Development worker jobs

Join a vibrant and brave grassroots organisation led by Gypsy and Traveller people in West Yorkshire.

Leeds Gypsy and Traveller Exchange (Leeds GATE) is an established and award-winning civil society organisation with a national profile. 

We are recognised as being innovative, brave and creative.  Our overall aim is to improve the quality of life for Gypsies and Travellers through addressing inequalities in homes, health, education, and employment, financial and social inclusion. We run a number of a community facing and strategic projects to achieve our aims including advocacy, community development and youth work. Those who access our services and activities are members of Leeds GATE.  

Job Purpose: 

Job Role 1: Working in Wakefield you will build trusted relationships with Leeds GATE members, residents and families living on the Heath Common local authority site, yards, houses and roadside across the Wakefield district. 80% of your working time will be on site in this location.

Job Role 2: Working in Calderdale you will build trusted relationships with Leeds GATE members, residents and families living on local authority site, yards, houses and roadside across the Calderdale district.  80% o0f your working time will be on site in this location.

Through your relationships you will gain understanding of people’s strengths, interests and hobbies, whilst also building up knowledge of the needs of support, barriers and issues faced by Gypsies and Travellers.   

As a community development worker you will help to develop and create opportunities to engage the community, such as activities and group work, thinking how these can help people to share their ideas, develop their skills, build confidence and empower them, as well as improving  health and wellbeing outcomes to enable better lives.   

The Role

We're looking for an experienced community development worker to lead a portfolio of projects and support the wider Lost Woods team. Using an asset-based community development (ABCD) approach, you'll work with adults, children, young people and families — particularly those facing barriers to accessing nature.

Your lead projects will include:

• Woods on Prescription and sustainable community woodland wellbeing activities
• Five Ways to Family Wellbeing – building confidence to take children and YP into woodlands
• Networking for underserved groups engaging with woodland and nature
• Evaluating and legacy-planning for all lead projects by November 2027

Alongside the team, you'll:

• Engage communities, map needs and help overcome barriers to participation
• Support volunteer groups to develop their own sustainable woodland activities
• Work with landowners, local authorities and partners to improve woodland access
• Deliver training, events and networking for stakeholders
• Report accurately on outcomes and maintain GDPR-compliant records
• Represent AirS at events and through social media
• Contribute to fundraising for Lost Woods and future AirS projects

About You

Essential:

• Experience of community development, including asset-based approaches and mentoring community groups
• Experience delivering nature-based, outdoor or conservation activities across a range of ages and abilities
• Experience working with people from diverse backgrounds, including those with vulnerabilities or complex support needs
• Experience on multi-organisation partnership programmes
• Confident collecting, monitoring and evaluating data and writing funder reports
• Knowledge of ABCD and an understanding of barriers to community involvement, particularly in rural areas
• Strong interpersonal skills — able to influence and motivate volunteers, communities and stakeholders at all levels
• Good organisational skills and experience meeting monitoring and reporting requirements
• Qualified to GCSE level or equivalent; Forest School (level 2/3), Eco Psychology, Nature Connection or Counselling training also considered
• Current driving licence and use of own vehicle
• Outdoor First Aid trained, or willing to be — you'll lead risk assessments for woodland activities

Desirable:

• Accredited qualification or significant experience in community development or community organising
• Knowledge of rural Sussex, relevant statutory services and local conservation organisations
• Experience of line management or team leadership
• Coaching, mentoring or training facilitation skills
• Experience using social media to promote projects

Location: Lost Woods programme area (West, Mid & East Sussex) with home working Hours: 21 hours per week (some evenings/weekends – TOIL given) Salary: £30,833 pro rata Contract: Fixed term – programme ends November 2027 Annual leave: 28 days pro rata | Pension: 5% employer contribution

AirS is committed to equality of opportunity. This post is subject to a DBS check.

Children’s Development Worker

Join an award-winning organisation tackling Violence Against Women and Children.

We have a rewarding opportunity for a Children’s Development Worker, to provide specialist support to children affected by domestic abuse.

Our client is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to providing culturally responsive services that recognise the experiences of Black and minoritised children. Safeguarding is at the heart of their practice, and they are committed to protecting the welfare of women, children and adults at risk.

Please note that due to the nature of this role, we can only accept female applicants and candidates must be able to speak a South Asian Language.

Position: Children’s Development Worker

Location: West Midlands (Birmingham/Walsall)

Hours: Full-time (37.5 hours per week)

Salary: £25,000 - £26,000 (depending on experience and qualifications)

Contract: Contract until 31st October 2027

Closing Date: 2nd June 2026

The Role

Working as part of a team, the job may involve working weekends, unsociable hours, and bank holidays and you will be required to work flexible hours to meet the needs of children and young people. 

Duties include:

• Design and deliver an age-appropriate programme of structured and free play activities to support children’s wellbeing and development.
• Identify individual support needs and coordinate with colleagues and partner agencies (e.g., schools, health and social care) to ensure needs are met.
• Build positive relationships with children and young people, ensuring sessions are inclusive, engaging and safe.
• Promote safeguarding and follow child protection procedures, including advocacy and attendance at relevant multi-agency meetings when required.
• Maintain accurate records and monitoring systems, producing monthly/quarterly reports against agreed outcomes.
• Create opportunities for children, young people and parents/carers to participate, provide feedback and shape service delivery.
• Plan and organise resources and activities (including offsite and holiday provision), evaluating sessions to drive continuous improvement.

About You

You will have experience of working with children and young people aged 0 – 18 years old and be able to speak at least one South Asian language.

You will also have:

• A good standard of education, including a minimum of level 4 or equivalent in Maths and English.
• NNEB Diploma/BTEC in Nursery nursing / NVQ3/CQS in childcare or equivalent
• Experience of devising and delivering creative play activities for children that assist in their holistic needs.
• Experience of working as part of a team and able to demonstrate your positive influence on team dynamics
• Able to communicate clearly, both verbally and in writing
• Able to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Able to listen actively and adapt your communication style to meet the needs of the recipient.
• Able to be calm and resilient whilst under pressure and to remain optimistic and persistent.
• Be IT literate and familiar with Microsoft Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint.

Important Information

• This post is restricted to women under Schedule 9 of the Equality Act 2010
• Enhanced DBS check required

You may also have experience in roles such as Children’s Development Worker, Children’s Case Worker, Abuse Support Worker, Support Worker, Criminal Justice, Family Support Worker, Activities Coordinator, Nursery, Nursery Nurse, Primary School, Teaching Assistant, Teacher Support, Teaching Support, School Support Assistant, Youth Worker. #INDNFP

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client – Not For Profit People.