6 Programmes graduate trainee jobs

About Spear Leeds

Spear is working in partnership with Bridge Community Church to deliver the Spear Programme in Leeds!

At Bridge Community Church, their heart is to work in partnerships wherever and whenever they can. They partner with organisations including Spear, to see their goals and vision achieved. The Spear Programme is delivered in Spear Leeds which offers young people professionally recognised coaching, for free, to support them into sustainable work or education. They leave Spear equipped to thrive in work and life. 

Key Information:

• Salary: from £26,000
• Full-time - Monday to Friday
• 25 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing date:14th September (we interview on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack attached below. 

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values and ethos of Spear and Bridge Community Church.
• You have demonstrable experience as a coach, or a background in youth work or teaching, and are keen to develop these skills further.
• You have a heart for young people and releasing their potential, no matter what challenging circumstances they are facing.
• Effective interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence with a sense of humour and fun.
• You are great at building relationships, with solid communication skills.
• Good administrative and organisational skills, working well under pressure with the ability to prioritise workload.

We’re currently recruiting 4 full-time Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioners (EMHP) to work directly with young people in our Croydon Mental Health Support Team (MHST). For this post you need to have an Undergraduate degree, second class or above, in a mental health of child development related subject (e.g., Psychology, Education, Childhood development, Social Work etc), OR any subject with further training or experience in a relevant field (e.g., Teaching/TA; Learning Support; HCA; Youth Work; etc). We are also looking for people with an open and flexible attitude; excellent engagement skills and a passion for working with children and young people around mental health. 

Responsibilities include offering CBT based, self-guided mental health interventions to primary and secondary aged children and young people and their families. This involves individual and group-based support directly with young people, parent-led support, and supporting schools to implement a whole school approach to emotional wellbeing. The posts have scope and opportunity for developing new initiatives and ways of working to support young people’s mental health across South London. 

All posts are based on-site (office/school) and may require flexibility to work across different service areas and interventions. Some evening and/or weekend work may be necessary to meet the needs of young people. 

This is a training position where the post holder will undertake training at Kings College London alongside working in service for Off The Record. Applicants will need to be ready to start work in early January 2027 and posts cannot be offered to candidates unless they can guarantee this start date. 

Shortlisted candidates will also need to submit an application form to KCL for a place on the Postgraduate Diploma in Child Wellbeing Practice (CWP). Please see links below. 

The full Job Description and Person Specification are attached. 

Applying for the Posts 

To be considered for the position, the Application Form need to be completed and return via email to email address on the application by the end of Sunday 20th September 2026.

We understand some candidates may want to use AI tools when applying. Whilst we welcome the use of technology to support clear communication and structure, we also want to learn more about the authentic you, so please ensure that your application reflects your own skills, knowledge and experiences wherever possible. In the spirit of transparency - we also ask that you indicate if you have used AI in your application.

Decisions about who to invite for interview will be based on how well someone demonstrates that they meet the person specification for the specific post, so please make sure you complete the application form fully and accurately, giving evidence of how you meet each point in the person specification and indicating your relevant knowledge, skills and experience. Please note that CVs will not be considered. 

Email applicants will receive a confirmation of receipt and shortlisted candidates will be contacted as soon as possible after the closing date. 

Please note: In accordance with our Safer Recruitment Policy, we are unable to accept CV's and ask that you complete the application form instead This can be found to download further down this page.

Application deadline: Wednesday 30th September 2026 (5:00 pm)

Proposed Interview Date(s): Tuesday 27th and Thursday 28th of October 2026

**Please make sure you can be available on the proposed interview date as it is very difficult to offer an alternative**

About The Role

Are you an experienced Youth Worker? Are you passionate about improving wellbeing outcomes for young people? Are you looking to develop your practice and training around young people’s mental health?

We are currently seeking five Trainee Wellbeing Practitioner’s to join our Youth Services team based in Bristol and South Gloucestershire. You will work within Creative Youth Network as part of the Youth Services team, delivering, high-quality, evidence-based interventions for children and young people experiencing, mild to moderate anxiety, low mood and behavioural difficulties.

This is a 1 year training role within the Children and Young People’ Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (CYP IAPT). You will attend Exeter University for all university based taught and self-study days required by the education provider, and work in the service for the remaining days of the week using your newly developed skills. Your travel and accommodation to Exeter University will be provided for you as part of the trainee programme.

You will then be based at The Station (BS1) or Kingswood Estate (BS15) sites with up to two evening open access sessions per week. The training and service experience will equip you with the necessary knowledge, attitude and capabilities to operate effectively within the wider service.

Please note - One of the five Trainee Wellbeing Practitioner roles is LGBTQ+ focused and is in partnership with Diversity Trust. For that role we recognise the value of lived experience and encourage applications from members of LGBTQ+ communities.
Please apply via the other listed vacancy (Trainee Wellbeing Practitioner LGBTQ+) for that specific role.

About Us

Creative Youth Network is an award-winning charity with a mission to enable young people to reach their potential, no matter what their background or circumstances. Operating across Bristol and South Gloucestershire, we offer a range of services ranging from our 9 local youth clubs, to targeted support for young people with specific needs, work within schools (in particular for young people at risk of disengaging from education), and an exciting range of creative courses, programmes and activities, including early career support for young people embarking on careers in the creative sector. Our services are rated “Outstanding” by the National Youth Agency.

This role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

To Apply

A full Job Description and Application form are available to download below and via our website where you can also apply. 

The Benefits

• 33 days annual leave (inc. bank holidays) per year pro rata
• Excellent family friendly policies
• A generous pension scheme
• A cycle to work scheme
• Paid breaks
• Fantastic development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Program
• Virtual GP consultation and medical advice service

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Creative Youth Network is committed to inclusivity, equality, and equity. We pride ourselves on giving opportunities to people of all walks of life and all class backgrounds. This includes people who identify as D/deaf, disabled or neurodivergent, LGBTQIA+, are early in their careers or come from groups who experience racial inequality.

We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented, including people from Global Majority backgrounds (often referred to as BAME – Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic).

As an employer we are committed to promoting and protecting the physical and mental health and wellbeing of all our staff.

Adjustments

We want to ensure our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. If you require any reasonable adjustments or support to attend an interview — for example, wheelchair access, extra time for assessments etc. - please let us know.

About Spear Hammersmith and Fulham

Spear is working in partnership with St Paul’s Hammersmith to deliver the Spear Programme in Hammersmith and Fulham!

At St Paul’s Hammersmith, their vision is to see the church alive, encountering God and awakening cities. Following the call of Jesus to love their neighbour, they want to serve the needs of their local community, creating connection and developing places of safety, strength, and belonging.

The Spear Programme is delivered in Spear Hammersmith and Fulham which offers young people professionally recognised coaching, for free, to support them into sustainable work or education. They leave Spear equipped to thrive in work and life. 

Key Information:

• Salary: from £29,000
• Full-time, Maternity Cover - Monday to Friday
• 25 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays
• Closing date: Monday 14th September (we interview on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right candidate)

For more information please read through our Job Specification and Work with us pack.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• An active Christian, dedicated to representing the values and ethos of Spear and St Paul's Hammersmith
• You have demonstrable experience as a coach, or a background in youth work or teaching, and are keen to develop these skills further.
• You have a heart for young people and releasing their potential, no matter what challenging circumstances they are facing.
• Effective interpersonal skills and high emotional intelligence with a sense of humour and fun.
• You are great at building relationships, with solid communication skills.
• Good administrative and organisational skills, working well under pressure with the ability to prioritise workload.

About Spear

Spear is a national youth employment charity. The award-winning Spear Programme was launched over 20 years ago, and is now running in 18 Spear Centres across the country, equipping unemployed 16–24-year-olds facing barriers to employment with the skills and mindset they need to secure work and thrive in work and life. 

Please see the 'Work with us’ pack for more information. 

About the role

We're looking for an ambitious, proactive and relationship-driven individual who excels at securing strategic, long-term corporate partnerships that drive the growth and impact of Spear. Joining our dynamic and growing Corporate Partnerships team, you will play a key role in developing and stewarding high-value partnerships that generate significant income and enable Spear to reach more young people facing barriers to employment.

This role is ideal for someone with strong business development and relationship management skills, who enjoys working both strategically and hands-on to generate income, develop compelling partnership opportunities and build lasting relationships with corporate supporters.

Key Information

• Salary: from £38,000, with considerable flex depending on experience
• Full-Time permanent role (4 days per week considered)
• Annual leave: 28 days annual leave (including Christmas gift days) plus bank holidays, increasing with long service. Please see our 'Work with us' pack for details of our other great benefits.
• Closing Date: 9aqm on Monday 14th September, though we interview on a rolling basis and may close the role early if we find the right candidate

For more information please read through our Job Specification.

If you require any reasonable adjustments as part of the recruitment process, please let us know.

Person Specification

• A practising Christian, passionate about Spear's values and mission, with a desire to engage and inspire corporate partners to support young people facing barriers to employment into sustainable work.
• Significant senior-level experience in corporate fundraising, corporate social responsibility, business development or strategic partnerships.
• Proven ability to raise funds, develop business partnerships or drive sales. Excellent client management using CRM tools such as Salesforce are desirable.
• An excellent communicator with strong relational skills and the confidence and ability to develop a rapport with and positively influence a variety of people from diverse backgrounds in the corporate space.
• Excellent writing skills, attention to detail and accuracy, including the ability to produce compelling proposals for a professional, corporate audience.
• Demonstration of leadership capabilities; proactive, responsive and a self-starter. Ability to manage multiple priorities to meet targets and deadlines.
• Strong numerical, reporting and organizational skills, including the ability to establish appropriate and effective processes and structures.
• Line Management experience desirable but not essential.

Faith Expressions

Spear is a Christian charity, working in a range of settings, in partnership with people from all faiths and none. Although the Spear programme itself has no faith element, Our Christian faith underpins everything we do; it motivates and sustains us and is core to our mission. Prayer and worship are embedded into our daily working practises, and all staff are required to lead a team prayer meeting from time to time. As such, there is a Genuine Occupational Requirement for our team to be practising Christians – our team share a belief in a triune God and we welcome applications from people of all denominations and expressions of Christianity.