Upstream Practitioner

Overview

1 Permanent Full-Time role (52 weeks), 37.5 hours per week

1 Permanent Term-Time role (41 weeks total, 39 term time plus 2 additional weeks), 37.5 hours per week

Term-Time salary – £20,173 - £24,632 (plus paid annual leave)

Location:
The Bourne Academy, Hadow Rd, Bournemouth BH10 5HS

Closing Date:
3rd February 2026

Interviews will be held w/c
9th February 2026

Please note, this role may close earlier than advertised if we receive a high number of strong applications, so early application is encouraged.

Centrepoint, the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, is looking for two passionate and proactive Upstream Practitioner’s to join our Team based in Bournemouth.

Centrepoint is the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity. We help vulnerable young people by giving them the practical and emotional support they need to find a job and live independently. We provide homeless young people with accommodation, mental health support and life skills in order to get them back into education, training and employment. We want to end youth homelessness by 2037.

Together with our partners, we support over 16,000 young people each year.

We have two permanent Upstream Practitioner roles available, which are both school based and are part of our policy and prevention directorate. They will report to the Senior Upstream Practitioner and as a team, you will play a key role in our pre-16 prevention pilot, helping to identify and address the root causes of youth homelessness.

We have one full-time role and one term-time role available. Both roles are 37.5 hours per week and will be based in The Bourne Academy. The full-time role is working over 52 weeks and includes annual leave entitlement in line with Centrepoint’s policy. The term-time role is working over 41 weeks per year (39 weeks during term time plus 2 additional weeks).

This role does not include annual leave. Instead, the annual leave is paid in addition to the salary.

The successful candidates will need to be available week commencing 23rd March Monday to Friday in Manchester, to undertake Level 4 mediation training with UK Mediation. All expenses will be paid for by Centrepoint.

Delivering a school-based early intervention programme aimed at preventing youth homelessness

Administering the Upstream Survey to students aged 11–16 to help identify hidden risk factors

Managing and maintaining a caseload of young people, carrying out holistic assessments to understand their wellbeing, relationships, and home life, working proactively with them and their families before issues escalate to crisis point

Leading and delivering workshops and providing early intervention support focused on emotional wellbeing, resilience, healthy relationships, and independent living skills

Working closely with schools, families, and community services to support sustained positive outcomes

Collecting, monitoring, and recording impact data to track progress and support continuous improvement

Experience supporting children, young people, and families in a preventative or early intervention context

Excellent communication skills and the ability to build trusted relationships with young people, families, and professionals

Strong skills in completing risk assessments and managing safeguarding concerns and be committed to safeguarding and trauma-informed practices

Knowledge of local services and referral pathways

Ability to work independently within a school-based environment while collaborating with partner agencies

Interest in using data and evaluation to inform and improve practice

A relevant qualification or experience in Family Support, Mediation, Social Work, or a related field is desirable

In return for your efforts, you’ll receive a competitive salary, excellent training and development, and a host of staff benefits including:

25 days of annual leave per year, rising by one day per year to a maximum of 27 days. Term-time roles do not include annual leave. Instead, the annual leave is paid in addition to the salary.

Healthcare cash plan (Cover the costs of a wide range of medical treatment including Dental, Optical,…