Job file: Social Worker, young men’s project, barnardo’s

Who’s doing it? Christine Daniels.

Where? I’m based in central London and travel all
over the city.

Job description: We offer advice, support and
education to young men experiencing or at risk of sexual
exploitation, including abuse through prostitution and pornography.

Skills/qualifications needed: Qualification in
social work, youth/community work or education.

Pay: £24,000 – £29,000.

What’s the job like? Working in anti-sexual
exploitation can be emotionally difficult sometimes but also
satisfying. I get the opportunity to spend time with young people
and really get to know them and this is, by far, the best part of
my job. I always try to meet my young people over a meal or while
doing an activity as that way it is easier to get them engaging
with me. I love the fact that I can often be the one true constant
in their life.

Every day can be so different but in any given week I will visit
several young people for an hour or so each. I can go with them to
meetings with professionals, including child protection conferences
and looked-after children reviews.

We work closely with many other organisations and jointly run
services such as sexual health drop-ins. I am also busy with health
promotion events and information-gathering.

Giving presentations on sexual exploitation to young people is a
big part of my job. So is delivering training and awareness-raising
to professionals – so please invite us to a team meeting near
you!

We are currently developing a pilot programme of sexual
exploitation prevention work for 11 to 15-year-olds in schools and
in children’s homes. This is up and running in three south London
boroughs.