Permanent jobs

Purpose of the job

UK Youth exists to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning. ​

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To do this, we work with a network of youth organisations delivering youth work and outdoor learning youth work across the UK, as well as national, regional and specialist infrastructure bodies that collectively strengthen the impact and sustainability of the sector.​

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Together, this network forms a connected system focused on one shared aim: widening the reach and deepening the impact of youth work and outdoor learning.​

As our Network Manager, you will live and breathe our network, developing a deep understanding of the makeup, needs and priorities of network members to lead effective engagement and establish a high quality experience. You’ll drive a number of projects and steward relationships as part of our evolving offer, focusing on listening, moving from a transactional to a relational approach to supporting and learning from our network, equipping leaders with the skills, networks, and confidence to deliver exceptional support to young people.

You’ll support the Head of Network Development and the Senior Leadership Team to evolve UKY’s network offer as part of our new strategy. You will be a key advocate for the sector, ensuring our network remains responsive, resilient, and well equipped to meet emerging opportunities and challenges.

The role requires deep understanding and experience  of the youth sector, the ability to confidently build relationships with leaders of practice and organisations, as well as a highly organised, and proactive individual with strong project management and excellent stakeholder management skills.

Why work at UK Youth?

UK Youth exists to widen the reach and deepen the impact of youth work and outdoor learning. We support a network of thousands of youth organisations across the UK to improve young lives every day. At the same time, we are transforming the policies, investment, and ideas needed to future-proof youth work and outdoor learning for generations to com e:

• We back youth work leaders with the evidence, connections, and investment they need to thrive.

• We keep youth work effective with research, large-scale pilot programmes, and professional development initiatives.

• And we work with young changemakers to inspire lasting change in the attitudes of the public and funders.

Key responsibilities

• Relationship Building, Network Onboarding and Partnerships

• Network Engagement, Experience and Capacity Building

• Planning, Budget and Resource Management

• Leadership and Management

Experience we're after

• Experience delivering youth work practice with young people.

• Understanding of youth policy, workforce challenges, and sector-wide trends including the changing aspirations and needs of young people and the impact of youth work in supporting these.

• Knowledge of youth sector infrastructure organisations and their roles at national, regional, and local levels.

• Strong programme and project management expertise, including a demonstrable track record of successfully leading and managing large-scale or complex programmes and projects in a previous role.

• Excellent relational and stakeholder engagement skills, with proven experience building and maintaining relationships across diverse organisations.

• Proven experience in network development, membership engagement, or partnership management within the charity, youth, or community sector.

• Experience in workforce development, training, or skills enhancement within a sector-focused setting.

• Excellent line management skills, with experience developing staff and effectively managing performance.

• Exceptional communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage diverse audiences in a variety of settings.

• Experience in budget management and financial planning.

What we can offer you

We offer a competitive range of benefits, good work/life balance, excellent learning and development opportunities and vibrant organisational culture:

• Flexible/Agile Working

• 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays (pro rata for part time employees)

• Funded training provided in; Safeguarding, GDPR, Information and Cyber Security & Equality & Diversity

• Other training available in support of your personal and professional development

• Pension scheme (currently UK Youth match employee contributions up to 5%)

• Membership of our life insurance scheme which would pay-out up to 4 times your salary

• Employee Assistance Programme to support employees both professionally and personally

• 20% discount off bookings at Avon Tyrrell, our New Forest Outdoor Centre, including camping, lodges and outdoor activities.

• IT equipment provided for the duration of contract

• CycleScheme and TechScheme

How to apply

If you would like to be considered for this fantastic opportunity, please complete an application via our completely anonymised recruitment system provided by Applied which looks to create a fair and unbiased application process for all. Scroll to the top of the page and start your application.

Closing date: 7th April 2026 at 09:00am

Provisional Interview Dates: 13th and 14th April

As this role involves working in a regulated environment with young people, any offer will be conditional to satisfactory background checks, which include criminal record check and employment reference.

Senior Young People Support Worker (Islington)

Join us to lead meaningful change, empower young people to thrive, and shape a service where your leadership, compassion and creativity make a real and lasting impact every day.

Location: Islington

Salary: £31,203 per annum

Closing Date: 22 March, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

Step into a key leadership role as a Senior Young People Support Worker, where you’ll drive high‑impact, psychologically informed support for young people at risk of homelessness. You’ll lead a team of professionals, guide high‑quality assessments and support plans, and create safe, empowering environments that build confidence, resilience and independence. Every day, you’ll use an asset‑based approach to help clients develop skills and move positively towards sustainable futures.

You’ll take ownership of day‑to‑day service delivery—managing risk, maintaining high safety standards, strengthening partnerships with local agencies and ensuring the accommodation remains welcoming and well maintained. With your inclusive leadership and creative problem‑solving, you’ll connect clients to education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities, while also supporting staff development, supervising volunteers and contributing to the smooth running of the wider Islington pathway. This role is ideal for someone who leads with integrity, collaborates confidently and is motivated by achieving meaningful outcomes.

In this role, you will:

• Lead high‑quality, psychologically informed support for young people, delivering tailored one‑to‑one and group interventions that build resilience and independence.

• Oversee day‑to‑day service delivery, ensuring strong safeguarding practice, effective risk management and a safe, well‑maintained environment.

• Supervise and develop Progression Coaches, volunteers and placements, providing guidance, performance oversight and positive role modelling.

• Build effective partnerships with local agencies and internal teams to strengthen client support pathways and meet contractual outcomes.

• Support clients to access education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities aligned to their goals and strengths.

• Manage key operational tasks including casework quality, financial recording, health and safety checks and participation in the on‑call rota.

About You (What we are looking for from you – Person Specification)

• Experiencing of supervising the work of others.

• An understanding and commitment to working in an assets-based way

• Experience of working with people who have experienced homelessness, poor mental health, substance use or have a history of living in care.

• Experience of using Risk Assessments and Support Planning.

• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills

• Experience of operating safeguarding requirements and procedures

• Commitment to working in a manner which promotes diversity and equality, ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and dignity and no one suffers from discrimination.

• Commitment to promoting an environment which has the highest regard for the Health and Safety of others.

• Personal and professional integrity

• High level understanding of professional boundaries and ability to maintain boundaries

• Effective collaborative working

• Ability to effectively reflect on own practices for ongoing learning and development

• Respect for the values and ethos of Depaul and its founding partners.

What You’ll Receive

• Tailored training and development
• Flexible working options where suitable
• 26 days annual leave, rising with service
• Family‑friendly leave policies
• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%
• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access
• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more
• Cash health plan for you and your family
• Death‑in‑service benefit
• Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.

Service Manager - (South Manchester)

Be the difference for young people facing homelessness.

Location: Safestop Manchester

Salary: £37,380 per annum

Closing date: 22 March, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

We are looking for an inspiring Service Manager to lead our supported accommodation for young people in South Manchester. You’ll oversee a skilled team delivering safe, high‑quality support to clients—helping them stabilise, build independence and progress confidently through the Manchester pathway. Your leadership will shape a service where young people feel secure, respected and empowered.

In this hands‑on role, you’ll drive operational excellence, ensuring strong safeguarding practice, effective partnership working and consistent contract compliance. You’ll manage budgets, performance, reporting and health & safety while strengthening relationships with the commissioners, and community stakeholders. If you’re a proactive problem‑solver who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment, this is an opportunity to lead a service that makes a tangible impact every day.

In this role, you will:

• Lead and motivate a multidisciplinary team to deliver high‑quality support across two accommodation sites.

• Ensure strong safeguarding practice, risk management and safe environments for young people.

• Oversee day‑to‑day service delivery, ensuring KPI achievement, contract compliance and continuous performance improvement.

• Work collaboratively with commissioners and specialist partners to coordinate client‑centred support.

• Manage budgets, expenditure, reporting and building/IT resources in line with financial and regulatory requirements.

• Maintain strong community and neighbour relations across dispersed accommodation sites.

• Promote an inclusive, values‑led culture aligned with Depaul’s ethos, equality commitments and health & safety standards.

About You (What we are looking for from you – Person Specification)

When completing your application form please address all the points set out below.

Essential

• Experiencing of supervising the work of others

• Experience of using Risk Assessments and Support Planning.

• Experience of managing a service, preferably in a residential care or support setting

• Demonstrable experience of working with people with a range of support needs

• Experience managing partnerships with other professionals using a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach

• Experience of managing buildings, budgets and expenditures

• Experience of operating safeguarding requirements and procedures

• Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills

• Commitment to promoting an environment, which has the highest regard for the Health and Safety of others

• Experience of working with young people who have complex needs, including mental health and substance use

• Ability to use logical processes for solving problems and making decisions in a complex environment

• Ability to effectively reflect on own practices for ongoing learning and development

• Commitment to working in a manner, which promotes diversity and equality ensuring that everyone is treated with respect and dignity and no one, suffers from discrimination.

• Respect for the values and ethos of Depaul and its founding partners.

Desirable

• Experience of managing a staff team across dispersed sites.

• Initiating a new service

What You’ll Receive

• Tailored training and development

• Flexible working options where suitable

• 26 days annual leave, rising with service

• Family‑friendly leave policies

• Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7

• Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

• Discounts across retail, travel, food, fitness and more

• Cash health plan for you and your family

• Death‑in‑service benefit

• Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

Depaul UK is committed to fair and inclusive recruitment, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds. If a role requires it under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975, we will carry out the appropriate Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check. We only look at information that is relevant to the role, and a criminal record will never be treated as an automatic barrier to employment. All DBS information is handled sensitively, confidentially and in line with the DBS Code of Practice, and we encourage applicants to discuss any concerns with us openly.

About Depaul UK

In the 1980s, high unemployment and steep inflation was contributing to a shocking rise in youth homelessness across London. Thousands of young people were sleeping rough every night, with many areas notoriously dubbed “cardboard cities” due to the visible rise in street homelessness. Appalled by the scenes playing out across the capital, a group of people came together to tackle the challenge head on. Led by Cardinal Basil Hume and Mark McGreevy OBE, in 1989 Depaul UK was born.

What began as a single housing project in North London soon expanded across London, Greater Manchester and the North East of England. Today, Depaul UK provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

As our name suggests, the work of Depaul UK has been inspired by St. Vincent de Paul – a man who devoted his life to helping vast numbers of people throughout the 17th century. St. Vincent de Paul’s belief in the intrinsic worth of all people and his commitment to taking bold action remain central to our values today. Depaul UK now forms part of a family of Depaul charities around the world. We each focus on the specific challenges in our own countries, but we’re united by our shared values and mission to end homelessness.