The Cafe jobs in Bournemouth

Job Title: Relief Child Contact Centre Practitioner

Location: Bournemouth

Employment Type: Relief

Working Hours: Hours available 7 days a week between 08:30 and 18:30, with most hours available at weekends. Weekly rotas are agreed in advance.

Hourly Rate: £12.71 per hour

Application Closing Date: 25th September 2026

About Us

YMCA Bournemouth is part of a global organisation making a meaningful difference at a local level across Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole. We are committed to delivering inclusive, diverse, and forward-thinking services that respond to the needs of our community. Our work focuses on key areas including Housing and Support, Family and Relationships, Youth Work, Training and Education, and Health and Wellbeing. Through these services, we aim to empower individuals to reach their full potential in mind, body, and spirit.

People choose to work for us because they want to make a difference in the lives of vulnerable adults, children, young people and families, while working in an environment that supports them to do so.

About the Role

We are seeking a Relief Child Contact Centre Practitioner to join our Child Contact Centre team and support children and families to maintain and develop positive relationships when they are unable to live together.

YMCA Bournemouth Child Contact Centre is a NACCC-accredited service providing a safe and neutral environment where the child is at the heart of everything we do.

Working as part of the team, you will observe supervised and supported family time, helping to ensure that children and families are supported in a safe, respectful and non-judgemental environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Observe and support supervised and supported family time within the Child Contact Centre.
• Work closely and respectfully with children, families and colleagues, maintaining appropriate professional boundaries at all times.
• Provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment where the welfare and needs of the child remain the priority.
• Communicate effectively with people of all ages and backgrounds.
• Provide clear and accurate written information relating to family contact sessions.
• Respond sensitively and appropriately to individuals who may be experiencing stress or challenging circumstances.
• Work in accordance with YMCA Bournemouth policies, procedures and safeguarding requirements.
• Promote equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of the role.

About You

We are looking for a compassionate, professional and motivated individual who is committed to supporting children and families and who understands the importance of providing a safe, positive and non-judgemental environment.

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with people of all ages.
• The ability to work closely with others in a professional and non-judgemental manner.
• Good IT skills.
• The ability to maintain clear and appropriate professional boundaries.
• The ability to provide clear, accurate and concise written information.
• The ability to respond appropriately and sensitively to people experiencing stress or difficult circumstances.
• An understanding of equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.

Personal Attributes

• Compassionate, empathetic and approachable.
• Non-judgemental and respectful in your approach to others.
• Calm and professional when working with people who may be experiencing stressful circumstances.
• Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults at risk.
• Able to work collaboratively as part of a team.
• Reliable, responsible and able to maintain appropriate professional boundaries.

Qualifications and Experience

Essential:

• NVQ Level 3 or equivalent qualification in a relevant field.
• Experience or an understanding of working sensitively with children, families or individuals who may be experiencing challenging circumstances.
• Commitment to equality, diversity and anti-discriminatory practice.
• Understanding of the importance of safeguarding and maintaining professional boundaries.

Desirable:

• Experience of working within a child contact, family support, childcare, social care or related environment.
• Knowledge or experience of supervised or supported family time/contact arrangements.
• Experience of working within a safeguarding framework.

If you’re a motivated team player who shares our values and wants to be part of a supportive, impactful organisation, we’d love to hear from you!

Why join YMCA Bournemouth?

• Contribute to meaningful services and make a lasting, positive impact
• Join a passionate and supportive team that shares commitment to make positive change and build stronger communities
• Ongoing training and development opportunities to help you expand your skills and make an impact in your role
• Enjoy a wide range of employee benefits including a competitive employer pension contribution, access to an Employee Assistance Programme with counselling and virtual GP services, discounted gym memberships, Blue Light Card eligibility, and savings across YMCA Bournemouth facilities and services. Additional benefits include discounts on holiday clubs, swimming lessons, children’s activities, café purchases, room hire, wellbeing services and accommodation stays. Please note that employee benefits are subject to change.

Additional information:

• The role has a statutory, occupational requirement to ensure the safety and welfare of all children, young people and adults at risk that they may come across using our services. The post holder will take responsibility for ensuring safeguarding children, young people and adults at risk as a priority and follow both YMCA Bournemouth safeguarding policy and BCP Safeguarding Children Partnership and Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership statutory guidance.
• Employment will be subject to satisfactory references, right to work checks and a Disclosure and Barring Service check. If the role involves regulated activity with children or adults at risk, your employment will be subject to an Enhanced level DBS check prior to commencement date. All other applicable roles will be subject to a Basic level DBS check prior to commencement date.
• The YMCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to the active promotion of equal opportunity, both in the provision of services and as an employer of paid and unpaid workers.
• If you have a disability and require any adjustments to support you during the application or interview process, or within employment, please contact us directly.
• Please note we do not offer sponsorship opportunities with employment. Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK and provide appropriate documentation as required.

HOW TO APPLY
Please select 'CLICK TO APPLY' on the advert, via the YMCA Bournemouth website, to complete an application form.

Pay: £12.71 per hour

Work Location: In person