Lead youth development worker jobs

Youth Worker – Team Lead (Inters Club)

Oasis@Knights (Streatham/Brixton Hill, South London)

Hours: 5 hours per week (0.14FTE) (Monday 17:30-20:30 and 2 additional hours of admin)

Contract: Permanent

Salary: £4,215 per annum (£29,508 for 1 FTE)

Want to join a Youth Centre offering a diverse range of activities for the local community?

Want to enable young people to thrive?

Want to be lead a dynamic, passionate and impactful team?

Knights Youth Centre (KYC) was established in 1936 as an independent Christian Charity. The centre provides a range of universal and targeted youth work programmes in partnership with a number of statutory and voluntary organisations and is located on the boundary of the Clapham Park Estate (the largest estate in the Borough of Lambeth). In 2025 KYC is joining the Oasis family of charities and will be known as Oasis@Knights. Oasis’ vision is for community, a place where everyone is included, making a contribution and reaching their God-given potential.

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Team Lead to run our Inters Group Session (ages11-14) at Oasis@Knights. This is an opportunity to run engaging and informative activities for 20-40 young people aged 11-14 in the Lambeth area, inspiring them to reach their potential and to make a real difference to their community. The successful candidate will be responsible for running these sessions weekly, managing session staff, delivering engaging activities, attending occasional day trips, as well as responding to and reporting any safeguarding concerns. 

Key responsibilities will include: 

1. To lead the delivery of youth sessions at Knights Youth Centre (KYC) and facilitate youth provision in line with the ethos, values and vision of Oasis. 

1. To work and engage with young people (aged 11-14), by delivering planned sessions, activities and occasional trips for 20-40 individuals.   

1. Deliver informal education opportunities and small group mentoring within the identified sessions and the wider community. 
2. To manage and coordinate KYC staff members whilst leading sessions.

1. Record all activity on our data management system. 

1. Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people you come into contact with. 

1. Actively engage in the learning and professional development courses provided as part of this employment.

The successful post holder must have:

· Proven experience in leading youth work provision for young people aged 11-14.

· Experience of managing staff in a youth provision setting.

· An understanding of the challenges impacting young people in Lambeth – in particular education, employment, mental health and criminal exploitation.

· Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive working relationships.

· Knowledge of safeguarding practices and experience working with young people in challenging environments.

· A commitment to the Oasis ethos and values, including inclusion, equality, and perseverance.

As part of the package, Oasis offers:

· A pension scheme, offering 7% employer contribution.

· A generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (plus 8 Bank Holidays).

· Policies which promote well-being and are family friendly.

To apply, please send your CV and a Supporting Statement (no more than two A4 pages) 

Please expand on your CV to tell us about relevant skills, experience and qualification you have, that relate to the job description and person specification.

We actively encourage applications from people of all ethnic backgrounds and underrepresented groups. If you require assistance or adjustments to overcome potential barriers during the recruitment process, please let us know.

Completed CV and Cover Letter should be returned by 9 am Friday 6th March 2026.

Interviews will take place online: Wednesday 11th March 2026.

Oasis is committed to making a difference to the lives of the communities it works in, and as such you must show a willingness to demonstrate commitment to the values and behaviours which flow from the Oasis ethos.  We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff to share this commitment and to undergo appropriate checks, including enhanced DBS checks. 

The successful candidates must have the right to work in the UK.  Oasis cannot assist with sponsorship or visas.

Oasis supports Equal Opportunities.  Registered Charity No. 1163889

The role
The Domestic Abuse Prevention All Risk Perpetrator Worker will strive to make contact and work on a one-to-one basis with perpetrators whose victims have been identified through all levels of risk. 

The purpose of this role is to move the perpetrator along the spectrum of awareness; acceptance of impact; desire to change; to voluntary engagement in behavioural change to end the cycle of abuse for children who are victims of domestic abuse. 

The Domestic Abuse Prevention Worker will work with people on: awareness raising and developing motivation to change with people who recognise they are at risk of or are harming their partner (low risk), individual case management and group behavioural change programmes (standard and medium risk), intensive case management aimed at high harm and/or significant recidivist perpetrators. To do this, the Domestic Abuse Prevention worker will work closely with existing agencies as part of a co located multi agency approach. 

The Domestic Abuse Prevention worker will work closely with the victim/survivor IDVA service to review risk, develop safety plans, and improve outcomes for all parties involved. 

The work carried out in Bolton is currently focused on MATAC where we provide the service sometimes referred to as PAST.

The Prevention, Action and Support Team (PAST) provides an intensive case management service for individuals (all genders, 18+) identified by the police as high risk, high harm perpetrators of domestic abuse.  The intervention lasts 8 – 16 weeks, (with potential extensions based on the duration of the perpetrators inclusion in the perpetrator panel cohort).  Cases are referred through a police-led perpetrator panel (e.g., MATAC or DATAC).

PAST’s intensive case management approach balances support, accountability, and disruption to deliver tailored interventions that enhance victim safety, provide perpetrators with opportunity for change – while ensuring they are held accountable for their actions.

About you

You’ll have a deep understanding of the nature of domestic abuse and its effects on clients and children, as well as the reasons behind abusive behaviours towards intimate partners.

Your knowledge extends to the range of statutory and voluntary agencies that clients and their children may encounter, and you are aware of the impact of domestic abuse on children and parenting, including the additional needs of clients from BMER communities. 

You will have experience in working with clients on issues of domestic abuse, providing one-to-one and group support and advice, managing your own workload and administration, and assessing the risk and safety of your clients and those connected to your client.  You will have handled safeguarding disclosures and referrals, and you communicate clearly with a range of people both over the telephone and in person. 

You will be organised, able to use your initiative, and work effectively as part of a multi-service team. Your administrative skills are strong, and you are adept at using a computer to maintain effective systems. 

Flexible and willing to work evenings, you can travel independently. Additionally, you will have an understanding of trauma-informed practices, risk mitigation, and safeguarding. Experience liaising with social workers and other professionals, and in related areas such as substance misuse, child protection, or family support, is desirable. 

Fluency in an additional language and skills in group work are also advantageous. You stay updated with best practices and new initiatives. 

We want you to feel empowered to bring your authentic self to this role, so we encourage flexible working around core hours. We offer an annual continuous Professional Development allowance, generous annual leave entitlement and Birthday leave.

About us

We want to make working at TLC an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
It takes a dedicated, passionate, and flexible team to deliver the range of services we provide. We’re lucky to have over 150 people on our teams and 12 Trustees who believe in what we do. We are looking for enthusiastic, experienced, engaged and highly motivated people to join our team.

We aim to encourage a culture where people can be themselves and be valued for their strengths. We seek to attract and employ the best people from the widest pool, reflecting the diverse range of people we support.

We want to make our recruitment processes accessible to everyone, so if there is any way that we can support you to be the best you can be, please contact us. 

This post is subject to an enhanced DBS check.

Please note: we will be shortlisting applications on an on-going basis so we encourage applicants not to wait until the closing date to submit an application where possible.

Can you inspire and support a young person through the many challenges they face? Are you looking to work for an organisation that enables you to make a real difference in the life of a young person? Would you like help to develop your skills and aspirations in this field?

The Hebe Foundation is a Christian Youth charity working with all young people to help them discover and use their gifts & talents; whilst building the character to sustain their gifts. We have a burning passion to see young people grow in every area, and for us to be able to provide them with the environment and tools for that growth. We create innovative, inspiring, educational, fun projects for all young people, with an emphasis on those who are from challenging circumstances.

We are seeking an organised Assistant Project Manager & inspirational Lead Youth Worker to assist the Project Manager & leadership team to plan, coordinate and manage our various youth projects. You’ll engage directly with the young people in an authentic creative way providing support and facilitation. You should be confident to deputise for the Project Manager.

Location: Clapham, London UK, however the option of hybrid working is available at times.

Responsibilities include:

Project Management

· Assist in planning, implementing, coordinating and reviewing projects

· Engage with and deliver projects to participants (young people)

· Ensure monitoring, evaluation and reporting of projects

· Manage social media platforms -content & design

· Liaise with young people, parents/carers and other stakeholders

Youth Work

· Lead our team of sessional youth workers and volunteers

· Provide pastoral support and guidance to young people

· Deliver quality focused youth provision across our sites including schools

· Co-developing programmes

· Identify and draw out gifts and talents in our young people

· Assessing character development

· Ensuring participant safety during interaction (following Hebe policies & protocols)

Key Requirements/Desirables:

· Evidence of Youth Work experience

· SEN experience

· Project planning

· Excellent organisational skills

· Social Media competency

· Great IT Skills

· Excellent people skills and ability to interact with a wide range of client staff and demands.

· Ability to problem solve and work independently

Full Hebe training, security checks and Enhanced DBS checks will be undertaken by the successful applicants

16hrs per week (base which increases during project delivery).  Rate is £14.50 per hour.

Following a successful application to the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, we are seeking a Youth Worker to lead on systems change as part of our Brighter Rainbow Project. A key requirement of the post is to hold a JNC Level 6 Youth and Community Work qualification or equivalent (or due to complete 2026- 2027). We also welcome applicants with related subjects including nursing, primary teaching, secondary teaching, social work etc.

Overall Purpose of the Role

Youth Action Alliance (YAA) exists to support the personal and social development of young people in Kensington and Chelsea and neighbouring boroughs, helping them build resilience, confidence, and skills for the present while shaping positive futures.

We are seeking an experienced, values-driven male youth worker to lead the Staying Connected & Boys Project. This is a key role combining strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, focused on engaging boys and young men aged 11–19 (up to 21, subject to funding) who may be facing multiple challenges.

The post holder will design, deliver, and grow a high-quality, trauma-informed programme that provides safe, trusted spaces through weekly group sessions, one-to-one mentoring, targeted interventions, education attainment, Advice, guidance, and signposting, Off‑site trips, enrichment activities, and holiday provision. The role supports young people to remain connected to education, training, positive relationships, and their wider community, while playing a central role in shaping YAA’s youth offer and driving meaningful, lasting change.

Youth Worker (Part-time)

17.5 hours per week, worked flexibly to meet the needs-led nature of the programme. The role is primarily evenings typically across 3–4 days, with occasional weekend work.

Grades 4–5 FTE £26,403 - £32,063, pro-rata

Actual £12,322 - £14,962, dependent on qualifications and experience, for 17.5 hours/week plus 5% employer pension. 

Join Greater Manchester Youth Federation (GMYF)—a long-established charity running vibrant youth centres across Greater Manchester. We’re dedicated to raising aspirations and creating opportunities for young people, especially those facing disadvantage, through exciting activities, outreach, and outdoor adventures. Our approach champions youth voice, inclusion, and building confidence and resilience. We offer outdoor education, including residentials at our own Ormside Mill site in Cumbria and other sites nationwide.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop positive relationships with 8–16year olds using a young person-centred approach
• Plan and deliver engaging centre-based and outreach sessions
• Support Outdoor Education, DofE, and adventure programmes, including attending several residentials per year
• Champion youth voice, leadership, and social action
• Monitor progress and ensure a safe, inclusive environment

While the post includes both youth and play sessions, we are particularly keen to attract applicants with youth work experience to strengthen this area within the team.

About you

• Experience working with young people
• Commitment to inclusive, relationship-based youth work
• Reliable, approachable and able to work well as part of a team

Why join GMYF

• Make a real difference to young people
• Access high-quality training, CPD and development opportunities
• Work in a supportive, values-led organisation 

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of working with young people, demonstrating a young person-centered approach
• Good understanding of safeguarding and risk management
• Able to build and maintain positive relationships with young people
• Experience planning and delivering activities, projects and individual interventions on issues relating to young people’s health and wellbeing
• Good organisational and communication skills, including working with partner agencies
• Experience of record keeping and data capture using MIS systems including recording young people concerns 
• Understand and implement policies and procedures, including completing risk assessments 
• Strong team working skills and professionalism at all times 

Desirable

• Youth Work Qualification L3 or above
• L2 safeguarding qualification or willingness to obtain in first 3 months
• Experience working creatively
• Experience of youth participation and using skills to capture the voice and views of young people
• Experience working 1 to 1 with young people and in small groups
• Ability to utilise technology and IT packages to develop projects with young people
• Driving license/access to car and/or willing to train to drive minibuses
• Experience of leading social action projects with young people
• First Aid & Fire Marshal certificates or willing to obtain in first 3 months

Other Requirements

GMYF is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people; the applicant will be subject to safer recruitment checks including enhanced DBS.

GMYF is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.

This is a UK-based post, and applicants must be living in and have the right to work in the UK. If applicable, please detail your Visa status in your covering letter. 

Please let us know if you need us to make any adjustments during the application or recruitment process and we’ll be happy to support you.

Closing date for applications: 12noon, Monday 9th March 2026

Interview date: From 2pm, Wednesday 18th March 2026

Start Date: As soon as possible, subject to the completion of pre‑employment checks, including DBS and onboarding

Please visit our website for more information - Greater Manchester Youth Federation / Current Vacancies – Greater Manchester Youth Federation

The National Youth Agency is looking for a Head of Business Development.

Head of Business Development
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time – 37 hours per week
Salary: £53,000 – £59,000 dependent on experience and qualifications
Location: Home-based in England with occasional travel for meetings, workshops, and team activities. Head Office is in Leicester.

What we do

As the national body for youth work, the NYA has a dual function. We are the professional statutory and regulatory body (PSRB) responsible for qualifications, quality standards, and safeguarding for youth work and services in England. In line with our charity mission and aims, we also champion youth work through research, advocacy, campaigns, and programmes.

We work in partnership and believe in collaborative leadership, listening to youth workers and the youth work sector so that we can understand their needs and respond to the challenges they face. We are ambitious for youth work and for young people and integrate youth voice and influence across our work

About the Role

The Head of Business Development will play a pivotal role in shaping and delivering the organisation’s Business Development Strategy, leading the Business Development team to secure new opportunities, and ensuring the sustainability and growth of NYA’s income streams.

Key Responsibilities

As Head of Business Support, you will:

• Lead, motivate, and support the Business Development team to deliver ambitious growth targets.
• Develop and implement business development strategies to secure new commercial opportunities and funding from public, voluntary, and private sector partners.
• Spearhead new strategic initiatives for business development, identifying and pursuing innovative opportunities for growth and diversification.
• Build and maintain high-value relationships with clients, funders, and stakeholders, ensuring NYA’s offer is visible and compelling.
• Oversee the development and management of the sales pipeline, ensuring targets are met or exceeded.
• Work closely with the Director of Growth to align business development activities with NYA’s strategic objectives.
• Engage directly with trustees, including managing the relationship with the Finance and Growth Committee, preparing reports, and presenting business development performance and strategy.
• Lead on market research, business planning, and the development of commercial proposals and pitches.
• Represent NYA at meetings, events, and conferences, promoting the organisation’s reputation and offer.
• Support the Director of Growth in reporting to the CEO and Board on business development performance and strategy.

Why Work for NYA?

• NYA operates as a people-focused organisation, prioritising the well-being and needs of its employees.
• NYA offers an exceptional flexible working approach which encourages our team to balance professional responsibilities with their personal life.
• A remote based team, spread across England, fostering inclusivity and diverse talent. Despite geographical distances between team members, NYA maintains a highly motivated and connected team through the optimisation of digital tools.
• NYA is committed to supporting the continual personal and professional development of our team and helping them achieve their ambitions.
• We provide 25 days leave plus 8 days, life assurance scheme, 5% employer pension contribution and a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme via Spectrum.life with unlimited specialist support available to all NYA employees.

Closing date: 5pm Wednesday 18th March
Interviews: Monday 23rd March (subject to change)

Interested?

If you would like to apply and find out more about this position, please click the apply button to be directed to our website. 

The National Youth Agency is an equal opportunities employer.

At NYA our inclusive culture means that we embrace individual differences and understand that we need a diverse team to achieve our organisations mission.

We wish to recruit candidates from all backgrounds to ensure our team reflects the rich diversity of the communities we serve. We encourage applications from anyone regardless of disability, ethnicity, heritage, gender, sexuality, religion, socio-economic background and political beliefs but we particularly welcome applications from global majority candidates and those from other minoritised ethnic groups in the UK as they are currently underrepresented in our team.

Please note: We use AI detector software, so applications or CV’s with high levels of AI generated content may be disregarded. We understand that AI tools can offer support to candidates who have learning differences, which is why we will accept applications with some AI assistance.

No agencies please.

We’re looking for a motivated and collaborative Youth Work Team Lead to join our Children & Young People’s Service in Brighton. This is a key leadership role within a service that is actively strengthening its youth work offer, embedding participation and inclusion, and supporting young people’s emotional wellbeing and mental health through trauma-informed practice.

You’ll combine hands-on youth work delivery with leadership and coordination responsibilities, helping to create safe, welcoming and inspiring spaces where young people aged 10–25 can connect, feel heard and thrive.

We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, particularly those from communities currently underrepresented in our workforce.

You will:

• Deliver high-quality, inclusive youth work, embedding participation and creativity across programmes and activities
• Coordinate and lead youth work sessions at the Young People’s Centre and off-site locations, including nature-based provision
• Act as a senior member of staff on duty, managing safeguarding, risk and safe delivery
• Provide line supervision and day-to-day support to youth workers, sessional staff and volunteers
• Work collaboratively with partners and colleagues to strengthen the Youth Hub offer and young people’s pathways

We’re looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Strong experience delivering youth work with children and young people
• Confidence acting as a lead worker, including responsibility for safe delivery and decision-making
• A sound understanding of youth work principles, participation and safeguarding
• Experience supervising or supporting staff, sessional workers or volunteers
• Commitment to inclusive, trauma-informed and neurodivergent-affirming practice

A recognised youth work qualification (e.g. JNC-recognised or equivalent) is desirable, alongside a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Why join us?

Impact Initiatives is a Brighton-based charity with a long-standing commitment to supporting children, young people, adults with disabilities and older people across Sussex.

Our Children & Young People’s Service provides safe, inclusive spaces and relationship-based youth work that supports wellbeing, connection and growth. You’ll be joining a values-led organisation with supportive leadership, regular supervision and a strong focus on learning and development.

Closing date: Wednesday 4 March 2026
Interviews: Tuesday 10 March 2026

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1974) and the successful applicant will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Overall Purpose of the Role

Youth Action Alliance (YAA) is seeking an enthusiastic, committed, and values-driven Support Youth Worker to support the delivery of two key strands of our youth offer: the Girls Project and the Youth Advisory Board (YAB).

This is a varied and rewarding role combining hands-on youth work with project support, centred on empowering young people aged 11–19 (and up to 24 where appropriate). The post holder will work directly with girls and young people from diverse communities, supporting their personal development, wellbeing, confidence, and ability to use their voice to influence positive change in their communities.

Working within a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment, the Support Youth Worker will help deliver innovative programmes that promote life skills, female empowerment, youth voice, and meaningful participation, while supporting the smooth day-to-day running of both projects.

About the Projects

Girls Project (Wednesday and Thursday)

The Girls Project supports girls aged 11–19, focusing on life skills, wellbeing, confidence-building, and female empowerment. The programme provides safe spaces for girls to explore identity, build resilience, and access mentoring, advice, and signposting to additional support services.

Youth Advisory Board (YAB) (Friday)

The Youth Advisory Board is a group of young people aged 11–19 who act as advisors to Youth Action Alliance. YAB members amplify youth voice across YAA’s work, contribute to decision-making, attend meetings and events, lead consultations, and develop skills in leadership, communication, and civic engagement.

Lead Something That Matters — Shape a New Sports‑Led Youth Provision in West Thurrock
If you’re the kind of youth worker who wants to build, create, and genuinely shape a community offer, this is the role you’ve been waiting for. At Riverview, sport isn’t an add‑on — it’s the heartbeat of how we engage young people. As our Senior Youth Worker (Sports), you’ll have the rare chance to help design a brand‑new youth provision from the ground up, bringing your ideas, energy, and passion straight into a community that’s ready for something fresh.

You won’t be boxed in. You’ll lead sessions your way, influence how the programme grows, and work in a close‑knit team where your voice actually matters. With over 100 young people already engaging weekly across our sites, you’ll step into a role where relationships are real, creativity is encouraged, and your leadership directly shapes young people’s confidence, wellbeing, and opportunities.
If you want to make sport the spark that changes lives — this is your space.

Our Mission 

Riverview Charitable Trust supports families, children, and young people in the community to thrive. Through services and initiatives, we empower individuals, strengthen family relationships, and create opportunities for young people to grow, learn, and succeed. 

We are expanding our youth provision into West Thurrock, and we’re looking for an experienced, energetic Senior Youth Worker with a Sports background to help us put sport at the heart of what we do. This is a hands-on role for someone who loves working with young people, thrives in active environments, and can confidently lead day‑to‑day delivery across multiple sites.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Lead delivery on our sports programmes across two vibrant sites, creating sessions that young people genuinely want to show up for.
• Play a key role in Riverview’s expansion into West Thurrock, helping us build something new, exciting, and community‑driven from the ground up.
• Take sport into the streets and into young people’s spaces, using outreach, pop‑ups, and creative engagement to connect with those who need us most.

Please see attached JD for full job description 

Family Support Worker

£24,000 pa + Company Car and benefits (including 25 days annual leave, reward scheme and pension)

This role covers London & South East. You must be able to work across London boroughs

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity is going through an exciting time where we are growing, with the aim of reaching more families in need.

About the role:

We are looking to appoint a Family Support Worker, on a full time basis (35 hours per week), to deliver a high-quality family support service as part of our London & South East Care Team.

Reporting to the Family Support Manager of the London & South East Care Team and working in partnership with health, education and social care professionals, you will take responsibility for providing needs-led emotional, social and practical support to families where a child/young person has a life threatening or terminal illness.

Having worked in a demanding and emotional environment you have a genuine interest in building supportive relationships and helping people; and having provided bereavement support to families, you understand processes of grief, loss and change - and how best to help others deal with its impact.

Location:

This role covers London & South East. You must be able to work across London boroughs

What we’re looking for:

· An experienced child health, education or social care professional - applications will be particularly welcome from those who have worked in a community environment and those with a recognised qualification in education, health or social care

· A warm, inclusive approach to achieving goals quickly and correctly

· Practiced in child protection, information sharing and the rules around data protection - you lead by example, drawing on your own professional experience and working within established guidelines

· Practical and people-oriented - you will thrive working at a fast pace whilst maintaining accuracy and be a confident user of IT (including MSOffice)

· A persuasive and open communicator - you will work collaboratively with your team and volunteers to ensure delivery of a high-quality service and support fundraising colleagues by writing case studies and family updates

· A practical knowledge of diversity issues affecting children, young people and their families – aware that being responsive to others needs and concerns, is essential.

What we offer:

· We have a range of fantastic benefits that we offer our employees, including:

· Flexible working hours to balance home and working life

· Employee Assistance Programme with access to remote GP, counselling, physiotherapy, resources to support your mental health and financial wellbeing, as well as a 24/7 helpline via Help@Hand

· Company car for front line care posts

· 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays – rising to 26 days after 1 year, 27 days after 5 years and 30 days after 11 years, with an additional 5 years to use in your 10th or 20th year of service (pro rata for part time)

· Time off in Lieu

· Access to the Blue Light Card Scheme, and other rewards and discounts

· Bike to work, season ticket loan and payroll giving schemes

· A recommend a friend recruitment bonus scheme

· Family friendly policies, focused on employee wellbeing, and an active cross-organisational wellbeing group running a number of initiatives throughout the year

· Pension scheme where we contribute 5% of your salary and you contribute at least 3%

· The option to buy/sell annual leave, as well as additional leave for your birthday, wedding/civil ceremony and an extra half day off for Christmas shopping

· Robust training and development programmes to support your learning and growth

If you’d like to find out more about these benefits and working with us, please visit our website.

As part of our learning and development Anne Harris Skills Development Programme, we aim to provide a high level of training and development opportunities for all staff, so you are able to perform to the best of your ability, achieve individual and team objectives aligned to Rainbow Trusts strategic plan, supporting staff to be their best and feel a valued member of a high performing organisation.

Our Family Support Teams are given the opportunity to complete a number of diverse training courses in their first 12 months, including but not limited to: Mental Health First Aid, Makaton, counselling skills, introduction to play.

The programme aims to provide a building block for you to individually tailor your own learning and development needs.

About us:

Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity enables families who have a child with a life-threatening or terminal illness to make the most of time together, providing expert, practical and emotional support, where they need it for as long as it is needed. For families living with childhood illness, time is everything. Right now, there are too many families coping alone with no support, no time to think, no time to make memories and no time for each other. We believe that no family should go through this alone, so we are here to change that.

How to apply:

Please visit our website via the link and apply online.

Closing date: 26 February 2026

Interview Date to be confirmed

Please disclose on your application form if you have used AI for any part of your job application.

Interviews will take place at our Essex Care Team office with the dates to be confirmed. We will only contact those applicants who have been successful. If you require any adjustments during the interview process, please let us know.

There will be a requirement for flexible working and a full current driver’s licence to accommodate team and family need. An enhanced DBS disclosure will be required for this post.

Rainbow Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all employees to share this commitment.

Rainbow Trust is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are a Best Companies One-Star rated organisation.

As Youth Worker you will use your experience of working with children and young people to:

• Work alongside the Youth Coordinator to develop and deliver an agreed project plan that meets the requirements of funders and local team priorities, in line with Diabetes UK processes and policies.
• Support young people and volunteers to understand and grow their strengths and skills, empowering them to take action, support others and make change happen.
• Continuously improve our impact and engagement with young people and the diabetes community, identifying opportunities to share learning and good practice across teams.
• Work with colleagues to grow and enhance our engagement with young people, creating opportunities for long term relationships and involvement of young people in the wider work of the charity.

THE CLINK CHARITY

YOUTH SUPPORT WORKER (LONDON & SOUTHEAST)

Salary: £30,000 FTE

Contract: Permanent

Working Pattern: Full Time, 39 hours p/w

Location:  Supporting students from The Clink’s sites across London and the South East

Applications close on Friday 27th March but will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early applications are    advised

 ABOUT THE CLINK CHARITY

The Clink Charity, founded in 2009, aims to prevent and reduce reoffending through training, rehabilitation, and support. We deliver hospitality and horticulture training behind the prison walls and in the community by creating an environment where our students are supported to gain the skills, confidence and qualifications they need to rebuild their lives.

Since that time, we have trained approximately 5,000 people in prison and delivered 2,600 City & Guilds qualifications in a variety of hospitality and food courses.

What makes The Clink so unique is our post-release support and mentoring programme that rehabilitates an offender back into society through assistance with health and mental health issues, housing, employment, family connections and friendships.

The charity operates an award-winning fine-dining restaurant open to the public inside HMP Brixton, training kitchens in the prison estate, horticulture projects at HMP Send and HMP Erlestoke, a commercial bakery in Brixton, and a bespoke delivery service, Catered by Clink.

Additionally, Clink Events is our social enterprise catering business with food produced by the women in HMP Downview and also in an additional kitchen at Herne Hill and then served by alumni on front of house at some of the best venues in London including: the Guildhall, the Science Museum, Cutty Sark, Kew Gardens and the Camden Roundhouse. In 2024, across 218 events, The Clink fed 36,000 people.

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Clink Training Café, located in Herne Hill, is a real-life professional kitchen and café that provides young people with meaningful work experience over a 12-week programme. During this time, participants work towards five accredited City & Guilds qualifications while gaining hands-on hospitality and employability skills.

We work closely with the Youth Justice Service, as well as Children in Care and Care Leavers teams, to engage vulnerable and at-risk young people in the programme. Many of the young people we support are at risk of criminal exploitation and grooming, and we also work with neurodivergent young people who have additional learning needs.

At our café in Herne Hill, we have supported 100% of our students who have participated in the program to graduate into further education or employment.

The Youth Support Worker will provide a high quality and responsive support, mentoring and advocacy service which creatively addresses the needs and risks of our students and graduates, enabling them to avoid the risk of criminal exploitation upon completion of the program and to progress into the next step of their education or employment pathway.

You will be joining The Clink Charity at an exciting time as we plan to scale the success of our Café project by taking on a second site in Guildford to work with vulnerable NEET young people across Surrey. This role will offer the successful candidate the opportunity to mobilise this project and to take a leading role in building referrals, establishing networks and establishing this new intervention.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

As a Youth Support Worker, you are responsible for:

Individualised Support

• Act as a strong advocate for all students, representing their needs and interests.

• Complete a personalised support plan for each student to understand their individual needs, challenges, and personal circumstances.

• Work closely with young people to identify risks, recognise warning signs, and develop strategies to reduce the likelihood of involvement in criminal exploitation, grooming, or other harmful behaviours.

• Support student engagement throughout the programme, addressing conflicts or challenges as they arise to maintain a positive learning environment.

• Establish appropriate boundaries and respond effectively to student behaviour to ensure a safe and inclusive environment.

• Support students in developing resilience, confidence, and independent decision-making skills.

Monitoring and Impact

• Conduct weekly 1:1 session with each student, focusing on personal growth, emotional wellbeing, and life skills such as budgeting, accurately logging all sessions in both internal and external CRM systems.

• Ensure all contact logs and essential paperwork are accurately updated and completed weekly.

• Contribute ideas to improve programme delivery and student engagement through innovative activities or support strategies.

• Use data insights to report progress to referral partners and funders.

Partnerships and Networks

• Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with all external partners and networks.

• Engage with external partners to build the relationships needed to receive referrals for our target audience and meet with each student prior to starting the programme to ensure a smooth induction.

• Liaise with relevant networks and attend meetings with funders or partner organisations that support the students' development.

• Seek out new partnership opportunities to enable The Clink's youth programs to grow and develop.

Employer and Further Education Connections

• Establish relationships with a variety of employers and further education providers to support work placements and future career opportunities.

• Assist students in creating structured CVs and preparing for interviews, including attending interviews if required.

Safeguarding

• To prioritise child protection and safeguarding of beneficiaries.

• Report and log all safeguarding concerns to the Designated Safeguarding Lead promptly, following charity policies.

General

• Travel between different sites when necessary, including locations such as our second site in Guildford, Surrey. Able to accompany our young people on trips, visits, or work placements, always maintaining safety and professional standards.

• Attend all training sessions and supervision meetings provided by senior management.

• Work collaboratively with staff across The Clink to achieve the best outcomes for young people and maintain healthy, professional working relationships.

• Support the planning and delivery of special events, career fairs, or community engagement projects.

DESIRABLE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE

• Holds an enhanced DBS check suitable for working with both children and adults, ensuring full compliance with safeguarding and legal requirements.

• Experience of working with young people aged 16-25, with an understanding of their developmental stages, personal challenges, and individual needs.

• Possesses a relevant youth work qualification or equivalent, demonstrating a commitment to professional standards and best practice in supporting young people.

• Experience of working in prisons, youth offender institutions, or the criminal justice

system, including having lived experience, and the ability to use this knowledge to positively guide young people.

• Experience of supporting young people involved in gangs, at risk of exploitation, or affected by county lines, with the ability to identify risks and implement interventions to reduce harm.

• Experience of networking and building strong professional relationships with employers, apprenticeship services, and external partners to support education, training, and work placement opportunities.

• Experience of referring young people to specialist services and working collaboratively within a multi-agency framework to provide holistic support and guidance.

• Knowledge and understanding of safeguarding issues and the PREVENT Duty, with the ability to assess risks, consult with line managers, and log appropriately in line with organisational protocols.

• Ability to maintain a safe, structured environment with clear boundaries while responding appropriately to behaviours and supporting young people to make positive choices.

• Ability to identify risk factors for criminal exploitation or grooming, help young people recognise warning signs, and implement strategies to reduce their vulnerability.

• Strong numeracy skills, sufficient to assist young people with budgeting, calculating benefit entitlements, understanding rent arrears, and managing finances.

• IT literate, able to maintain accurate records, logs, and assessments on internal and external systems while ensuring data is up to date and securely stored.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

• Able to build trust, motivate, and advise a diverse group of young people while maintaining professional relationships.

• Able to adopt a supportive, confident, and motivating approach, inspiring young people, building their self-esteem, and promoting positive personal development.

• Demonstrate empathy, patience, and understanding of the diverse challenges young people may face, including personal, social, and emotional issues.

• Demonstrate resilience and adaptability, able to respond to changing circumstances and manage stress effectively while maintaining a positive approach.

• Highly organised and proactive, able to manage multiple tasks and competing priorities efficiently without compromising the quality of support.

• Committed to teamwork and collaboration, working effectively with colleagues, external partners, and multi-agency teams to achieve the best outcomes for young people.

• Willingness to engage in continuous training, professional development, and reflective practice to enhance knowledge, skills, and performance.

REPORTING LINES MANAGEMENT EXPECTATIONS

You will report directly to the Support Lead for London and the SE, the Executive Leadership Team, but also work closely with any external networks such as the local authority and related Clink project leads in the community. 

GENERAL CLINK CHARITY INFORMATION

All staff are expected to:

• Comply with all current legislation

• Comply with all prison operational policies

• Comply with The Clink Staff Handbook

• Undertake such other duties within the scope of the post as may be requested by your manager

Special Requirements:

• Must have an enhanced DBS for children & adults

• A driving licence is preferred because of travel between sites — but not essential.

Company Benefits:

• 28 days holiday plus bank holidays

• Company pension scheme

• Free meals on duty when based in a restaurant or at Herne Hill site.

HOW TO APPLY

If you would like to apply for this post, please send your CV and a supporting statement (maximum 2 sides of A4).

In your supporting statement you should ensure that you try to address the desirable criteria set out in the person specification for the role. Make sure you give evidence which shows how you meet the criteria, not just telling us that you did it.

Interviews will be arranged on a rolling basis for this role, so early applications are encouraged. The deadline for applications is Friday 27th March.

We do not send individual acknowledgment of applications due to the high volume we receive, and we will only contact candidates who are shortlisted for an interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, your application has not been successful on this occasion.

If you would like an informal chat about this role, we can offer a call with a member of The Clink Team. Even if you feel you do not meet some of the criteria listed above, we would still welcome applications from passionate candidates who are keen to make a difference.

Appointment process

Applicants who have demonstrated that they meet the desirable criteria set out in the person specification will be contacted and interviews arranged on a rolling basis.

Interview

If you are shortlisted for interview, you will be invited to a selection process. A panel of two or more, including the recruiting manager conducts all interviews. If there are any special arrangements associated with the selection process e.g. tests or presentations, you will be informed accordingly.

Interview outcome

If you are invited to attend an interview, you will be informed either verbally or in writing of the outcome. The successful candidate will have the decision confirmed in writing as an offer of employment. Unsuccessful candidates will be offered the opportunity for feedback.

References

If you are successful in your application, you are asked to provide us with the details of two referees. We only contact referees with your permission after an offer of employment has been made.

All offers of employment are conditional upon the receipt of references that are satisfactory to The Clink Charity, verification of right to work in the UK and where applicable, verification of qualifications and Disclosure and Barring Service (where required). 

Personal information

The personal information that you have supplied will only be used for recruitment and selection purposes. You should refer to the Privacy Notice on our website, which sets out how The Clink Charity will deal with the personal and sensitive data you have provided in your application form and supporting information.

EDI

We welcome all applicants and are keen to enhance our team to reflect the diversity of the UK and the communities we serve. We would like to encourage applications from disabled people, those from LGBTQIA+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and those experiencing other forms of marginalisation, as they are underrepresented at this level. In addition, as this role works directly with people in prison and those at risk of offending, those with lived experience are encouraged to apply. 

Accessible recruitment

The Clink Charity is committed to making our recruitment process and workplace accessible to all. If you are an applicant with a disability and/or have any specific needs or adjustments that you would like us to consider, at application, interview, or appointment stage, please make us aware in your application.

Catch22 exists to help build a society where everyone has a good place to live, good people around them, and a fulfilling purpose. We call these our '3Ps'.

We achieve this in two ways. First, we improve lives on the frontline through delivery of public services. Secondly, we use our knowledge to change 'the system', to fix the complex web that can trap and disempower those it was set up to help. With the heart of a charity and the mindset of a business, we are uniquely placed to deliver on this challenging agenda.

Our Young People & Families (YP&F) Operational Hub delivers a wide range of integrated support services designed to help resolve complex difficulties experienced by young people and their families/carers.

Support is provided to people who find themselves in a range of circumstances; they may be missing from home or have emotional, housing or substance misuse issues. We also support families where parents/carers are experiencing domestic abuse, substance misuse, emotional issues, homelessness or unemployment. Whatever the situation, we work alongside young people and their carers to find a way of stabilising their lives.

Redthread is a hospital based youth work service, working alongside NHS staff and other professionals in emergency departments.

Our experienced, specialist youth workers engage with and support young people, aiming to support them with their needs in hospital and post-discharge. We often meet young people at a moment of change and work with them to find a positive way forward.

We provide long-term, holistic support. We consider every aspect of a young person’s life and build support around them.

About the Mental Health Youth Work Service Pilot

The prevalence of reported mental health challenges in children and young people living in England have been increasing.  In addition, research tells us that children and young people facing such challenges with their mental health are more likely to self-harm. For some children and young people, A&E Departments may be a first point of contact with healthcare services following self-harm. While in recent years the number of attendances by children and young people for mental health needs and/or self-harm have stabilised, there was a sharp increase in attendances following the pandemic. For children and young people who have gone to A&E for support with their mental health, such as following self-harm, waiting a long time in A&E can be hard. A&E Departments are often very busy and loud places and there is not always access to secluded space for those who have gone to A&E when experiencing difficulties with their mental health.

Children and young people who are also neurodiverse may find the environment particularly challenging and overstimulating while they are waiting to access care and support. This pilot aims to strengthen the offer of support to young people aged 11-18 in A&E, and also consider the wider social and emotional wellbeing needs of those individuals whilst in that environment and following discharge by ensuring there is follow up support for a variety of services.

The Mental Health Youth Work Service model has been informed by young people with experience of hospital attendances after self-harming, and their feedback has been used to shape the care we aim to deliver.

The service runs across two hospital sites in London: King’s College Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital. There will be a team consisting of one Senior Youth Worker and a Youth Worker embedded in each site.

Job Description

Where you fit in

This is an exciting new service working in partnership with King’s College Hospital Accident and Emergency Department. The project is a pilot that aims to provide specialist Youth Work support for young people presenting to a hospital because of their mental health, and specifically where they attend because of self-harm.

The Senior Youth Worker will lead on the Mental Health Youth Work service embedded within the A&E department. This will involve line management responsibilities for the Mental Health Youth Worker, partnership working to build relationships both internally within the hospital and externally in the local community, and with both statutory and non-statutory partners.

The Senior Youth worker will be expected to support and build trusting relationships with young people who present with acute needs and are often in a crisis. They will manage a caseload of their own, with contact taking place both in the hospital and post-discharge in the community.

The Senior Youth Worker will ensure the integration of the service at their respective hospital A&E department, and work alongside the Team Leader in reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements

Main Duties & Accountabilities

• Lead the delivery of the Mental Health Youth Work service for young people aged 11-18 who attend the A&E department. Ensure that all young people are assessed holistically and care plans are tailored, trauma-informed and empowering, with the aim of reducing further harm.

• Line manage the Mental Health Youth Worker, providing guidance and direction through regular contact and meetings, case allocation, caseload oversight and one-to-one supervision, both formally and informally.

• In collaboration with the other Senior Youth Worker, provide overall support to the team to develop and improve skills, including assessment and recording, to ensure that Redthread’s model of intervention is delivered consistently.

• Promote high levels of wellbeing for staff members who are working with young people who have experienced acute and chronic mental health challenges

• Hold a caseload and work with young people with often complex needs, in a range of settings, including in A&E, in the community, face-to-face and virtually where required, and promote their personal, educational, health and social development through all interactions

• Assist with the on-going development of the service model to ensure that young people and other stakeholders gain the maximum benefit from Redthread’s interventions

• Along with the team, tailor and design youth work resources that are specific to the young people we are working with

• Contribute to the training programme that Redthread provides for hospital staff, including informal microteaching and more formal presentations.

• With support from the Team Leader, maintain strong working relationships within the Hospital, and NHS staff ensuring that Redthread youth workers are fully embedded in the health setting and are working with clinical staff to deliver a service that meets the needs of young people, including promoting the service within the hospital and attending appropriate internal meetings

• Assist in building and maintaining strong working relationships with Redthread stakeholders, project partners and with other agencies working with young people and to represent Redthread at external meetings as required.

• Ensure that as a team, you are proactive in researching and networking with other organisations working with young people in the area served by the hospital to ensure that the Youth Workers have a good knowledge of other services and projects that may be of interest to the young people we work with or appropriate for us to refer to.

• Attend multi-disciplinary team meetings in hospital, working with ED staff and CAMHS teams to support and safeguard young people

• Maintain a good level of professional knowledge of the issues affecting young people, particularly related to their mental health needs and self harm.

• In all areas of the work, apply an in-depth understanding of safeguarding responsibilities when working with children and young people, and provide guidance to your team members that adheres to Redthread’s Safeguarding policy and procedures and safeguarding policies of respective NHS Trusts.

• Ensure information resources such as client forms, databases and contact files are kept fully up-to-date and secure, in line with GDPR, the Data Protection Act and our Confidentiality Policy and Consent Policy. Maintain high-quality recording of interventions with young people on our database, Salesforce, in line with Redthread’s best-practice requirements. (Training will be provided.)

• Collect and record evidence of project outcomes and young people’s achievements, to ensure the completion of monitoring forms and project progress reports as required.

• Work as part of a team to continue to develop the programme’s monitoring and evaluation in order to facilitate internal reflection and learning, and to demonstrate its effectiveness and impact to external stakeholders.

 • To ensure that the Youth Worker accurately captures and records data on the CRM system. To ensure that it can be used to identify trends and provide insights. To use these insights and trends to shape service delivery and share information with partners.

• With support from the Team Leader and oversight from the Service Manager, produce monthly and quarterly reports as required by funders and to inform leaders of the operational performance of the organisation.

QUALIFICATIONS

Essential:

Relevant level 3 or 4 qualification in health & wellbeing, youth provision or similar or demonstrable equivalent experience

Desirable:

A degree-level qualification in social work, youth work, social science, education or another relevant field
Qualifications in counselling and/or mental health first aid for young people

KNOWLEDGE

Essential

• A thorough knowledge and understanding of the physical, social and emotional developmental needs of young people • Understanding of the issues faced by young people living in inner city areas • An awareness of child protection and safeguarding issues and knowledge of current best practice within the youth work sector • Knowledge of Mental Health systems and processes and the function of statutory services such as CAMHS • Knowledge of the specific needs of young people who self harm • A knowledge of best practice in case recording

Desirable

• Knowledge of capacity and consent issues including Gillick competence • Knowledge of solution-focused brief therapy tools or a similar counselling methodology. • Knowledge of psycho-education tools appropriate to share with children and young people who also may be neurodivergent • Knowledge of health inequalities and how these can affect different groups/individuals

EXPERIENCE

Essential

Significant professional experience of working with vulnerable young people in a range of activities and settings • Experience working with young people in a health and well-being context, especially with young people experiencing mental health challenges • Experience of working within a multidisciplinary team • Experience of leading and managing a project to enable growth and continuity • Experience in developing and maintaining excellent relationships with partner organisations • Experience in planning and delivering training

Desirable

• Experience of working in a London borough • Experience in leading, managing, supporting, and motivating a team in their work • Experiencing of developing a project’s processes, procedures, and policies • Experience of monitoring and evaluation systems to measure programme impact

SKILLS & ABILITIES

Essential

• Resilient and reflective • Well-developed verbal and written communication skills and an ability to interact young people on a one-to-one basis within a range of contexts • Ability to plan and manage own workload • Accurate data entry and record keeping and monitoring processes Ability to use up-to[1]date IT systems • Able to analyse and evaluate information and provide effective management oversight of high-risk complex cases. • Able to oversee cases using an electronic database

Desirable

• Leadership and management skills to enable the team to have a clear sense of direction, feel motivated and have a clear understanding of how their own roles contribute to and enhance the work of the organisation • Able to provide supervision, guidance, and support to youth work teams, particularly around task allocation, setting priorities and personal development
 

OTHER

Share Catch22 values
Awareness of and commitment to Equality & Diversity
Willing to travel and work flexibly
Desire to develop and undertake training as required
● Enthusiasm for Redthread’s work
● Approachable, self-motivated and committed to continuous personal development
● A commitment to and understanding of equal opportunities as they apply to all aspects of Redthread’s work

Additional information

Those interested in applying for this opportunity should review the Job Description & Person Specification to find out more.

When applying please be cautious over the answers you provide. If you select “NO” to the screening question regarding Right to Work in the UK, your application will automatically be closed. 

Contract: Permanent

Hours & work pattern: 37 hours per week, with regular evening and weekend shifts required. Evening shifts cover the hours of 1pm to 9:00 pm 

Salary: £32,917.50 per annum

Location: King’s College Hospital, Denmark Hill, London. With regular travel to other Redthread sites and offices when required.

Screening: Successful admission to post subject to enhanced DBS check and employer Right To Work in the UK check. The post-holder must have right to work in the UK. Catch22 does not currently provide a licence to sponsor visas but please see this register to see those that do.

To Apply: Please provide your CV and cover letter, along with the completion of the screening questions to express your interest in this opportunity. Please note, in the interest of safer recruitment and ensuring that applicants are a right fit for the role, submitted applications must contain a CV, satisfactory responses to the screening questions, and information detailing interest in the role, to be considered for this position.

Closing date: Thursday 19th February at 5pm

Interviews will be held in week commencing 2nd March

AI generated applications are not acceptable and could lead to a disqualification of your current and future applications across Catch22 jobs. In order to ensure that applications are fair, genuine, and representative of the candidate applying, our teams may use a number of tools to identify occurrences where candidates have not given an honest response during the application process. 

Catch22’s Commitment to Ban the Box

Catch22 is proud to have “Banned the Box”. This means that we do not ask for candidates to disclose criminal convictions at the application stage. Instead, we invite disclosures at interview stage, and encourage them at the offer stage. 

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See the benefits of working for Catch22 here.

See the benefits of working for Catch22 here.

Unless otherwise stated, interviews will be arranged as suitable candidates are identified, so early application is strongly advised.

At Catch22 we value equality, diversity and inclusion. We are wholeheartedly committed to the principle of equality of opportunity, both as an employer and as a provider of services. Diversity and Inclusion is part of what we do every day, working to deliver our vision to build a strong society where everyone has good people around them, a purpose, and a good place to live.

Catch22 is committed to rigorous safeguarding and safer recruitment practices; ensuring that every individual within the organisation has been safely and appropriately checked.

Please note, we will conduct an online search as part of our due dilligence checks for successful candidate(s). This will involve a search of all publicly available information online and in social media.