Youth Work Jobs

Children and Young People’s Engagement Coordinator

Hours: Full-Time, 35 hours per week

Starting salary: £25,767

Location: Contractual base is our office in Chorley. You will be working in youth settings in East Lancashire: Blackburn with Darwen, Pendle and Burnley

Do you want to join an organisation who are passionate about improving mental health and wellbeing for Lancashire communities? 

We’re looking for a bold and caring person to join our Children and Young People’s team. We want someone who has experience of engaging and working with young people in community settings, ideally in Lancashire.

To succeed in the role, you will need excellent communication skills, be confident, driven and have the ability to work autonomously in the community. You will be open, hardworking, creative and able to quickly build rapport with young people.

You will have experience working with the community and voluntary sector and understand the barriers some young people face to achieving good mental health and wellbeing.

This is an exciting time for Lancashire Mind as our children and young people’s services are growing, enabling us to reach and support more people. We want someone who believes in our vision of a Lancashire where everyone can have the best mental health and wellbeing possible. 

Lancashire Mind has a dedicated workplace wellbeing programme to ensure staff are supported with their own wellbeing which includes an Employee Assistance Programme, a half-day wellbeing day and wellbeing activities throughout the year.

We also offer a workplace pension scheme, paid emergency time off to care for dependents, regular supervision, and a commitment to supporting learning and development opportunities. We have also recently enhanced our annual leave offer with basic annual leave of 25 days, plus 3 days closure between xmas and new year, long service leave, the option to buy or sell annual leave and a half-day wellbeing day for all staff.

Above all, we are a friendly and supportive place to work; ‘Great staff team, positive and supportive culture’ (Lancashire Mind wellbeing survey, March 2024)

Please note: This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Deadline for applications: 9am on 22 May

Interviews will be held on 30 May

Registered Charity Number 1081427

Registered Company Number 3888655

Lancashire Mind

About us

The Church of England in London is growing, vibrant and at the heart of communities throughout the capital. At the London Diocesan Fund (LDF) we seek to do everything we can to support this mission and growth, using our resources to help our parishes and chaplains to serve over 4 million people.

The LDF is the employment body that serves and supports the Diocese of London and Church of England. The Diocesan of London comprises of c400 parishes north of the River Thames and within the M25 motorway.

The Diocese of London (LDF) is seeking a Community Engagement Lead to play a key role within the Children and Youth team, based from Pimlico, London.

Responsibilities

Community Engagement

• Engage stakeholders through various media channels, identifying stories and trends.
• Facilitate learning among churches and ensure they understand available support.
• Use email, social media, and Mighty Leaders for interaction.
• Maintain engagement rhythm with the community.

Content Creation

• Develop content to support Growing Younger initiatives.
• Capture impactful stories from across the diocese.
• Collaborate on shaping narratives and promoting resources.
• Support in capturing project impact and enhancing digital content.

Other duties

• Support diocesan communications featuring C&Y.
• Provide creative input for youth events.
• Coordinate promotion schedules and assist in event management.
• Analyse and report on community engagement impact.

Ideal candidate

Essential

• Qualification in communications or marketing practices, or equivalent.
• Experience managing email lists and social media accounts, including scheduling tools.
• Understanding of communications strategies.
• Empathetic to the mission and values of the Church of England.
• Passionate about youth work.

Desirable

• Experience using graphic design software.
• Experience in communications or marketing roles.
• Experience in running livestreams online or hybrid events.
• Managing real-time / social media platforms.
• Handling marketing data and analytics software.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

The Diocese of London is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse and inclusive workforce which represents our context and wider community.

We are aware that those of Global Majority Heritage/United Kingdom Minority Ethnic (GMH/UKME), women, and disabled people are currently under-represented among our clergy and workforce, and we particularly encourage applications from those with the relevant skills and experience that will increase this representation.

Benefits

The LDF offers a supportive working environment, opportunity for career development and the following financial benefits:

• Competitive remuneration package
• 27 annual leave days to rise to 30 after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays
• 15% employer pension contribution and salary sacrifice available
• Death in service benefit x3 of basic gross salary
• Enhanced maternity leave of six months full pay, after 12 months’ of employment
• Season ticket loans of public transport
• Access to Benenden Health Insurance
• EAP counselling through Health Assured 
• Up to £100 for eye test and contribution to spectacles
• Two additional paid days for community volunteering

Please apply via Pathways by 11 May 2024.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of and help shape a new DHSC funded project - Early Support Hubs - providing innovative ways to support Young People’s (11 – 25 years) Mental Health and Wellbeing across the borough of Hackney.

This Early Intervention approach will enable young people to access support in a timely way within their own community and we will work collaboratively with the Hackney Super Youth Hub enabling a one stop shop experience for local young people.

We are looking for passionate and motivated Therapeutic Youth Workers who are committed to supporting positive change for local young people to join our team.

Main Responsibilities:

· Undertake 1:1, group, detached and outreach work with young people

· Provide one-to-one key-working up to 12 sessions, combining youth work values and principles with a therapeutic, trauma-informed approach to help address a wide range of issues that may impact on young people’s mental health and wellbeing e.g. housing, employment, physical health, education, finances and relationships.

· Use a supportive, young person-centred approach. e.g. explaining what services are and what they do, ensuring information is accurate and up-to-date, filling out forms together, making personal introductions, accompanying young people to initial meetings/sessions, being with them during phone calls etc.  

· To work with the Hackney Super Youth Hub, to support young people and liaise with appropriate professionals in the network.

· To maintain confidential, up to date and accurate records of all sessions and plans.

· Be an advocate for young people, supporting colleagues to understand adolescence, and how to engage with young people, particularly with concerns around:

o mental health and wellbeing of children and young people.

o Supporting vulnerable groups who would not otherwise receive support (levelling-up).

o Improving children and young people’s engagement with EET.

Main Requirements (for details check the job description and person specification):

· QCF Level 3 Diploma in Youth work or equivalent and have experience of youth work in a youth work setting

· Experience of working with young people, delivering therapeutic groups and/or 1 to 1 interventions in a youth work or similar setting.

· To have an active interest in working with those affected by mental health issues and recognise the impact this has on their life.

· Experience of building positive, impactful relationships with young people responding to their needs

· Excellent, up to date knowledge and understanding of safeguarding needs and risks young people may face.

· Experienced in working as part of a safeguarding team around a child, i.e. Childrens services, education, CAMHS, etc

· Experience of working in with an outreach role, in the community and school settings.

· Confident working well independently as well as in a team setting.

· Ability to use own initiative and be able to respond to change as part of a pilot initiative.

· Computer literacy including Microsoft Office suite (incl. Outlook and Word), with ability to accurately input sensitive data electronically

· Be committed to equal opportunities and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in all that you do. Have experience of and active interest in working with people from a wide range of backgrounds.

· Be committed to and comply with Family Action’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Safeguarding policies, including Child Protection.

· Willing and able to work flexibly including ‘twilight’ (3 – 7pm), evening (up to 10pm) and weekend hours.  

· Ability to align with and support Family Action’s mission and values.

· Appointments are subject to Family Action receiving a satisfactory disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Benefits:

- an annual paid leave entitlement that commences at 25 working days pro-rata, rising each April by one day, subject to a maximum of 30 working days plus bank holidays.

- up to 6% matched-pension contributions.

- flexible working arrangements and new starters have the right to make flexible working requests from day one of employment.

- enhanced paid sick leave and paid family leave provisions;

- eye care and winter flu jabs vouchers,

- cycle to work scheme,

- investing in your professional development with ongoing quality training and career development opportunities.

We are forward looking, ambitious and committed to continuous improvement. We are a people focused, can-do organisation, which strives for excellence in all we do and operates with mutual respect

Closing Date: Ongoing – We reserve the right to close the advert once we receive a suitable amount  of application so please apply as soon as possible.

Interview date: Throughout April 2024 

We are seeking a Youth Work Director to lead and inspire our youth work.

Can you lead our passionate youth work team and deliver outstanding support for young people?

At The Mix Stowmarket Ltd., we support young people between 8 and 25 years throughout mid Suffolk, offering a wide range of established and highly respected youth work and educational programmes. Our reputation for youth work is second to none.

We see a future in which young people are change makers, with clear confident voices that are heard. A future in which any young person from any background can grow and flourish to become their best selves. In that future they exercise both their rights and responsibilities and invest their lives in building strong communities. We walk together with young people as trusted partners who support, guide, inspire and empower them with that future in mind. We are The Mix. 

You will be highly experienced in youth work with a real understanding of young people, a flair for getting the most out of people and delivering the best results. We require your extensive knowledge of the sector, including first-hand experience of supporting young people with their personal, professional, and educational needs.

As a senior leader, you will play a key role in developing and delivering our strategic ambitions, developing the team, maintaining the highest standards, and ensuring a lasting positive impact for young people and the wider community.

The right candidate will be an experienced leader, passionate about youth work and able demonstrate sound management and people skills experience.

The Mix Stowmarket Ltd. are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Any job offers are subject to the completion of satisfactory pre-employment checks including role-specific DBS (Criminal Record) checks.

London Youth has a track record of providing high quality outdoor learning and trips away from home, for over 75 years.  You will be joining us at a critical time as we seek to provide these opportunities for more children and young people than ever before.

As the Director you will oversee the smooth operation of Hindleap Warren, in East Sussex, and Woodrow High House, in Buckinghamshire.  You will also lead on the safety and safeguarding aspects of London Youth’s work, supported by a strong and well-qualified team.

Having already undertaken substantial renovations at Woodrow during the pandemic, London Youth is making plans to improve the Hindleap site.  You will be leading that capital investment programme.

London Youth aims to make more trips happen for our member youth organisations and young Londoners who would not otherwise get the chance. You will have a key role to play in maintaining existing support for this work and securing new opportunities.

Working closely with a highly committed and skilled Senior Team, the Director of Outdoor Centres is a key appointment to the team to enable us to realise our ambitions.

To be considered for this role we are looking for a highly motivated, values-based leader with a passion for improving the lives of young people.

London Youth is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and supported and welcomes applications regardless of sex, gender, race, age, sexuality, belief or disability.  To be successful in this role you will need to be personally committed to our anti-racism approach and our broader diversity work.

You will be expected to be on site at least three days a week.

Further details about the role and London Youth can be found on our Careers page, please take a look by clicking the apply through company site button.

If you wish to have an informal discussion about the opportunity, please contact, Alison Henderson, Director of People with the contact details on our job page.

The aim is to grow a secondary school ministry by enhancing current relationships in schools and developing new ones. The individual should seek opportunities to collaborate with Christian teachers to help equip them in schools’ ministry and develop ministry through assemblies, Christian unions and other schools’ outreach within the Sevenoaks area, with an aim to draw students into further St. Nicholas ministries.

To work with and complement the Youth Minister, supporting Contact (15-18s) and Centrepoint (11-14s), giving insight from a female perspective and developing opportunities for discipleship with female young adults. We have a growing number of female young adults in our youth groups and see a need to expand our ability to reach them with the gospel.

Greater Manchester Youth Federation (“GMYF”) is looking for 3 Youth Workers (2 x Part Time and 1 Full Time) who will work with young people at their Partington Youth and Community Centre and Whitemoss Centre in Charlestown, Manchester. 

About GMYF 

GMYF is a long-established charity that works with young people across Greater Manchester, to support their aspirations and create opportunities. Our mission is to deliver a year-round programme of recreational and educational opportunities to young people, volunteers and leaders within our stand-alone centres and to provide support to affiliated clubs. 

GMYF opened our first Youth Centre in Partington in September 2022 and are in the process of opening a new Youth Centre in Charlestown. These Centres provide support for young people with a wide range of activities and make a real difference to the lives of many young people. We also have various current/former playing field sites in the Greater Manchester area and jointly own an Outward Activities Centre in Cumbria – Ormside Mill. We have 27 affiliated clubs who undertake a variety of different activities for young people. GMYF has great ambition to continue to do more for young people, with its own assets and various potential funding opportunities.

Now is a fantastic time to get involved with us and support our work! 

To find out more about us, please visit Greater Manchester Youth Federation website. 

The Roles 

The role of the Youth Worker is to be young person centred and to provide a nurturing, safe and supporting environment for the young people, building and maintaining positive relationships with them. You will be predominantly based at Partington Youth and Community Centre working with 9-16 year olds. You will support the Youth Activities Lead in planning and delivering a full programme of activities including Centre-based activities and outdoor trips, as well as supporting our outdoor adventure team with outdoor activities and residentials.

Key areas of focus for the Youth Worker will be: 

• Support the young people: always take a young person-centred approach to all activities. Maintain the ethos of the organisation by providing a nurturing, safe and supporting environment. Build and maintain positive relationships with the young people, recognising their different needs and starting points. Have strong commitment to the values of acceptance and respect within youth and community work. Be a positive role model for the young people. Encourage the young people to take an active role in social action projects youth voice and young leader activities. 

• Assist the Youth Activities Lead: work together with the team in planning and delivery of full programme of activities, including evening youth club sessions. Assist in the development and introduction of additional activities eg twilight sessions, drop ins, youth voice, targeted group work, mentoring. Identify the formal and informal educational, social, cultural and recreational needs of the young people and plan a programme of positive interventions and innovations which enhances the knowledge, awareness and personal development of the young people. Articulate and record young people’s progression in sessional and project recording documentation and provide information for management and funding reporting. ·  

• Residentials: Attend weekend residentials and events at the GMYF’s outdoor pursuits centre and encourage the young people to get involved. Support and assist with the planning and delivery of off-site trips/activities and residentials at various locations.

• Safeguarding: comply with all policies and procedures, with reference to safeguarding, codes of conduct, health and safety, and equality and diversity. Be alert to issues of safeguarding and child protection, ensuring the welfare and safety of youth club members is promoted and safeguarded. Report any child protection concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Participate in Safeguarding training. 

• Represent Greater Manchester Youth Federation: Ensure conduct is professional and represents Greater Manchester Youth Federation in a positive manner both to internal and external visitors, working with a wide range of both local partners and community organisations. 

• Continued Personal Development: Commit to your own training and development, accessing available training including youth work specific courses e.g. National Youth Agency courses. Funding and support is available from GMYF to assist your continued development.

About You  

We are looking for candidates who believe in GMYF’s mission and are experienced in working with young people. You should be able to build positive relationships with young people, always taking a young person centred approach. You will have some experience planning and delivering activities, and bring creative and innovative ideas about activities you could run for the young people. You should have strong teamwork and organisational skills, understanding of safeguarding, and willingness to undertake further training.

Salary & Benefits 

£22,369-27,852 FTE depending on experience. NJC Grade 4-5 

Hours: part-time roles 17.5 hours per week and 35 hours per week full-time role– needs to be flexible, includes evenings and occasional residentials. Flexible working hours will be considered depending on successful candidates. 

Location: Part time roles - Partington Youth and Community Centre, Moss Lane, Partington, Manchester M31 4FA . Full time roles – Whitemoss Youth and Community Centre, Southdown Crescent, Charlestown, M9 7DQ 

Other Requirements  

The post is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check. 

Equality and diversity matter to us. If you think you would be suitable for the role, we would love to hear from you regardless of age, disability status, ethnicity, gender, religion or sexuality.

To Apply 

For more information on these roles and if you are interested in applying for the role, please click on the link below.  This will take you to our external HR Consultant, Ashfield HR vacancy page where you can apply with one document comprising your cover letter and CV. 

The closing date for applications is 12noon, Monday 6th May 24  

Your mission: to support and empower young people to develop the lifelong tools they need to lead fulfilling lives outside the confines of traditional services. You will carry a caseload of clients who you will formulate a comprehensive support and safety plan with, which forms part of the ongoing casework, promoting independence and preparing young people for moving into independent accommodation, and employment and education.

About the Role:

As the Young Person's Worker, you will be working within a strengths and recovery framework embedded within a trauma informed approach to ensure client needs and aspirations are at the centre of the support planning process. You will be the lead worker overseeing the support and development of the young person’s needs and aspirations. You will guide and signpost the young person to the relevant statutory and non statutory services and will be key in motivating and coaching the young person to develop independent living skills.

About you:

• You bring experience working with young people in the community and in accommodation services.
• Your toolkit includes practical skills in motivation and coaching young people
• Your approach is creative, analytical, trauma-informed and rooted in a strengths and recovery model.
• You can creatively inspire opportunities for our young people to thrive and to develop to their highest potential.
• A non-judgmental approach to working with complex needs young people and to promote a strengths-based approach and an understanding of and commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion.
• Strong team-working and interpersonal skills, maintaining a collaborative approach to supporting young people achieve the outcomes and goals we support them to set for themselves.

About Us:

We offer you more than a job; we offer you a chance to be part of a compassionate, driven team that's committed to making a real difference in people's lives. You'll have the opportunity to lead, co-create, and inspire change while enjoying a collaborative, growth-oriented environment.

Join us in creating a brighter, more hopeful future for young people in need. Apply now to become a pivotal part of our dynamic Management Team. Together, we'll transform lives and build a stronger community.

Important Info:

Closing Date: Sunday 19th May at midnight

Interview Date: Interviews to be held on an ongoing basis at SHP Head office

This post will require an Enhanced DBS check to be processed for the successful applicant.

LMK (Let Me Know) Youth Leader (Freelance Educator / Youth Worker) 

• Across London boroughs 

• £200 per 2hour workshop 

• Sessional 

• Available for a minimum of one delivery per month, pending workshop demands

About LMK

Good relationships shape our health and happiness, yet we are taught so little about them. LMK is a registered education charity on a mission to change that. We run workshops educating young people about healthy and unhealthy behaviours, so that they can avoid abuse and thrive in relationships. 

Using film and guided discussions, our workshop leaders support children and young people in honest conversations about relationships and leave them better equipped to spot the early warning signs of abuse and inspire them to enjoy healthy, fulfilling relationships.  We explore the 10 signs of healthy and unhealthy relationships and include practical lessons young people want to learn about (like consent) and practice scenarios in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment. 

LMK is a learning organisation and prides itself in supporting leaders to develop their skills. We offer training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) opportunities, as well as peer-to-peer learning and reflective practice sessions.

Job Description 

LMK is looking for passionate and organised educators (LMK Leaders) to run community workshops, aimed at young people aged between 11 and 24. Through engaging, relatable, workshops you will help young people identify signs of healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviours, provide strategies for them to recognise the early warning signs of abuse and give them tools to keep themselves and their friends safe. 

The minimum hours required per workshop is 3 hrs. This includes arriving 30 minutes before delivery, 1.5 to 2 hrs delivery and then remaining back 10 minutes and being accessible to young people who would like further information or a one-to-one conversation, surrounding the subject of relationships.

There is also 30 minutes admin, which is usually completed off-site, such as inputting student surveys and a Leader survey.

Responsibilities 

• Always adhere to LMK and partner safeguarding practices and procedures.

• Respond to comms (emails/WhatsApp) sent out by LMK core team members, in a timely manner, to support planning and organising of sessions.

• Meet with co-facilitators to carry out pre-session planning, minimum two working days before delivery.

• Plan and deliver interactive LMK workshops in educational, sports and community settings in line with LMK delivery style and ethos.

• Use your experience and knowledge of the issues affecting young people to tailor the workshops accordingly. 

• Ensure all youth participants and the adults in school/community organisations who attend a LMK workshop complete the post session feedback surveys.

• Complete reflective post session Leader surveys to support practice and programme development, after each workshop.

• Debrief with LMK’s Programme Manager and provide ongoing feedback about your sessions, through LMK’s reflective practice processes.

• Undertake relevant training associated with LMK’s work including but not restricted to child protection, safeguarding, violence against women and girls (VAWG).

• Continue to learn about and develop your skills on the issues affecting young people’s relationships including domestic violence, abuse, adverse childhood experiences, trauma informed practice, gang culture and grooming, mental health, sexual exploitation, consent, sharing of nudes /sexting, bullying in person and online, tech and online safety, pornography.

• Provide feedback and co-design training and educational resources on issues affecting young people and their relationships, including opportunities to share your knowledge and expertise at peer-to-peer learning sessions.

• Attend termly virtual Leader huddles to remain connected to peers and organisational values, mission, and purpose.

• Contribute towards and keep up to date with LMK internal/external communications platforms, such as LMK Newsletters and social media.

• Engage with LMK’s Youth Advisory Board Members, if and when invited to do so.

• Lead by example and promote healthy relationship behaviours in your own lives/communities and within LMK (team player; acknowledging and working with diversity; being receptive to new ideas and developmental feedback, etc)

• Use your own networks to recruit new schools and youth groups into the programme.

• Drive forward our evaluation programme - collecting data, as well as providing on-going feedback to LMK.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Extensive experience of teaching or working with young people (9 to 24 yrs old) in an educational, sports or community setting.

• Minimum 2 years’ experience co-designing, delivering and evaluating group sessions, consisting of minimum, of 12 and maximum of 30 participants.

• Experience or co-designing session plans and co-facilitating with others; able to collaborate equally with others.

• A strong commitment to young people and knowledge and understanding of issues affecting their relationships.

• Excellent communication, interpersonal skills with the ability to create a safe and non-judgmental space, that allows young people to speak freely about their relationships and experience.

• Strong emotional intelligence and the ability to deliver sensitive information whilst treating young people’s concerns with respect.

• Capable of maintaining confidentiality and professional boundaries with young people, peers, and professionals.

• Able to adapt and be flexible in workshops to get the best engagement from a range of participants. 

• Skilled at facilitating virtual workshops and working with a selection of online portals. 

Requirements 

• Entitled to work in the UK.

• Hold a DBS certificate or be willing to let us undertake a check on your behalf. 

• Have a recent safeguarding qualification from a recognised provider or be willing to undertake additional training in this area.

• Flexibility to work non-traditional, after-school and occasional weekend / holiday hours.

• Comply with policies and procedures relating to child protection, confidentiality, data protection and reporting concerns to an appropriate person.

LMK strives to create a fair and healthy environment where all our colleagues feel valued and able to be their authentic selves at work. We understand that our people have commitments and personal interests outside of work and so we create a flexible working environment, in which people can perform at their best.

LMK values the differences that a diverse workforce brings and is committed to inclusivity. We welcome all applicants from any race, ethnicity, colour, religion, gender, age, sexuality, or any other protected characteristic.

We can make reasonable adjustments throughout the application process and on the job. Please let us know, by contacting us separately if you need any adjustments or changes to be made during the recruitment process because of a disability or long-term health condition.

You can learn more about how we handle your personal data and your rights by reviewing our privacy notice LMK Privacy Policy 

Bonny Downs Community Association has been working together to change lives and transform our community since 1998. Over the past 25 years our team has grown to provide a wide array of services that benefit Newham residents from all walks of life. 

This role is specifically funded through the Youth Endowment fund as a pilot project ‘Thriving Communities’. You will be required to work alongside Thriving Communities commissioners, as well as the project’s Youth Justice Worker’s, Educational Psychologist, and/or professionals assigned to individual young people’s cases- such as teachers, social workers and mentors. The Thriving Communities project is a small part of a wider collaborative project, EMPOWER YOUTH, delivered by two partner charities so, although this position is based at BDCA, you will be working closely with a second East Ham Youth Partnership Project lead and team of Sessional Assistants based at nearby charity The Renewal Programme (TRP). Staff from each organisation will work together to deliver the programme and cross-refer young people to activities led by both teams. You will also be required to work with BDCA’s own Children & Families team during the summer scheme and liaise with our marketing team all year round. External partner agencies that you will work directly with include Thriving Communities panel, Newham Youth Empowerment Service, Newham Community Engagement Team, local sports clubs and schools.

The position is a dual role. You’ll join as the organisation’s sole dedicated Youth Worker and will lead on a portion of Free to Be’s year-round follow-on support for vulnerable young people who we have initially engaged via our Thrive Outside residentials. This will involve working with a member of the management team to run our Young Leader and Mentoring programmes as well as working one to one with a small caseload of our children who have more complex needs.

You’ll also help lead at least 10 of our residential projects across each year - working on the ground with the children, leading the volunteers, and helping make the projects special, safe, and transformative for vulnerable young people.

Key Responsibilities: 

1. Youth Work (approx. 60% of workload):

When not on residentials (see below), you’ll help to lead the delivery of our year-round work. All of our young people come to us initially through our Thrive Outside ‘Gateway’ residentials. Through that residential week they’ll build deep trust with the organisation. Many however have complex life situations requiring longer term support. Your role will be to deliver and lead the youth work elements of this longer-term support. This will include:

a)     Co-lead our ‘Young Leader’ Programme. This programme currently consists of a weekend residential training project to skill up young people, aged 14-17, who have previously attended residentials as younger children, to return as volunteers on those projects. Young Leaders also attend a thank you and feedback weekend each Autumn. We have recently begun to develop this programme further to offer greater year-round support including 1:1 keywork and support through challenges; sessions focusing on life skills development; linking them into work experience/capacity building experiences. We would also like to develop a ‘Youth Board’ or similar in the coming couple of years. You will lead the youth development aspects of the programme: delivering support sessions and keywork to Young Leaders, arranging development opportunities, building participation, and growing the offer over time. 

b)     Hold a small caseload of higher need young people. Working with a caseload of 4-6 young people at any one time you will deliver targeted 1:1 keywork sessions supporting young people with significant needs – offering advice, support, activities, and crucially help to work through sensitive or complex issues including difficult relationships with parents/carers; low school attendance; challenges with emotional/mental health.

c)      Hold a small caseload of volunteer mentors and their mentees - providing regular support, supervision, and guidance meetings to the mentors; ensure mentors are running sessions safely and in line with policy; leading Start of Mentoring meetings with children, parents and mentors; taking the lead on liaising with the wider network of support around the child Including advocacy, attending multi agency meetings and safeguarding referrals. Mentoring is one of Free to Be's follow-on programmes.

d)      of support, building on relationships built during our Initial residentials. Volunteer mentors are matched to our existing young people requiring ongoing support, and then offer regular sessions for at least a year with a focus on building young people's confidence and emotional health.

2. Thrive Outside Project Coordination (approx. 40% of workload):

Our residential projects are immersive, exhausting in all the right ways, and full of opportunities for children to feel included, valued and successful. Children usually spend 5 days at a time with us - many will paddle in the sea for the first time, play hide and seek in the woods, build rafts, canoe across lakes, visit farms, forests, ruined castles and splash through streams. A small number of projects are camping based, but most run from a variety of residential centres that we hire for the purpose. The majority of  these projects take place during the school holidays.

We want you to play a key part in at least 10 such projects a year. Initially spending time in the different project roles (working intensively with small groups of children; providing floating support to the project coordinators; perhaps overseeing catering or driving our minibusses.). Once you are familiar with the way  projects work, we will support you to progress to lead and coordinate them, working alongside a member of our staff team or an experienced volunteer. This will involve managing teams of between 5 and 25 volunteers, to oversee the wellbeing of between 8 and 20 children and young people per project.

Jointly with the other project coordinator, you will:

• Take lead responsibility for the organisation, structure, and safe running of the project.

• Provide leadership, support and direction to the project’s volunteer team. Set the tone and ethos of   the project, understand and model Free to Be’s approach to supporting young people, and lead the team to create the best experience possible for the children.

• Build excellent working relationships with Free to Be’s children and young people, ensuring they feel welcomed and included and that their safety and support needs are fully met during the project.

•  Support the volunteer team to respond effectively and in a positive manner to children presenting behaviour,risk issues (including safeguarding issues), or other challenges which may arise.

• Liaise with the parents/carers of Free to Be children, building positive and supportive relationships, understanding many may have been let down by statutory or other organisations in the past.

• Work to ensure safety and quality standards on residentials are of the highest level by ensuring Free toBe’s policies and processes, (including safeguarding, health and safety) are implemented at all times and issues are efficiently and constructively problem-solved, with the support of the leadership team.

•  Be the ultimate problem solver on the project - anything can happen, and frequently does!

As a small but fast-growing charity, we may also, from time to time, ask you to step in and support with other tasks in line with the development of the organisation.

The Head of Youth Engagement & Participation is a key senior leadership role at Peer Power Youth. Responsible for leading the youth engagement team (YET) across all aspects of safe and supported youth engagement (individual change) and ensuring youth voices contribute to tangible and meaningful system change (participation/system change).

It’s a great time to join Peer Power Youth! We have recently secured key funding to strengthen and develop the charity and deepen our impact for system change and positive change for young people. During 2024 we will be co-creating an ambitious new strategy and vision ahead for 2025 –2030. You can play a key role in shaping and delivering this with us as part of our valued community that spans young partners, trustees, advisory forum and our staff team.

Our model of youth engagement and participation has been co-created by young people and consists of:

• Personal development/Peer to Professional (life skills/training/work readiness) offer – creating Individual Change

• Youth Voice and Influence projects– creating tangible System Change

• Training, Coaching, and Workshops that are designed and delivered by young partners for professionals in justice, care and health settings. Along with resources to support System Change

Partnerships include NHS (regional and national), Youth Justice Board, Ministry of Justice/Youth Custody Service, HMI Probation, Youth Justice Services, youth and community organisations and secure settings. The Head of Youth Engagement and Participation will directly line manage 4-5 senior staff members but holds the overall responsibility for the Youth Engagement Team.

The Young Partners we engage and connect with, have experience of justice and care/looked after systems. We work across London and Southeast regions, with occasional national events. Our work takes place in the community and in secure settings (examples include -HMYOI Feltham, Oasis Restore Secure School, and Secure Children’s Homes).

About Blackburn  & Darwen Youth Zone:

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is a 21st century youth hub located at the heart of Blackburn and a dedicated site in Darwen, open to young people aged 5 to 25 years old, aiming to change the prospects offered to young people in the area. Our vision is to be at the heart of the community, collaborating to create a more cohesive and prosperous Blackburn and Darwen.

We are one of the leading youth organisations in Blackburn, with a membership of over 5000 young people. We are open 7 days a week, 52 weeks of a year and offer over 40 different activities and opportunities in our open-access youth club.

Context of Role:

Our Head of Young People's Services is a critical, strategic and operational role within Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone. As a supporting member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), you will work closely with the Director of Operations, CEO and the Director of Finance to ensure the charity delivers its vision and strategic objectives. This includes strategies for sustaining and overseeing the ongoing transformation of Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zones' operational business plan and its operational processes and infrastructure. Your leadership skills will play a crucial role (in conjunction with the leadership team) in establishing a platform and environment for growth by creating a best-in-class, people-first, employee-of-choice that changes the prospect of local children and young people (aged 5 to 25 years). You must be abreast of new opportunities (sourced independently and through your colleagues) and advise the leadership team and board on all Universal and Targeted Service operational matters, including its performance, risk, forecast/trajectories, and the general state of play. 

You will need to show exceptional skills and the ability to meet KPI’s relating to (but, not limited to) leadership skills, the ability to design and deliver organisational operational plans, risk management, departmental budget management, stakeholder relations and organisational safeguarding responsibility. 

We have big plans for the Youth Zone and this is an exciting time to join us. We would expect the right candidate for this role to be open to new opportunities and there is a strong line of progression within the charity for the right person. 

About Us  

akt is the UK’s national LGBTQ Youth Homelessness charity. We provide safe homes, mentoring, and support to ensure that no young person needs to choose between a safe home and being who they are. 24% of young people facing homelessness in the UK identify as LGBT (National Scoping of LGBT Youth Homelessness, akt, 2015) and 78% of LGBTQ+ young people cited an absence of family support (The LGBTQ+ Youth Homelessness Report, akt, 2021). The charity was founded in 1989 and operates service centres in London, Manchester, Newcastle, Bristol and works online through a Digital Service to offer support to young people outside of our four office regions. akt works with over 800 vulnerable young people a year providing both face to face and online assistance.

Job Summary

Please note this is a part time role working 21 hours per week with a pro rata salary of £15,450 per year (£25,750 per year full time equivalent). 

The role will involve the provision of youth engagement activities to a diverse range of LGBTQ+ young people aged 16-25 who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or living in a hostile environment. Our focus is in maintaining our ability to provide the highest service possible, giving our young people the opportunities to access peer support, community engagement and life skills. Overall, we aim to support LGBTQ+ young people into safe accommodation and work or education and prevent them from becoming homeless again in the future.

Key Tasks:

• Work as part of the Youth Engagement team to engage LGBTQ+ youth in a programme of meaningful activities designed to promote wellbeing and support young people to meet their personal goals.
• Ensure young people are meaningfully engaged in the co-creation of akt’s services and projects. 
• With the support of the Youth Engagement Manager develop, manage, and grow akt’s LGBTQ+ youth work programme in Manchester.
• Facilitate group work and peer support sessions and complete risk assessments.
• Support the Trans Pathway group.
• Develop and grow our programme of LGBTQ+ national and regional youth events.
• Work with young people and colleagues to explore the potential for national/regional trans youth events and activities.
• Support young people to be involved with the development and creation of an ever-growing collection of online/practical resources and videos to provide advice, support and reassurance to LGBTQ+ young people, on issues and topics that matter to them most, in conjunction with Digital Services and Marcomms Teams.
• Support fundraising and business development activities in relation to the growth of our youth work and youth engagement work.
• Support young people with opportunities to be involved in participation events.
• Support the Youth Engagement Manager to engage young people in research opportunities and sharing experiences to shape best practice for external partner agencies.
• Engage with external providers on intersectionality to ensure groups are inclusive and accessible at the service.
• Support the planning and delivery of national events for young people.
• Support youth engagement activities in other cities as required.

More information about the role can be found in the job information attached to this advert. 

Application deadline: 12am (midnight) on Sunday 28th April 2024

Interviews: Wednesday 15th May 2024