Community youth worker jobs

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 60,000 young people each year at its 46 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for graduates who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a permanent role as an Education Worker on IntoUniversity’s Graduate Scheme, helping to change the lives of young people.

We believe that our Graduate Scheme is one of the most exciting in the charity sector, an excellent career opportunity with exceptional training and hands-on experience, opportunities for promotion, and the chance to work with young people and colleagues who will challenge and inspire you.

Contract

Full-time, permanent 

Start date

Friday 24th July 2026

Working hours

Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00

Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30

(Some out-of-hours work will be required from time to time - for example, early starts to deliver workshops in schools.)

Education Workers are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres.

Salary

£28,250 per annum

Location

We have positions available in Birmingham, Bristol, Norwich and Southampton 

Annual leave

33 days (inc bank & public holidays) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days) 

Application deadline

9am Wednesday 27th May 2026

Selection Day (online)

Tuesday 16th June 2026

We may hold a further selection day on Friday 19th June 2026 if we receive a high volume of applications. 

Interview Day (online)

Wednesday 24th June 2026 

Please ensure that you are available on these dates

Be a key part of a values‑driven team supporting young people from underserved communities to feel seen, supported and inspired. Plan and deliver engaging youth sessions that build confidence, connection and possibility

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 50,000 young people each year at its 44 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for someone who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a fixed-term contract as an Education Worker at our
centre in Nottingham.

Location: Nottingham
Contract: Full-time, fixed-term until December 2026
Applications close: 9am Monday  18th Mayl 2026
Start date: June 2026

Salary

£28,250 per annum

What could my day look like?

The Education Worker role is a frontline, fast-paced and rewarding role where no two weeks will look the same. A typical day will have different activities, possibly spread between the IntoUniversity centre, partner schools and the offices of a corporate partner.

In the morning, you might be setting off with resources to run a workshop for sixth-form students in their secondary school. In the afternoon you may be setting up the classroom ahead of running Primary Academic Support for young people in your IntoUniversity centre. On other days, you may be travelling to a corporate partner to run a business simulation workshop for 15 year-olds or leading a group of final year primary school students on a campus visit for their graduation.

As an Education Worker, you’ll always be delivering the programme as part of your centre team, which means that any delivery is always a team effort. 

ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE

This is a specialist youth work role with two complementary areas of practice focus: (a) gender-responsive work with girls and gender-diverse young people experiencing or at risk of violence, harmful practices, exploitation, and coercive control; and (b) inclusive practice with neurodivergent young people whose support needs are routinely missed by mainstream youth provision.

VAWG specialism is the primary area of expertise for this role; SEN-aware practice is a complementary area of focus, supported by mentorship and consultation from Angel Shed Theatre and external SEN expertise where deeper input is needed. The role is designed to ensure that the cohorts most often underserved by violence-reduction provision — particularly neurodivergent girls — are reached and supported well.

The post holder will work within MGWT's trauma-informed practice framework, in close collaboration with the Dahlia Project on harmful practices, and within Andover's operational vision.

KEY AREAS AND OUTCOMES

Specialist practice — VAWG and gender-responsive work

• Lead on the design and delivery of a weekly girls and gender-diverse group at Andover, with structured progression and trauma-informed group work practice

• Provide 1:1 keywork to young people experiencing or at risk of gender-based violence, harmful practices (FGM, forced marriage, breast ironing), online and image-based abuse, and coercive control

• Hold a clear understanding of safeguarding pathways for harmful practices and serious youth-on-youth violence, working closely with MGWT's Safeguarding Lead and the Dahlia Project

• Support the wider Andover team to develop gender-responsive practice across all sessions

• Contribute to safety planning for individual young people in collaboration with the Safeguarding Lead

Specialist practice — SEN-aware and neurodivergent-inclusive work

• Co-design and deliver a sensory-aware parallel offer for neurodivergent young people, in partnership with Angel Shed Theatre

• Provide adapted 1:1 support to neurodivergent young people, including those with and without formal diagnosis

• Build and sustain referral relationships with SEN services, schools' SENCos, and partner organisations including the LYTP SEND project

• Support the wider Andover team to develop SEN-aware and trauma-informed practice across all sessions

Outreach, engagement, and youth voice

• Build and sustain trusting relationships with young people from the cohorts the role is designed to reach

• Lead on outreach and engagement activity to reach young people not currently accessing the service, particularly girls, gender-diverse young people, and neurodivergent young people

• Support the embedding of youth voice in the design and review of the specialist offer, with paid lived experience contributors where appropriate

Safeguarding and partnerships

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding pathways relevant to VAWG, harmful practices, and SEN-related vulnerability

• Identify and escalate safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead in line with policy

• Work in partnership with the Dahlia Project, Angel Shed Theatre, and external specialist organisations to maintain the quality of practice

• Participate in multi-agency meetings as needed for individual young people

Reporting and learning

• Maintain accurate records of 1:1 keywork, group sessions, and outcomes

• Contribute to the monitoring and evaluation of the VRU Stronger Futures programme and other relevant funded streams

• Contribute to learning and reflective practice across the Andover team

This job description is a broad outline of your main responsibilities. Manor Gardens' employees may be required to undertake other work at times in order to provide flexible services. In addition, all employees are required to:

• Support the broader mission and objectives of MGWT and contribute to its overall strategy

• Contribute to the shared operational effectiveness of MGWT through attendance and contribution to organisational team meetings and working groups

• Ensure organisational data collection and reporting processes are completed as required

• Know and adhere to MGWT policies and procedures

PERSON SPECIFICATION

a)  Specialist knowledge and experience of working with women, girls, or gender-diverse young people affected by violence, harmful practices, exploitation, or coercive control

b)  An understanding of neurodiversity, with willingness to develop SEN-aware practice further through mentorship from Angel Shed Theatre and external training

c)  JNC qualification in youth work, social work, or a related qualification (or working towards), or equivalent specialist experience

d)  At least two years' experience of working with young people in a youth work, community, or specialist support setting

e)  A strong understanding of trauma-informed practice and the principles of safe disclosure

f)  Knowledge of the safeguarding landscape relating to VAWG, harmful practices, and exploitation, including referral pathways in Islington or comparable boroughs

g)  Experience of running group work for young people, including closed groups, with structured progression

h)  Experience of 1:1 keywork or casework with young people experiencing complex harm

i)  Strong relational and communication skills with young people whose trust is hard-won

j)  Ability to work flexibly across after-school and school holiday provision, including evening hours

k)  Lived experience of any of the issues this role addresses is welcomed and valued, although not required

l)  A mature, thoughtful, and reflective approach to equalities, diversity, and the intersection of gender, race, disability, and class

m)  Good IT skills and the ability to maintain accurate records

n)  Willingness to engage in regular reflective supervision

Young Carers Male Sessional Worker  

Do you enjoy working with young people? Are you interested in supporting Young Carers by delivering engaging activities that promote wellbeing, reduce isolation and give them a break from their caring responsibilities? 

Then this job is for you! 

Job Title: Young Carers Male Sessional Worker 
Location: London, Wandsworth – Wandsworth Carers’ Centre (office-based and community/outreach) 
Contract Type: Sessional / Zero Hours Contract 
Salary: £15 per hour 
DBS Check: Enhanced required 

We are seeking a male flexible, reliable, and enthusiastic Sessional Worker to support the delivery of services for Young Carers aged 5-16. Due to an increase in trips and off-site activities, and to ensure we provide appropriate support for all young people- particularly our male Young Carers - we are particularly seeking a male sessional worker to join the team. The role involves two key parts. The first is helping to deliver engaging, age-appropriate activities that promote wellbeing, reduce isolation, and give Young Carers a break from their responsibilities. The second is supporting with outreach to local schools, colleges, community settings and professionals to identify and engage Young Carers. 

About The Role: 

You will work across two key age groups- 5-11 and 12–16 - delivering and supervising activities, supporting events and trips, and providing behavioural management where needed. You will deliver awareness training sessions, run stalls and aim to identify and engage Young Carers in the community. You will also help ensure young Carers feel heard, included, and supported as they navigate the challenges of their caring roles. We are particularly looking for a male sessional worker who is available for our upcoming residential trip to the Young Carers Festival on the 26th – 28th June and a day trip to Southend-On-Sea on the 6th June.  This is a sessional role, therefore hours are not guaranteed but will be offered based on project need.

Key Requirements Include: 

• Experience working with children, young people, or vulnerable groups 

• Ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with young people and their families 

• Reliable, punctual, and flexible 

• A strong understanding of professional boundaries and confidentiality 

• Willingness to work evenings and weekends 

• Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusive practice 

About Wandsworth Carers’ Centre: 

We are a busy, ambitious charity operating at the heart of the Wandsworth community since 1995, helping thousands of people across the borough in unpaid Caring roles. We give information and advice, organise respite, offer complementary therapies, deliver training, provide peer support, arrange fun events and much more.  In short, we are the Carer's friend and advocate, often helping Carers through difficult times. 

Wandsworth Carers’ Centre is an inclusive employer. We are committed to building a diverse organisation that represents the communities we serve and ensuring inclusion in everything we do.

Benefits of working for Wandsworth Carers’ Centre:   

Friendly team and working environment, contributory company pension, ongoing training and development opportunities and an employee assistance program.  

Closing date: 15th May 2026

Please note we will be interviewing candidates as suitable applications come in and therefore reserve the right to close this vacancy before the stated closing date. We encourage applications as soon as possible. 

Regenerate is looking to recruit a highly motivated, enthusiastic and empathetic youth worker and mentor to join our team in creating opportunities for young people to thrive.

The role will create opportunities for young people to develop their skills, confidence and self-awareness, supporting them to build positive relationships and to engage with education, employment and training opportunities. 

It is the perfect role for someone who is passionate about improving opportunities for young people, and 

Main Responsibilities:

• Support planning and delivery of up to four youth work sessions a week, across our youth club and sports sessions
• Mentor a caseload of young people by building positive connections with them, nurturing their goals, and working alongside their support networks
• Ensure all Regenerate & Feel Good's procedures are carried out with diligence

About Regenerate:

Regenerate is a youth charity based in Roehampton, SW London that aims to create opportunities for young people to thrive.

Regenerate’s mission is to inspire and support young people by building strong, lasting relationships and creating life changing opportunities; helping them grow in confidence, make the best of their lives and impact the world for good. We do this through youth work, mentoring, and our social enterprise ‘Feel Good’.

We work with local young people who are facing a number of challenges, such as poor mental health and wellbeing, discriminattion and/or marginalisation, exposure or involvement in crime, and not being in education or employment. We support these young people by providing safe spaces, positive role models who truly listen and care, and opportunities to grow their skills and realise their potential.

About you:

Please ensure you read over the attached job pack for full information about the role, your perks, and what we’re looking for.

Experience in a youth work or similar environment is preferred, but not required. All training will be provided. 

If you're as passionate about improving the outcomes for young people as we are, this role is for you and we want to hear from you.

To apply, please read over the full job pack, and fill out an online application form, linked above.

Regenerate is an equal opportunities employer and actively encourages applications from people of all minority and underrepresented groups.

All offers of employment will be subject to the appropriate DBS, right to work and reference checks.

Established in 1999 SeeSaw Grief Support is an award-winning charity supporting children and young people in Oxfordshire who are bereaved or about to be bereaved. The work supporting children, young people and their families is delivered by a team of clinical staff and volunteers, who work with families in their own homes. Because of this regular travel is involved, often at the end of the school day. We regularly provide support for between 400-500 children and young people each year. 

Our clinical team of 5 practitioners, and 12 volunteers, is supported by our Clinical Data and Volunteer Manager. Due to increasing demand for our service, we are expanding our team and looking for a 6th practitioner to join us, focusing on direct work with bereaved children and young people, and those facing the death of a close family member. We are looking for candidates who have gained experience of working with children and young people in a range of settings. You are a good communicator and skilled at making and sustaining supportive relationships with children and young people to effect change.Our practitioners have a caseload of individual children and their families, and liaise with professionals from schools, health, social care and children and young people’s mental health services, as well as with our team of Volunteer Support Workers. You will be able to work collaboratively and on your own initiative, ideally have a qualification in health care, social work, counselling, psychological services or education; knowledge of therapeutic interventions in grief work would be helpful but not essential as training will be given. 

Men, younger people, and individuals from minoritised communities are underrepresented in our workforce and we are particularly keen to encourage applications from these groups.

If you feel you have the qualities to join our small friendly team doing vital work for children and young people in Oxfordshire, please read the job description and person specification below.

Interviews will be held on 9th June

We are looking for an experienced youth worker to join our team and lead our Short Breaks project, which provides activities and support specifically for children and young people who have autism and have low to moderate support needs. Camp Mohawk is a woodland activity centre that provides support to children, young people and families from across the South of England.

The children and young people (approximately 100 individuals) supported by the project are aged 8 to approximately 25 years and are largely independent in terms of their self care but have a variety of social, sensory and sometimes medical needs that mean it is very difficult for them to participate in mainstream activities. Our Short Breaks service offers after school activities (in 3 age groups) on Tuesdays and Thursdays in term time, as well as full days of activities once per week in school holidays. These activities give the young people essential social opportunities during which they are supported with things they find challenging, encouraged to express their natural personalities and explore and develop their interests. During these sessions they can receive support to develop their social skills if that is what they need, and can take part in fun activities with their peers. The groups generally cater for between 10 and 20 young people per session.

To be a good fit for this role, you will need to be an exceptional and dedicated childcare / youth worker who has proven experience of supporting and safeguarding children and young people, particularly those who have autism. You should have experience of planning inclusive activities, managing budgets and supervising teams of staff. The role is very much a ‘hands on’ role working directly with the project beneficiaries for the majority of the post hours - you must be able to commit to working the majority of Tuesday (16.00 - 19.30) and Thursday (18.30 - 22.00) evenings in term time, and at least one full day (09.00 - 17.30) per week during school holidays, with the exception of the Christmas holidays when the centre is closed. You will work 10 hours per month on project associated admin which can be undertaken remotely and largely at times that suit you. You must have a full UK driving license and access to a reliable vehicle that is insured for business use. Camp Mohawk is not easily accessible by public transport, whilst some Short Breaks activities take place at off site locations in Reading, Wokingham, Maidenhead, Bracknell, Slough and surrounding areas.

The current post holder also works in the role of Duty Manager for other school holiday days / term time weekend days. This aspect of the role, which will be an optional add on to the Short Breaks Coordinator role with negotiable hours, would be undertaken on a rotational basis with our 4 other Duty Managers. The role involves overseeing the daily delivery of general Family Sessions which support families who have children of all ages and who have a wide range of special needs and disabilities. In this role you will guide and supervise a team of support staff and volunteers through set up of the facilities at the start of the day, oversee the smooth and effective delivery of the service and support families during their visits, work effectively within our Safeguarding Lead Team, and supervise the cleaning and close down of facilities once the session has completed.

For full job description and person specification please see the attached application pack. Informal enquiries prior to application to discuss the role requirements, and applicant requirements in terms of hours and salary, are welcomed.

The successful applicant will be required to undergo all checks and training in accordance with our Safe Recruitment policy including enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references and Right to Work check.

Shine supports a community of over 15,000 members living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus, including 5,000 children and young people (0–25).

You will be delivering high-quality support and creating opportunities for children and young people living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus and their families/carers. Supporting Shine members to lead healthy, independent, and fulfilling lives by improving condition management and fostering connections within the Shine community. 

This role will focus on children and young people (0–25), you will be primarily working within the Children, Young People and Families team. However, there will be occasions when you will work across age groups to ensure the best outcomes for our members. 

The role is home-based but you will be required to attend regular clinics in London including GOSH (Great Ormond Street Hospital). Other travel across Southern England including Bristol, Devon and Hampshire may be required. There will be occasional travel required across wider areas and nationally including attendance at events, conferences and meetings at our head office in Peterborough. 

Benefits: 

• Competitive salary: Review due April 2027 

• Regular working hours, and no shift work (some very occasional weekends or evenings)   

• 3% pension contribution 

• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with additional discretionary leave between Christmas and New Year 

• Additional annual leave awarded for ‘long service’ 

• Opportunity to purchase additional annual leave 

• Broadband allowance for home-based roles 

• Life insurance after 12 months’ employment   

• Access to our Employee Support Programme and Mental Health First Aiders  

• Support to learn and develop  

How to apply  

Shine is a Disability Confident employer and will offer guaranteed interviews if a disabled applicant meets the minimum criteria for the job.  

If you would like to discuss the role please email Gill Valentine, Deputy CEO, to arrange a convenient time for a call.  

To apply please submit your CV and supporting statement, which should outline your interest and explain how you meet the role criteria.

*Please note applications without a supporting statement will not be accepted* 

We understand that you may wish to use AI tools to help you with some aspects of your application, but we do expect tailored applications which are personalised to your experiences and not generic applications which are completely AI generated. We encourage candidates to be transparent about AI usage in their applications.  

Closing date:  Monday 17th May 2026 at 11pm  

Interviews:  Tuesday 26th May 2026  (Virtual) 

Please note: we reserve the right to interview suitable candidates before the closing date, therefore we encourage applications as soon as possible.  

Please see full details on the Job Description and Person Specification document below and on our website.

Youth Outreach Practitioner – Glasgow  

Salary: Up to £32k 

Hours: Full time 

Location: Glasgow  

Contract: Permanent  

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU? 

Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets.

Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. 

Founded in 1996, Railway Children has dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for street connected children. With projects in the UK, India and Tanzania, we aim to reach these children as soon as they are in danger and intervene before an abuser can.  As we embark on our new strategy to 2030, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work. 

The role 
We are looking for a Youth Outreach Practitioner for our Glasgow team and are keen to receive applications from those living in and around the City of Glasgow.  You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s programme in the UK, in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP).  

As a Youth Outreach Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in keeping children safe from harm by engaging in patrols to identify and safeguard young people (aged 10-17) at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown.  

You will also work closely with our Youth Practitioner, supporting a number of young people who have been identified or referred for 1-1 direct support.

Both aspects of the role will involve working directly with young people and their families to reduce risks, as well as building strong relationships other social care, Police, third sector agencies and local services in the area.  

Your base would be near to Glasgow Central Station with regular travel between the station and working in the boroughs of North Lanarkshire, South Lanarkshire, Glasgow and Renfrewshire. This role involves some evenings and weekend hours.   

About you 

You will have experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people and families as well as working in an outreach or similar setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.   

A relevant qualification in an appropriate discipline in working with children and families, community or youth work or equivalent experience is desirable. Alongside this relevant training in safeguarding and/or issues relevant to vulnerable young people and families is essential.

You will need to have experience of providing front line support to safeguard some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK.

Experience of developing productive relationships/partnerships with a variety of organisations such as 3rd sector group, local services and statutory services such a social care to support the needs of vulnerable young people and families is a must.

A full person specification can be found in the job pack.  

For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience. 

Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed. 

Closing Date: Sunday 10th May at 5pm 

1st interviews are scheduled to take place on Thursday 21st May 2026

2nd interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 

We are looking for a Housing Advice Worker who is passionate about supporting young people experiencing homelessness to transition into safe and secure housing.

The ideal candidate will work proactively and enthusiastically, both independently and as part of a team. They will have experience working in a busy, often fast-paced environment and be confident in assessing individual needs and identifying appropriate housing pathways. The successful candidate will have a strong understanding of housing and homelessness legislation, along with a solid insight into the reasons individuals experience homelessness. They will be able to effectively support young people presenting with a wide range of needs and barriers.

Key details

• Contract type and hours: permanent, full-time working 35 hours per week, Monday-Friday (9:30-5:00)

• Salary: starting salary £32,136.00. Salary scale £32,136.00 - £35,778.08

• Location: New Horizon Youth Centre, 68 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JR

• Application deadline: 9am, Wednesday 20th May

• How to apply: complete our application form on our website, submit your CV and write a 2 page cover letter/supporting statement. Please don't include your name or address in your CV or cover letter.

Citizens UK

Citizens UK is the UK’s biggest, most diverse and most effective people-powered alliance. We bring communities and local organisations together to work on issues that matter; from campaigning for zebra crossings on dangerous roads, to reforming the immigration system, to the Living Wage campaign. We have a track record of winning change through hundreds of local and national campaigns. We know everyday people have the ability to shape the world around them. We believe that through developing local leaders, we can drive nationwide change and create community-led solutions to big and small problems.

Peterborough Citizens is part of Citizens UK, a nationwide alliance that brings together local groups to campaign for social justice and community improvement. In Peterborough, it works with schools, faith groups, and community organisations to address issues like housing, safety, and opportunity. We’ve been active for five years, building local leadership and creating positive change through collective action.

This role will focus on delivering the Pride in Place: Listening to Leadership programme across Peterborough. The Community Organiser will support the delivery of a 12-month programme that moves from listening → action → leadership, building long-term community power and neighbourhood governance.  The role combines core community organising practice with structured delivery of engagement, analysis, and leadership development.

Community Organising

Through our theory of social change, called community organising, we train thousands of everyday people to lead change in their communities, equipping them with the skills to hold politicians and other powerholders to account. We are made up of 500+ member organisations in powerful alliances throughout the UK. Our members include schools, universities, faith groups, parents’ groups, health practices, charities, trade unions and other civil society organisations.

Purpose

At Citizens UK, our organisers and project staff work within communities to develop leaders, strengthen organisations, campaign for change and organise across difference. There are various project roles and operational, communication, finance and HR roles that support the organisation and project staff and organisers to deliver on this mission and work. This work is rewarding and can be challenging; it requires a personal commitment to inclusion, a willingness to listen and disagree respectfully, and an interest in working in an organisation where our staff, member institutions and leaders will come from a diversity of backgrounds and often hold views that may be very different from our own. More information about how we operate within this context and build trusted relationships across difference can be found on our website and is covered in induction. Onboarding and navigating this relational culture, and type of work, is supported by line managers and further training.

Main Responsibilities

As a Pride in Place Community Organiser with Peterborough Citizens, you will use the Citizens UK method to build relationships across civic institutions—such as schools, faith groups, and community organisations—to develop local leaders and strengthen their collective power. You will lead a broad listening campaign to surface shared concerns, support communities to identify priorities, and co-create strategies that turn those issues into winnable campaigns, including engaging decision-makers and organising public actions. Grounded in the belief that local people can shape their neighbourhoods, you will help deliver tangible “you said, we did” outcomes, build sustainable structures for resident voice and accountability, and contribute to the wider Pride in Place initiative by embedding long-term community leadership and change.

Youth Outreach Practitioner – South Yorkshire  

Salary: Up to £32k 

Hours: Full time 

Location: Sheffield or Doncaster

Contract: Permanent 

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU? 

Around the world hundreds of thousands of children struggle to survive on the streets. In many countries, they have become an accepted issue in society, deprived of access to the most basic services and they experience extreme harm before and during their time on the streets.

Wherever they may be in the world, they face violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. 

Founded in 1996, Railway Children has dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for street connected children. With projects in the UK, India and Tanzania, we aim to reach these children as soon as they are in danger and intervene before an abuser can.  As we embark on our new strategy to 2030, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work. 

The role 
We are looking for a Youth Outreach Practitioner for our South Yorkshire team and are keen to receive applications from those living in and around Sheffield or Doncaster.  You’ll be part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s programme in the UK, in partnership with British Transport Police (BTP).  

As a Youth Outreach Practitioner, you’ll play a key role in keeping children safe from harm by engaging in patrols to identify and safeguard young people (aged 10-17) at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown.  

You will also work closely with our Youth Practitioner, supporting a number of young people who have been identified or referred for 1-1 direct support.

Both aspects of the role will involve working directly with young people and their families to reduce risks, as well as building strong relationships other social care, Police, third sector agencies and local services in the area.  

Your base would be at Sheffield or Doncaster Railway Station with regular travel between these stations plus Barnsley and Rotherham stations and working across these boroughs. This role does involve working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.   

 About you 

You will have experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people and families as well as working in an outreach or similar setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.    

A relevant qualification in an appropriate discipline in working with children and families, community or youth work or equivalent experience is desirable. Alongside this relevant training in safeguarding and/or issues relevant to vulnerable young people and families is essential.    

You will need to have experience of providing front line support to safeguard some of the most vulnerable young people in the UK.   

Experience of developing productive relationships/partnerships with a variety of organisations such as 3rd sector group, local services and statutory services such a social care to support the needs of vulnerable young people and families is a must.   

A full person specification can be found in the job pack.  

For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience. 

Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed. 

Closing Date: Sunday 10th May at 5pm 
 
1st interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 20th May 2026 
2nd interviews are scheduled to take place on Tuesday 2nd June 2026 

We’re an award-winning charity running local learning centres in the heart of the communities where the young people we support live. Our centres provide a high-impact education programme which includes practical learning support, pastoral care, and motivational and confidence-building activities for young people aged 7-18. Our aim is to enable students from the least advantaged neighbourhoods to realise their ambitions and achieve their wonderful potential.

As the UK’s leading university access organisation, our staff team is helping over 60,000 young people each year at its 46 learning centres and extension projects across England and Scotland, and we plan to scale-up our provision to 50 centres over the coming years.

We are looking for graduates who will enjoy working each day with young people and who will thrive in a frontline, community-based, fast-paced and rewarding role. You will be taking up a permanent role as an Education Worker on IntoUniversity’s Graduate Scheme, helping to change the lives of young people.

We believe that our Graduate Scheme is one of the most exciting in the charity sector, an excellent career opportunity with exceptional training and hands-on experience, opportunities for promotion, and the chance to work with young people and colleagues who will challenge and inspire you. 

Contract

Full-time, permanent 

Start date

Early June 2026 

Working hours

Mon and Thurs: 09:30-18:00

Tues, Weds, Fri: 09:00-17:30

(Some out-of-hours work will be required from time to time - for example, early starts to deliver workshops in schools.)

Education Workers are based at one of our IntoUniversity learning centres and work directly with young people, schools and families on a daily basis. It is therefore not a hybrid role and is based full-time in our centres. 

Salary

£28,250 per annum

Location

We have a vacancy in our centre in Bridlington and a cross-centre vacancy based across our centres in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

Annual leave

33 days (inc bank & public holidays) + 3 closure days (two in December and one in July) + additional length of service entitlement (one day per year of service, up to 5 days) 

Application deadline

9am Monday 18th May 2026

Interview Day (online)

Thursday 21st May 2026

Please ensure that you are available on these dates