Hospital Navigator/Youth Worker

North Bristol NHS Trust (NBT) and University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust (UHBW) have merged as of 1st July 2026 to become Bristol NHS Foundation Trust. This will create an exciting future that brings together the best of both organisations. As a single, strong and sustainable organisation, we will not only be able to deliver better outcomes for our patients and fairer care for our population, but it will also provide greater opportunities for our people.

Bristol NHS Foundation Trust recognise the value of a healthy work-life balance. When applying, speak to us about how we might be able to accommodate flexible working, so your work life fits around your home life.

We particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented within the Trust.

Our job adverts may close as soon as sufficient applications have been received. Considering this, if you are interested in this role, please do apply as soon as you can.

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) describes algorithms that can be used to produce new content, including audio, code, images, text, simulations, and videos. It is developing all the time and is now being used as a support mechanism for all kinds of content-based creations. Please note the use of AI is monitored and if applicants have used it then they are required to declare this.

Job Overview We are seeking an experienced and motivated individual to join our Emergency Department team, providing specialist support to predominantly young people aged 11–25 years who present to hospital following interpersonal violence or exploitation-related harm. There will be times where you will be working with individuals outside of this age range.

The role will focus on delivering trauma-informed, culturally competent interventions to support young people at a critical moment following injury. The post holder will work across the Emergency Department and relevant inpatient wards to provide rapid engagement, safety planning, and connection to community services, with the aim of reducing repeat attendances related to violence and improving long-term outcomes.

This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in this project from its inception and contribute to a hospital-based violence reduction approach, working collaboratively with healthcare professionals, safeguarding teams, and external community partners to improve outcomes for young people affected by violence across Bristol.

Main duties of the job

The Youth Worker will provide specialist engagement and case management support for young people with presentations to the ED relating to interpersonal violence.

You Will

• Deliver trauma-informed interventions, support and safety planning,
• Use your established skills and experience within the community to ensure support is ongoing and tailored. Ensuring young people can leave hospital safely, with support in place.
• Provide ward in-reach support to patients admitted following violence-related injuries.
• Facilitate referrals and warm handovers to community services including youth services, mental health support, substance use services, and violence reduction programmes.
• Conducting follow-up contact following discharge to support recovery and service engagement.
• Working collaboratively with clinical teams to support safeguarding and risk management processes.
• Delivering education and training to Emergency Department and wider hospital staff on recognising and responding to youth violence and exploitation.
• Maintaining accurate records and contributing to data monitoring, audit, and service improvement initiatives.

The post holder will play a key role in supporting young people at a critical moment following injury and helping to prevent further harm.

Working for our organisation

North Bristol NHS Trust employs over 12,000 staff providing healthcare to the residents of Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset from our award-winning hospital building at Southmead. We are the regional Major Trauma Centre, and an internationally recognised centre of excellence in a range of services and major specialities. Our vision is that by enabling our teams to be the best that they can be, we will provide exceptional healthcare, personally delivered.

North Bristol NHS Trust values all people as individuals. We aim to be an anti-discriminatory organisation and are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We welcome applicants from all underrepresented groups.

Detailed Job Description And Main Responsibilities Why join us? This is more than a job, it is an opportunity to make a lasting difference at a moment when young people need support the most. By joining North Bristol NHS Trust, you will be part of a forward-thinking team, and an organisation committed to reducing violence, improving health equity, and delivering compassionate, trauma-informed care to Bristol’s young people

As this is a new role for the Trust, you will have the unique opportunity to help shape and develop the service from the ground up, working alongside passionate colleagues across the Emergency Department and wider hospital teams at Southmead Hospital. Your work will directly support young people to feel safer, access the help they need, and move forward with confidence after experiencing violence.

We are looking for someone who believes in the power of early intervention, strong relationships, and community partnership to change lives. If you are committed to empowering young people, challenging inequalities, and helping build safer communities, we would love to hear from you.

Join us and be part of a service that is supporting recovery, preventing harm, and creating better futures for young people across our communities.

Person specification

Education

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent level experience in youth work, social care, community work, psychology, criminology, or related field
• Safeguarding Children &​ Young People training (level 3 or willingness to undertake)

Desirable criteria

• Formal training in trauma-informed practice, motivational interviewing, restorative practice, or de-escalation

Work experience

Essential criteria

• Substantial experience in youth work, youth justice and community work (or similar) within Bristol
• Experience of direct work with young people aged 11–25 affected by violence, trauma, or complex needs

Desirable criteria

• Experience of working in acute hospital setting

Knowledge

Essential criteria

• Knowledge of serious youth violence, interpersonal violence, exploitation, and contextual safeguarding
• Understanding of trauma, ACEs, and their impact on health and behaviour
• Knowledge of safeguarding legislation, thresholds, and escalation processes
• Knowledge of Bristol’s serious youth violence context and local services
• Experience engaging young people in crisis or high-risk situations
• Experience of direct work with young people aged 11–25 affected by violence, trauma, or complex needs

Desirable criteria

• Understanding of hospital safeguarding and ED workflows

Personal

Essential criteria

• Trauma-informed, non-judgemental, and youth-centred approach
• Resilient, reflective, and emotionally aware. Proactive and adaptable within a developing service
• Commitment to NHS values and anti-discriminatory practice
• Ability to travel across Bristol

We hope that you will decide to join us and become part of this exciting journey, helping us to shape our future together.

• As an equal opportunities employer actively working towards a diverse workforce we aim to recruit and retain a workforce which represents the rich diversity of the local population at all levels and are committed to designing our services around the needs of individual patients and those around them. Anonymous information will be used from your application to ensure we’re meeting our pledge.
• The Trust is committed to investing in and caring for all our staff. We will support you in maintaining and improving your health and wellbeing, as well as your career development through management and training support - developing exceptional people for exceptional careers.
• BFT is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults.
• To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 all applicants must be able to speak fluent English to an appropriate standard which will be assessed at Interview.
• If you require sponsorship for a visa to work in the UK, to avoid disappointment, please check to ensure you are eligible under the UKVI points based system.
• The Trust uses electronic new starter forms on Trac to collect personal details. Information collected is securely stored and used to set up the employee record on the ESR HR system.
• By applying for this post, you are agreeing to Bristol NHS Foundation Trust transferring the information contained in this application to its preferred applicant management system. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system.
• Please be aware of scams – unless specified above, we will only communicate with you via @recruit.trac.jobs or nhs.net e-mails and we will never ask you for any payments.

Important Please note that if you apply for a position with this Trust, you may be contacted via Trac or via email. This includes invites for job interviews. We therefore recommend that you regularly check your Trac account and email accounts. We may also contact you by texting the mobile number