance vetting.

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