Volunteer youth support worker jobs

Outreach Support Worker

Location: Hatfield / Hybrid Working (minimum 3 days office-based, including core days Tuesday and Wednesday)
Salary: £28093 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 14th August 2026
Recruitment Day:  10.00 am to 2.00 pm 18th August 2026

Help young people build stable futures

Herts Young Homeless (hyh) is looking for a compassionate and motivated Outreach Support Worker to join our new Outreach Service and help young people aged 18 to 24 access the support they need to prevent homelessness and sustain safe, secure accommodation.

This is an exciting opportunity to work directly with young people who may be experiencing housing difficulties, be at risk of homelessness, or need support to maintain their tenancy. You will provide practical advice, guidance, and person-centred support while working collaboratively with partners across Hertfordshire to help young people achieve positive outcomes.

As part of a committed and supportive team, you will play a key role in helping young people develop the confidence, skills, and resilience needed to live independently and thrive.

About the role

As an Outreach Support Worker, you will:

• Provide housing advice and support to young people aged 18 to 24 who are at risk of homelessness.
• Carry out housing and support assessments, identifying needs and arranging appropriate support.
• Help young people sustain their accommodation through practical support with budgeting, managing finances, welfare benefits, rent arrears, and independent living skills.
• Build positive and professional relationships with external agencies and community partners.
• Maintain regular contact with young people and support them to access services that meet their individual needs.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues across hyh to ensure young people receive the right support at the right time.
• Promote safeguarding and wellbeing, ensuring all young people receive safe and effective support.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of supporting young people or vulnerable individuals.
• Understands the challenges that can contribute to homelessness and housing instability.
• Is able to build trusting relationships and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
• Can manage a varied workload and prioritise effectively.
• Is confident working independently as well as collaboratively within a team.
• Has good IT, administrative, and record-keeping skills.
• Demonstrates a non-judgemental, empathetic, and person-centred approach.
• Is committed to equality, diversity, inclusion, and empowering young people to achieve their goals.

A full driving licence and access to a vehicle for business use is required for this role.
 

Why join hyh?

At hyh, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities, identities, and experiences.

We value our people and want you to feel supported and appreciated. We offer:

• A collaborative, knowledgeable and supportive team environment
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to 28 with service)
• An extra day off to celebrate your birthday ��
• Holiday purchase scheme and hybrid working opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
• Pension scheme and Group Life Insurance
• BHSF Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Company sick pay (subject to eligibility)
• Ongoing training and development, including secondments
• Long service awards, refer-a-friend scheme and monthly staff rewards

Diversity and Inclusion

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and communities.

We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented within the charity sector, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with relevant lived experience.

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience for everyone.

Safeguarding

hyh is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This role requires an Enhanced DBS check and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
 

Apply now

If you are passionate about helping young people overcome barriers, prevent homelessness, and build brighter futures, we would love to hear from you.

For more information and details on how to apply, please visit our website and apply via the link provided.

Senior Outreach Worker

Location: Hatfield / Hybrid Working (minimum 3 days office-based, including core days Tuesday and Wednesday)
Salary: £33,095 per annum
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 14th August 2026
Recruitment Day:  10.00 am to 2.00 pm 18th August 2026
 

Make a difference to young people's lives

Herts Young Homeless (hyh) is looking for a passionate and experienced Senior Outreach Worker to help establish and develop an exciting new outreach service.  

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone who is motivated by making a real impact and wants to work directly with young people who are at risk of homelessness. As a Senior Outreach Worker, you will play a key role in delivering support, building relationships, and helping young people access the services and opportunities they need to achieve positive outcomes.

Working as part of our Frontline Services team, you will help shape a new service from the ground up while ensuring young people receive high-quality, person-centred support.
 

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of supporting young people, vulnerable individuals, or those facing housing-related challenges.
• Can build trusting and professional relationships with a wide range of people.
• Is confident working independently and managing a varied caseload.
• Has excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Takes a strengths-based and person-centred approach to support.
• Is committed to inclusion, equality, and empowering young people to achieve their goals.

Most importantly, we are looking for someone who shares our values and believes that every young person deserves a safe place to live and the opportunity to thrive.

Why join hyh?
At hyh, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and able to be themselves. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, communities, identities, and experiences.

We value our people and want you to feel supported and appreciated. We offer:

• A collaborative, knowledgeable and supportive team environment
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (rising to 28 with service)
• An extra day off to celebrate your birthday ��
• Holiday purchase scheme and hybrid working opportunities
• Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
• Pension scheme and Group Life Insurance
• BHSF Health Cash Plan and Employee Assistance Programme
• Blue Light Card discounts
• Company sick pay (subject to eligibility)
• Ongoing training and development, including secondments
• Long service awards, refer-a-friend scheme and monthly staff rewards

Diversity and Inclusion
We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences, and communities.
We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are currently underrepresented within the charity sector, including people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those with relevant lived experience.
 

If you require any adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. We are committed to creating an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience for everyone.

Safeguarding
hyh is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. This role requires an Enhanced DBS check and is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
 

Apply now

Join us in helping young people build brighter futures and prevent homelessness before it happens.  Visit our website and click the apply here link.
Please upload a covering letter and CV outlining your relevant skills and experience as well as why you want to apply for the role.  
 

About Katherine Low Settlement   

Katherine Low Settlement is a busy, local charity that has been serving Battersea and the wider Wandsworth community since 1924. We are dedicated to building stronger communities and enable people to challenge and find ways out of poverty and isolation.   

We run a range of our own community services to support local older people and children, young people, and their families from refugee communities. We campaign for social change. We incubate and support other charities and social businesses to thrive. Each week we work with 30+ charities and community groups supporting more than 1,000 people. 

About the Role

The Lead Youth Worker plays a key role in shaping, coordinating and delivering high-quality youth provision within the Future Foundations programme at KLS. Reporting to the Head of Future Foundations, this role combines hands-on youth work with leadership, coordination and safeguarding responsibility, ensuring that children and young people are supported through safe, inclusive and engaging activities that promote their personal, social and educational development.

You will lead on the planning, delivery and evaluation of homework clubs, youth activities, trips and holiday programmes, while line-managing and supporting two Youth Workers and supervising interns and volunteers. You will work closely with families, schools, community partners and colleagues across KLS to provide joined-up, responsive support for young people. This is a people-centred leadership role requiring strong safeguarding practice, excellent organisational skills, and the ability to build trusting relationships. You will champion youth voice, promote positive behaviour and inclusion, and contribute to continuous improvement through reflection, data and learning.

Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing 3 August 2026.

Key Responsibilities 

Youth Club & Holiday Programme 

• Lead the planning, delivery and evaluation of the youth club for newly arrived young people, within Future Foundations, ensuring sessions are safe, inclusive, engaging and developmentally appropriate. 

• Develop session plans and programmes that support young people’s learning, wellbeing and confidence, using participatory and youth-led approaches. 

• Lead the delivery of the weekly youth club, including wellbeing activities, workshops and targeted interventions for newly arrived young people. 

• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of school holiday provision, including half-term, Easter and summer programmes, ensuring appropriate staffing, safeguarding and risk management arrangements are in place. 

• Work closely with the youth caseworker to encourage engagement and participation of young people at Southfields Academy International Department with the youth club. 

Safeguarding, Behaviour & Inclusion 

• Ensure all practice aligns with safeguarding policies and supports young people’s personal, social and educational development. 

• Maintain accurate safeguarding records, risk assessments and incident reports. 

• Lead on behaviour management and restorative approaches, supporting staff, volunteers and young people to resolve issues constructively

• Deliver safeguarding briefings and provide ongoing guidance and support to volunteers and interns. 

• Promote a culture of safety, inclusion, respect and positive behaviour across all activities. 

People Management & Support 

• Line-manage and support two youth workers through regular supervision, mentoring, appraisal and performance management. 

• Support with supervising interns, including managing timetables, providing guidance and coordinating with KLS colleagues. 

• Work with the Head of Volunteering and youth team to recruit, support, train and develop volunteers and interns, ensuring they understand their responsibilities and contribute safely and confidently to activities 

• Coordinate workloads across the youth team, ensuring staff, volunteers and interns are appropriately supported, work safely and maintain consistent standards of practice.

Youth, Family & Community Engagement 

• Build strong, trusting relationships with young people and their families, ensuring clear communication and inclusive engagement. 

• Liaise with families/carers to share information about activities, expectations and support needs. 

• Build and maintain effective relationships with local youth organisations, schools and partner agencies. 

• Represent KLS at relevant meetings, forums and community events. 

• Refer young people and families to internal casework, advice or external services as appropriate. 

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting 

• Support the Head of Future Foundations with monitoring outcomes, collecting feedback and using data to improve programme quality. 

• Maintain accurate records, including registers, consent forms and monitoring data. 

• Contribute to internal and external reporting, including funder and trustee reports. 

• Contribute evidence, case studies and monitoring information to funding applications, reports and evaluation processes. 

• Ensure the voices, experiences and ideas of young people inform programme development, decision-making and evaluation. 

Resources, Budgets & Planning 

• Monitor expenditure and manage resources, equipment and activity budgets in line with agreed financial procedures. 

• Ensure effective use of resources and value for money across youth provision. 

• Support the planning of annual programmes of activity in collaboration with colleagues, young people and families. 

Collaboration & Organisational Contribution 

• Work closely with colleagues across Future Foundations to provide high-quality, joined-up support. 

• Coordinate the School Years Working Group, supporting colleagues to share learning, collaborate effectively and deliver consistent, high-quality programmes across Future Foundations.

• Communicate effectively across teams to enhance service delivery and organisational learning. 

• Participate in supervision, appraisals, training and reflective practice. 

• Work in line with KLS’s values, policies and procedures at all times. 

Person Specification 

Essential Experience 

• Experience of working with refugee communities and/or children and young people and/or other vulnerable groups, with a strong focus on placing participants’ needs at the centre of service planning and delivery. 

• Experience of planning, delivering and contributing to reporting for projects within the voluntary or community sector (preferably with refugee or sanctuary-seeking communities). 

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and maintain high professional standards. 

• Experience of working sensitively with young people affected by mental health challenges and past trauma, with an empathetic, non-judgemental approach and the ability to build supportive but appropriately boundaried relationships. 

• Up-to-date knowledge of best practice in safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and the ability to apply this in practice. 

• Confident IT skills, including use of the Microsoft Office suite, email, internet-based tools and social media. 

• Commitment to KLS’s mission, vision and values. 

• Passion for social justice, education and championing the strengths of families from refugee and sanctuary-seeking communities. 

Desirable Experience 

• Demonstrable experience of managing and supporting volunteers. 

• A recognised qualification in youth work, teaching or a related field. 

• Experience of monitoring and evaluating projects, including collecting evidence of impact and contributing to reports for funders. 

• Ability to communicate in another language, particularly Arabic, Somali, Farsi, Amharic and/or Tigrinya. 

• Knowledge of Battersea, Wandsworth or similar local communities. 

Other Requirements

• Willingness to work evenings - Monday or Tuesday evenings are a requirement and occasional Wednesday and Thursday evenings 

• Enhanced DBS check required (to be undertaken upon appointment) 

• Participate in regular supervision and annual appraisals; help to identify your own job related development and training needs. 

• Always work with anti-discriminatory, empowering practice, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. 

• Adhere to Katherine Low Settlement’s code of confidentiality, safeguarding and equal opportunities policies.

• Undertake your role in a professional manner and maintain a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of KLS. 

• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to engage effectively with young people, families, colleagues and partner organisations. 

• Ability to motivate, support and encourage young people to build confidence, skills and aspirations. 

• Ability to work effectively as part of a small team, while also working independently, using initiative. 

Further Information  

• Katherine Low Settlement is committed to equal opportunities.

• All offers to work at Katherine Low Settlement are subject to two satisfactory references, which is standard KLS policy applicable to all roles. KLS also ask for an enhanced DBS check.

• You will adhere to matters of confidentiality concerning this role and the KLS team.

• An induction is given to new staff, which includes sharing our policies and procedures relevant to this post.

• There is a 6-month probation period for this role.   

Job Title: Youth Work Co-ordinator

Location: Charlestown Youth Centre, Southdown Crescent Blackley Manchester M9 7DQ

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.

Purpose of Role:

The Youth Work Co-ordinator plays a key role in the day-to-day delivery of high-quality youth work within the centre and the wider community. Working closely with the Centre Manager, the postholder coordinates sessions, leads delivery in practice, and provides guidance and support to youth workers during activities.

This is a hands-on practice leadership role, combining direct youth work with responsibility for session planning, staff co-ordination during delivery, pastoral support, and contribution to residentials and projects. The role supports, but does not replace, the Centre Manager’s accountability for staff line management, safeguarding leadership, and overall centre management.

In the absence of the Centre Manager, the Youth Work Co-ordinator acts as the senior on site lead for day-to-day centre operations and youth work delivery, while not holding line management or strategic authority. This responsibility relates to immediate operational safety and session delivery only, and does not include line management, budgetary authority, or strategic decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

Youth Work Delivery and Session Leadership

• Lead and deliver high quality, inclusive, and young person-centred youth work across centre based provision, outreach, streetbased work, community settings, and outdoor activities.
• Co-ordinate day to day youth work delivery, ensuring sessions and activities (on site and off site) are engaging, purposeful, and responsive to young people’s needs.
• Work with the Centre Manager and wider GMYF team to contribute to programme planning, curriculum development, and forecast of events planning including centre based, outreach, and community-based youth work.
• Take a lead role in session planning, recording, and evaluation to ensure learning, participation, and youth voice remain central across all settings.
• Model excellent youth work practice and set clear expectations for delivery during sessions, outreach activity, and community-based work.

Team Co-ordination and In Session Support

• Co-ordinate and support youth workers and volunteers during sessions, providing clear guidance and practical leadership.
• Deliver session-based briefings and debriefings, ensuring staff are clear on expectations, roles, safeguarding responsibilities, and session focus, and that key information, incidents, and outcomes are accurately recorded and handed over when the Centre Manager is not on site.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and reflective support to staff to strengthen practice and confidence.
• Support the Centre Manager with staff development and performance processes through practice-based feedback and reflective support during delivery, where required.

Safety, Safeguarding and Inclusion

• Act as a key operational safeguarding contact on site, supporting the Centre Manager and following GMYF safeguarding procedures.
• Record, report, and escalate safeguarding concerns promptly and accurately.
• Promote a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all young people.
• Provide in-session pastoral support by shaping the environment and staff responses so young people feel safe, included and able to participate, using restorative and de-escalation approaches to support wellbeing and relationships.
• Provide timely, proportionate interventions to de-escalate behaviour and support positive outcomes for young people, modelling restorative and trauma-informed practice during sessions.
• Work with external agencies and partners to support young people’s needs where appropriate.

Centre Operations and Activities Support

• Support the Centre Manager with daily site checks, risk assessments, and health and safety requirements, escalating issues as required.
• Lead safe evacuation and implement fire or lockdown procedures when acting as the senior on-site lead in the absence of the Centre Manager, ensuring young people, staff and visitors are accounted for and safe.
• Maintain accurate attendance, visitor, and session records.
• Use Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word and PowerPoint) and organisational systems (e.g., Views/Evolve) to support communication and maintain accurate records, monitoring and reporting.
• Support Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) checks and report building or equipment issues.
• Manage petty cash and resources responsibly in line with GMYF procedures.
• Support the effective use of centre spaces, equipment, and materials.
• Open and close the centre safely in line with GMYF procedures when acting as the senior on-site lead.

Residentials, Projects and Quality Development

• Support off site visits, residentials, holiday programmes, and special projects e.g. Events
• Lead or co lead residentials and trips as part of the youth work team, providing pastoral care and in session coordination of staff and young people.
• Work collaboratively with the Outdoor Education Team, recognising their role in activity planning and instruction, while the youth work team leads on pastoral support and group dynamics.
• Work collaboratively with Youth Work Co-ordinators and teams across GMYF centres to support consistency of youth work practice, coordinate provision linked to forecasted activity, residentials, and external events, and contribute to shared learning and best practice.
• Contribute to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting processes, including funding and quality frameworks.
• Support the centre’s self-evaluation and continuous improvement processes.

Professional Conduct and Representation

• Uphold GMYF’s values, policies, and professional standards always.
• Build positive, respectful relationships with young people, colleagues, families, and partners.
• Demonstrate a commitment to continuous professional development (CPD) and reflective practice, using supervision, peer learning, and feedback to continuously improve practice.
• Represent the centre and GMYF positively in the community and at relevant meetings and events.
• Undertake any other duties commensurate with the role, as directed by the Centre Manager.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications & Professional Development

• Level 3 Qualification in Youth Work (or equivalent), or demonstrable experience delivering youth work practice, with a commitment to work towards a Level 3 where not already held.
• Commitment to safeguarding, continuous professional development (CPD), and reflective practice
• Willingness to undertake further relevant professional qualifications and development as required

Experience

• Experience delivering youth work in a centre based, community, or outreach setting
• Experience leading sessions and co-ordinating activities involving other staff or volunteers 
• Experience of safeguarding practice, including recognising concerns, recording information, and escalating appropriately
• Experience working with children and young people who face barriers to participation – such as neurodivergence, experiences of trauma, or social exclusion.

Knowledge & Skills

• Good understanding of safeguarding, risk management, and inclusive practice in youth work 
• Ability to foster positive relationships and support young people in managing behaviour through restorative, relational and de-escalation approaches 
• Ability to plan, co-ordinate, and evaluate engaging, young person-centred sessions 
• Confident communication and interpersonal skills with young people, families, colleagues, and professionals
• Ability to maintain accurate records, including session records and incident logs
• Competence using Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Teams, Word and PowerPoint) and able to learn and use organisational systems (e.g. Views/Evolve) for recording, monitoring and reporting.

Leadership & Personal Attributes

• Ability to provide calm, visible, hands-on leadership during sessions and activities
• Sound judgement and confidence when acting as the senior on site practitioner in the absence of the Centre Manager
• Ability to work collaboratively with Centre Managers, Youth Work Co-ordinators, wider GMYF team and a range of stakeholders including schools, community partners, and families
• Commitment to equality, diversity, safeguarding, and young person-centred practice
• Resilience, adaptability, and the ability to manage competing priorities in a busy operational environment

Additional Requirements

• Willingness to work flexibly, including evenings and occasional weekends and residentials
• Willingness to complete required training (e.g. First Aid, safeguarding, fire safety) within agreed timescales
• Enhanced DBS check

Desirable Criteria

• Degree-level qualification in Youth Work or a related discipline.
• Experience supporting, mentoring, or guiding youth workers, sessional staff, or volunteers in practice.
• Experience supporting offsite activities, residentials, holiday provision, or targeted programmes.
• Experience contributing to or supporting monitoring, evaluation, or reporting processes

Permanent contract with funding until 31st March 2027

35 hours per week

£29,155.68 per annum

Location: Home based with the location being flexible within England and Wales. The role requires regular travel across England and Wales, including overnight stays.

Benefits include but not limited to:

-36 days' annual leave, inclusive of flexible bank holidays, increasing with length of service

-Enhanced maternity/paternity leave

-We match up to 8% pension

-Free counselling service

-Opportunities to develop and widen your skills

-2 days of paid volunteering time per annum to support another part of the organisation

About us:The Children's Society has been helping children and young people in this country for over 140 years. We deliver essential local services that provide safe, trusted support to children and young people during times of significant need.

Our Youth Impact domain creates impact for children and young people. With highly skilled and experienced staff working across England and Wales, we provide direct support to children, young people, parents and carers, as well as conduct research and influence Government to make changes. We also provide training for professionals. Our value driven team change the lives of children in this country for the better — and with your help and expertise, tomorrow we can support even more.

About the role:You'll play a key part in our National Prevention Programme, delivering youth consultation sessions across England and Wales and then developing the findings from these into national reports, resources and training materials for professionals. Through this you will help ensure that young people's views are central to national and local efforts to prevent and disrupt child exploitation.

We're looking for an experienced youth voice worker with the ability to develop and deliver highly engaging consultation sessions with children and young people, including those who have experienced exploitation and abuse in order to champion their voices to professionals and ultimately make a real impact in the lives of children and young people.

Key skills and experience:

The required skills and competencies for this role are:

-Strong experience of and skill in facilitating group work with young people and utilising their views to inform practice

-Experience of developing and delivering high quality training sessions and written resources for professionals

-Strong networking and relationship building skills with both young people and professionals

-Knowledge and skill in child safeguarding and responding to disclosures in group setting

It would also be an advantage if you have any of the following skills and competencies:

-Project planning skills and experience

-Analysis and evaluation skills

-Subject matter expertise around child exploitation and abuse

-Experience of developing and using effective feedback loops with young people

Closing date: Midnight on 16th August 2026

*Please note if we receive a high volume of applications we reserve the right to close the vacancy from the 31st July onwards*

Interviews: First stage interviews with a staff panel on 25th and 26th August 2026, second stage interviews with young people on 28th August 2026

In this role you will:

-Join our award winning national Prevention Programme to influence and encourage new and innovative approaches to prevent child exploitation and abuse, working to ensure all child victims of exploitation are recognised and receive the right support.

-Lead and develop the Programme's Youth Voice work, ensuring young people's views and opinions are central to the Programme's work and wider professional practice to tackle child exploitation and abuse.

We view diversity and inclusion as fundamental to achieving social change and recognise that systemic racism, homophobia, transphobia and disability discrimination actively prevent children from being safeguarded and receiving appropriate support.

To tackle the complex issues facing young people, we need access to diverse talent, perspectives, experiences and working practices. The Prevention Programme is committed to inclusion, anti-racism and trans allyship. We actively support all LGBTQIA+ people, people with disabilities and those who identify as neurodiverse and are currently engaged in work to address issues of systemic exclusion and discrimination as they relate to exploitation and abuse.

We encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds and communities and we have policies to support flexible, inclusive and accessible employment.

The Children's Society is committed to safeguarding and protection of the children and young people we work with. As such, our safer recruitment process includes a Basic or Enhanced DBS check, 5 years of references, and additional vetting checks relevant to the role. We have a comprehensive range of policies and procedures in place to promote safeguarding and safer working practices across all areas of our organisation.

In support of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, shortlisting is carried out on an anonymised basis. Personal details are hidden from the shortlisting panel, and candidates are referenced by a candidate number only. As part of this process, we ask that your CV is anonymised before submission - this means removing personal information such as your name, contact details, age, and any other identifying details.

AI tools can support your application but only when used appropriately. You're welcome to use them to improve clarity, structure, and research. However, overuse or misuse (e.g. inventing experience or using AI during assessments) may lead to rejection at any stage. We want to hear the real you - authenticity matters.

IN1

About KLS’ Future Foundations education team 

Future Foundations is an education programme of Katherine Low Settlement. Since 2004, KLS’ Future Foundations education team of 10 part-time staff and over 100 volunteers, have supported young refugees and their families in Battersea and the London Borough of Wandsworth to thrive in their education. Through mentoring, family support, casework and homework clubs, we provide the tailored support each young person and their family (if they have one) needs to overcome the barriers to education they face at home and school. 

Key Objectives for this Role 

Working closely with the Lead Youth Worker and Youth Worker you will help create safe, engaging and inclusive opportunities for children and young people to learn, build confidence and develop positive relationships. 

Homework Clubs 

• Support the running and planning of two weekly homework clubs for children age 5 - 14.

• Contribute to the development of engaging session plans and learning activities. 

• Research and source resources and materials to support activities and learning.

• Support to plan and run engaging and fun activities/ongoing projects for children attending the clubs.

• Use participatory approaches to ensure young people help shape activities and programme development.

• Encourage children and young people to take ownership of activities and contribute to decision-making within the clubs Implement our behaviour management policy and work from a trauma informed perspective. 

• Support the registration and onboarding of new participants, ensuring records and consent information are accurate and up to date Liaise with families/carers when necessary. 

• Maintain accurate records, registers, case studies, feedback, photographs and other monitoring information in line with organisational requirements and funding obligations.

• Maintain excellent safeguarding practices. 

• Support the wider Future Foundations team to identify support needs and make referrals to appropriate external services and partner organisations.

• Provide cover for youth, mentoring and homework club sessions when required.

Trips and activities  

• Support the planning and delivery of an annual programme of educational, recreational and enrichment activities, including trips during school holidays.

• Ensure that this is done in collaboration with children, young people, their families and other KLS projects. 

• Assist with the summer programme development, organisation and delivery.

Teamwork and reporting 

• Work with Future Foundations team members to coordinate work, refer young people and/or parents/carers to our casework and advice team. 

• Work with Community Learning Coordinator to refer and encourage parent participation in workshops and other activities at KLS. 

• Contribute information, case studies and impact data for reports to funders, trustees and other stakeholders.

• Communicate well with other teams within KLS to provide a high-quality service to our members 

Other Duties  

• Participate in regular supervision, team meetings and annual appraisals; help to identify your own job related development and training needs. 

• Always work with anti-discriminatory, empowering practice, ensuring everyone is treated with dignity and respect. 

• Adhere to Katherine Low Settlement’s code of confidentiality, safeguarding and equal opportunities policies.

• Undertake your role in a professional manner and maintain a high-quality standard of work in accordance with the aims, values and ethos of KLS.

The above job description reflects the position at the time of writing; it is not intended to be a task list but indicates the general level of work involved. It is expected that duties will be reviewed and revised as required.   

Person Specification

The following skills and experience are required for this post:

Essential

• Experience of working with refugee communities and/or children/young people and/or vulnerable groups ensuring that clients’ needs are at the forefront of service planning and delivery
• Experience of planning, delivery and reporting in a similar voluntary sector project (preferably with refugee communities) 
• Excellent communicating skills (oral and written) with refugee young people, their families, staff and partner organisations
• Ability to motivate, support and encourage young people 
• Ability to work as part of small team, whilst also working independently
• Personal attributes: hard working, organised, takes initiative, reliable, patient, high professional standards
• Experience and sensitivity working with young people who are affected by mental health issues and past trauma.Empathetic, non-judgemental and able to form supportive but boundaried relationships with young people 
• Knowledge of up-to-date best practice as regards safeguarding the welfare of children
• Excellent IT skills including MS Office suite and ability to use Internet, email and social media 
• Committed to KLS’s mission, vision and values 
• Passionate about social justice, education and championing the value of families from refugee communities

Desirable

• Track record of managing volunteers
• A recognised teaching and/or youth work qualification 
• Experience of monitoring and evaluating projects effectively and ensuring that they are consistently meeting needs and being able to demonstrate value to funders

Support Worker

We're looking for a passionate, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Mental Health Social Care Service in Tower Hamlets

£20,010.00 per annum, working 26 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
* Free DBS
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The working pattern for this role is: - 2x 13 hour shifts per week, including weekends and bank holidays
Needs to be available for Friday team meetings

What you'll do:
* Building supportive, trusting relationships with customers and creating a positive
* atmosphere
* Working proactively with other members of the team to handle the service caseload and
* administrative responsibilities
* Conducting key work sessions as required, that are innovative and engaging in order to
* achieve individual goals
* Ensuring ongoing assessment and management of risks associated with customers within
* an attitude of 'positive risk taking'
* Providing support with daily living activities, including practical assistance to support
* customers to independent living e.g. budgeting, cooking, establishing a night time routine
* Supporting customers to maintain a healthy environment and where appropriate assisting
* them to clean their accommodation and maintain good personal hygiene
* Assisting in the recording and reporting of customer incidents
* Managing customer referrals, completing assessments and obtaining and maintaining all
* relevant paperwork

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
* Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage
* customer involvement
* Approachable and open behaviour
* Prefers working as part of a group or team
* Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
* Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
* Flexible
* Open to feedback and self development
* Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments
* Is confident with high levels of self-esteem
* Is respectful, articulate and sensitive in style of communication
* Is essentially customer-focused
* Is motivated towards excellence and improvement of personal performance with a can do attitude
* Ability to cope positively with challenging and diverse behaviours

What you'll bring:
Essential
* NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent with some or equivalent sector work experience

Desirable
* Experience working in a mental health setting or service.

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job Description

We're looking for a kind, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Young People Mental Health Service located in Ealing. No personal care or experience required, just the right values.

£30,784.00 per annum, working 40 hours per week.

Our benefits include:

• Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
• Free DBS
• A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)

All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

Oaklands is made up of a newly refurbished six-bedroom home, located close to each other in Ealing, West London. We work with up to 6 young people at a time, providing a safe, supportive, and welcoming environment. Many of the young people joining us are moving on from hospital, stepping down from more intensive placements, or transitioning from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services to Adult services.

What you'll do:

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead.

• Build supportive, trusting relationships with young people and help create a positive, welcoming atmosphere.
• Work proactively with other members of the team to manage the service caseload and carry out necessary administrative tasks.
• Conduct keywork sessions as required, using creative and engaging approaches to help young people achieve their Support Plan goals.
• Work collaboratively with young people to assess and manage risks, supporting positive risk-taking and shared decision-making.

About you:

• Ability to advocate for young people in a variety of professional and community settings.
• Values working collaboratively with young people to ensure the service truly meets their needs.
• Understands the impact of individual context, including experiences of trauma and adversity, on young people's lives and mental health.

What you'll bring:

Essential:

• Up to NVQ Level 2/3 or equivalent, or experience supporting young people or individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

Desirable

• Experience working in complex mental health environments, supported accommodation, or similar settings.
• Understanding of trauma-informed and psychologically informed approaches.
• Experience supporting people to develop independent living skills.

About us:

Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Young People Support Worker

We promise you that no day will be the same, and you will get so much out of working with our residents as you ensure that they are well-cared for, and empowered to make progress into Independence.

 

Location: Whitley Bay (Depaul House)

Salary: £19,738.88 per annum

Closing date: 9th August 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 28

About the Role

You’ll play a vital part in delivering our mission: tackling homelessness, widening opportunity and championing fairness. Whatever your specialism, you’ll help create a safe, inclusive and empowering environment where people can thrive and move forward with confidence.

As a Young People Support Worker (Whitley Bay), you will provide practical, emotional, and goal-focused support to young people, helping them develop the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to move towards independent living.

You will manage a caseload of young people with a range of support needs, building trusted relationships and delivering structured, person-centred support plans. The role involves supporting young people through key transitions, including leaving care, sustaining accommodation, and accessing education, training, or employment.

Your work will be underpinned by the Depaul Endeavour Model, an assets-based and psychologically informed approach, ensuring young people are supported to build on their strengths and achieve positive outcomes.

Please note that this job opportunity is offered as a part-time (28 hours per week), permanent role.

Shift Pattern: Saturday & Sunday - 08:00 to 22:00

In this role, you will:

• Provide safe, supportive accommodation and champion the wellbeing of every client.

• Deliver personalised support plans that empower individuals to achieve independence.

• Build positive, respectful relationships with colleagues, partners and the people we support.

• Encourage participation in education, training, employment, and volunteering opportunities.

• Contribute to a positive team culture and maintain a safe, welcoming environment.

• Commit to continuous learning and uphold Depaul’s values of respect, inclusion, and action.

About You

You believe in people — their strengths, their rights and their potential. You bring empathy, energy and a solution‑focused mindset to your work. You communicate clearly, stay organised and adapt well in a fast‑moving environment. You’re committed to inclusion, fairness and continuous learning, and you turn values into meaningful action, whatever your role.

What You’ll Receive

· Tailored training and development

· Flexible working options where suitable

· 26 days annual leave, rising with service

· Family friendly leave policies

· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

· Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

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

· Cash health plan for you and your family

· Death in service benefit

· Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

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

About Depaul UK

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

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

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

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

22.5 hours per week / £28,330 per annum, pro rata / permanent / working onsite on a seven-day rolling rota, including evenings, weekends and bank holidays.

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

Our 16+ Older Looked After Young People (OLYP), Care Leavers and Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) services delivers specialist 24-hour supported accommodation where young people are supported to acquire the necessary skills in preparation for living independently, safely explore their increased freedom of choice and develop responsibilities associated with adulthood, whilst still having the appropriate level of support from an experienced team.

We adopt a trauma informed and psychologically informed approach to supporting our residents to help them build essential life skills, identify their goals and support residents into independent accommodation. We have a dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers and additional Bank Workers who provide support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building.

We are looking for a Supported Housing Support Worker to join our Ewhurst Road, Crawley team, who will hold a caseload of residents and meet with them weekly to build a support plan. 

Main areas of responsibilities are:

Housing:

• Coach young people to manage their occupancy agreement and adhere to house rules, in preparation for independent living
• Promote a credit culture, encouraging young people to keep up to date with all payments for rent
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of housing and welfare benefits for young people and be well-informed on significant changes to housing law
• Deal effectively with non-compliance issues, such as non-payment of rent or damage to room, using restorative practices and working collaboratively with the rest of the team

Coaching and Engagement:

• Coach young people so they can articulate their aspirations and ambitions and take the lead in acquiring the skills they need to live independent and fulfilling lives
• Ensure young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal development, to engage with the services on offer and build strong networks and connections within the local community 
• Ensure consistent standards of safeguarding and Trauma Informed Practice when supporting young people, observing our safeguarding procedures, and keeping yourself and residents safe by respecting professional boundaries
• Maintain client records on In-Form (client database) detailing the young person’s journey in relation to their strengths and needs, any risks, and any outcomes (to monitor service performance)

General:

• Work as part of a team, on a rota shift pattern, ensuring young people at the service have non-judgemental, objective, and supportive staff during the day/evening, along with taking responsibility for personal safety during periods of lone working
• Contribute to a great working environment, with a calm, yet assertive manner, being able to handle potentially difficult situations
• Participate in relevant continuing professional development and utilise Reflective Practice Supervision as part of leading psychologically informed practice

There will be times when lone working will be a requirement for this role, but you will get to know the team and service, along with an induction and training prior to starting on a rota. 

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

This is a dynamic and varied role; you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people.

Experience and Knowledge:

• Experience relating to housing, support work, and/or working with young people at risk
• Experience of working proactively with a caseload of young people with multiple and complex needs to enable them to achieve independent living
• Knowledge of statutory and voluntary resources available to young people with multiple and complex needs
• Knowledge of good safeguarding procedures in relation to young people and the ability to maintain effective professional boundaries
• Demonstrated confidence and competence in recording notes/actions in service log, incident forms and health and safety check lists

Skills and Abilities: 

• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident’s progression, and to evidence outcomes achieved
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, including signposting and advocating for clients as necessary
• Ability to work autonomously, and use own initiative, as well as being part of a team
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, good IT, and keyboard skills
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 9 August 2026 at midnight. 

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.

We're looking for a passionate, compassionate and resilient Support Worker to join our Learning Disabilities Social Care Service in Kent

£26,228.00 per annum, working 37.5 hours per week.

Want to feel like you have an exciting future? You'll feel at home here.
Making you feel at home here means helping you thrive in every way. That's why we offer a wide range of benefits, award-winning Learning & Development and a culture that welcomes all. These aren't token gestures - we've thought long and hard about how best to support our team. After all, our people are doing something amazing: helping to transform lives every day.
Our benefits include:
* Annual leave increasing up to 30 days with length of service
* A generous pension - we will contribute up to 8% and life assurance cover up to 3x Pensionable Salary (T&Cs apply)
* Exclusive discounts and cashback via Reward Gateway® and opportunity to buy a Blue Light Card
* Fully paid induction programme and further training
* ILM courses and Apprenticeship Programmes
* Cycle to work scheme
* Employee Assistance Programme for 24-7 confidential support
* Online wellbeing resources
* Quarterly Staff Awards to reward & recognise our amazing staff's commitment and contribution
* Free DBS
All applicants must be legally eligible to work in the UK by the start of employment as Look Ahead are not able to offer sponsorship.

The working pattern for this role is: - 7.30am-3pm, 2.30pm-10pm, 7.30am-10pm

What you'll do:
* Supporting the customer to undertake a full timetable of preferred activities including sport and leisure activities, attending community groups, visiting local amenities, and introducing them to new activities to expand their horizons and networks;
* Developing the customer's independent living skills and involving them in all aspects of maintaining and developing their home, including cooking, shopping, cleaning and decorating;
* Enabling the customer to keep up with the important people in their life and to meet new people with shared interests;
* Supporting the customer to communicate their wants and needs, and communicating with them in a person-centred way;
* Supporting the customer to manage their anxieties and frustrations, using Positive Behaviour Support and Autism-specific approaches;
* Collating a range of behavioural data and essential paperwork to be analysed within our local management structure;
* Driving the customer to activities using the customer's vehicle, in rotation with the wider team;
* Communicating with family members and a range of other key stakeholders including social work, psychology and commissioning teams;

This is not an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required from time to time and is subject to change in accordance with the needs of Look Ahead

About you:
- Enjoys social interaction and the company of others, joins in local activities to encourage customer involvement
- Exudes a warm friendly presence and open behaviour
- Prefers working as part of a group or team
- Is fundamentally calm and resilient, does not let emotion adversely affect them or obscure their judgement
- Has a practical and logical mind and is naturally well organised
- Thrives on change and enjoys dynamic diverse environments

What you'll bring:
Essential
? NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
? Minimum 2 years of experience working with customers with Autism/Challenging Behaviour/learning disabilities and supporting them in line with a PBS framework

Desirable
? Has some experience in Trauma Informed care
? Has some experience in working with people with Mental health
? Driving licence and a willingness to drive as part of support duties

About us:

Look Ahead is a leading, not-for-profit care and support provider in London and the South East. Our vision is to build better lives through social care and housing in local communities. As an organisation we deliver over 100 services, providing support to thousands of customers each year. Our mission is to co-design and deliver services that offer innovative social care solutions and support people to thrive. We work across mental health, homelessness and complex needs, young people and care leavers and learning disabilities so there are plenty of opportunities to grow and progress your career with us.
We have a strong social purpose and we live and work by our values:
* We focus on Excellence and innovation.
* We are Caring and Compassionate.
* We are Inclusive and Trusted.
* We work in Partnership and are One-Team.
Look Ahead is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk, and expects all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment.

If your application for this role is unsuccessful, but we feel that you would be suitable for another role, we may contact you to discuss alternative opportunities. If this occurs you would not need to submit another application for the alternative role.

We reserve the right to close this advert early if we are able to appoint to the vacancy before the advertised closed date.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion at work and are accredited with Silver in the Inclusive Employers Standard 2021. We are a proud member of the Employers Domestic Abuse Covenant and encourage applications from a diverse range of applicants of all backgrounds.

Please see our website for full Job Description

Are you looking for a rewarding job with flexibility to work around your commitments, whilst making positive changes in young people’s lives?

You will be offered available shifts (day, evening, night, weekends and bank holidays) in advance and at short notice – you choose which ones you want to work.

YMCA DownsLink Group is the leading charity for children and young people across Sussex and Surrey. We offer safe homes, mental health support and trusted advice.

We believe that every child and young person has the right to be safe, heard and to shape their own future. We work alongside them to make that happen.

We are here for children and young people, many of whom face multiple challenges and need our support.

Our Values - we do what’s right, we work with heart, and we build real connections – guide us in all our actions.

We are looking for Bank Supported Housing Support Workers to join our Hastings Foyer team. YMCA Hastings provides medium-low supported accommodation for a total of 47 young people at risk of homelessness, aged 16 to 25, and care experienced young people under the age of 18. We have a dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Support Workers and additional Bank Workers who provide support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building. Situated just of the seafront, the service has strong links with and contributes to the local community.

Our Bank Support Worker roles are similar to our Support Workers roles, but they work on a more flexible, temporary basis – they are great way into the organisation and can be a stepping stone into other roles. 

In this rewarding role you will work proactively and creatively alongside young people providing support, guidance, and signposting around areas such as housing, budgeting, living skills, jobs and relationship building. You will contribute to the smooth and safe running of the services by providing consistency and reliability.

You will ideally have experience of working with a similar client group and a good understanding of the key risks, challenges and opportunities for young people.

If you’re enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 16 August 2026 at midnight. 

We are not able to support a work permit or offer a visa sponsorship for this role. Candidates must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. Successful applicants are required to undertake an Enhanced DBS (including the Children’s and Adults’ barred lists) check, along with a reference and background check carried out by a third-party service provider.

Young People Support Worker

If you are the successful candidate, you will be joining a very tight-knit and supportive team that works tirelessly to ensure some of the most vulnerable individuals in the borough are well-cared for.

Location: Chester, Cheshire

Salary: £26,436 per annum + sleep in payments

Closing Date: 02 August, 2026

Employment Type: Permanent

Hours per week: 37.5

About the Role

Young People Support Worker (+ Sleep-in Payments) – Chester

Make a real difference to the lives of young people leaving care. As a Young People Support Worker at our service in Chester, you'll support young people aged 16–18 to build the confidence, resilience and practical skills they need to live independently. You'll manage a caseload, deliver personalised support plans, promote wellbeing, and help young people access housing, education, training and employment opportunities.

You will be someone with experience supporting young people or vulnerable groups, strong safeguarding knowledge, and the ability to build trusted relationships. You'll be confident in support planning, risk assessment and multi-agency working, while taking a proactive, strengths-based approach that empowers young people to achieve their goals.

Join a values-led organisation committed to preventing homelessness and unlocking potential. In return, you'll receive excellent training, ongoing development and the opportunity to create lasting positive outcomes every day. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are committed to building an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive.

Please note that this job opportunity is offered as a full-time (37.5 hours per week), permanent role.

Shift Pattern

A typical week consists of two shifts. Each shift begins at 9:30am and finishes at 11pm, followed by an overnight sleep-in. The shift then resumes at 07:00am and finishes at 12:00pm the following day. This entire period is classed as one shift. Sleep-ins are a requirement of the role and attract an additional payment. Flexibility to work bank holiday is also required in line with the needs of the service.

In this role, you will:

• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of clients in the service at all times possible, including using safeguarding and emergency alert procedures where applicable

• Carry a caseload of clients for whom you will be the named key worker, and you will also take joint responsibility with your team members for the well-being and day to day support of all clients in the services

• Lead on risk and needs assessment and support planning for your key clients and contribute to ongoing needs and risk assessment of other clients in the service

• Develop and implement SMART outcomes based support plans for your key clients

• Deliver one-to one and group support opportunities within their accommodation and in the local community aimed at increasing resilience in the clients we work with

• Proactively work in partnership with multiple agencies including statutory teams, to support the well-being of Depaul clients in accordance with data protection and information sharing protocols

• Adopt a flexible, reflective and creative approach in your engagement with clients and personalised in your support to them

• Involve clients in the decisions made about them and encourage participation in Depaul’s wider community programme of activities

• Support all clients to participate in Education, Training, Employment and Volunteering opportunities as appropriate to the development of their skills, assets and aspirations

• Have responsibilities as part of the team for ensuring the health and safety of the environment for clients, staff, visitors and volunteers through regular checks and reporting

• Have responsibility as a member of the team for preparing the accommodation for new clients to move into and supporting the client to settle in

• Support and facilitate the work of the volunteers who add value to the work that we do

• In conjunction with Senior Worker, ensure that regular health and safety inspections are carried out in DePaul’s managed properties. To respond to reported repairs in a timely manner and to review health and safety risk assessments with the senior worker

• To interview and assess suitability of referrals to the criteria and objectives of the project

• Undertake further duties as commensurate to the role and identified by your line manager

• To participate in internal/external meetings and attend Core training events

• Demonstrate a commitment to client involvement by advocating client involvement opportunities, for example by actively promoting the Voice of Depaul to clients and holding residents meetings

• To maintain appropriate young person files and ensure clear and concise written records

About You

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

• Experience in working with care leavers, young people or other vulnerable groups

• Experience of Safeguarding in children and adults and operating safeguarding requirements and procedures

• Experience of using Risk Assessments and Support Planning tools

• Experience of managing a case load, recording and record keeping

• Experience of lone working

• Excellent communication skills, literacy, numeracy and IT skills

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Effective collaborative working

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

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

What You’ll Receive

· Tailored training and development

· Flexible working options where suitable

· 26 days annual leave, rising with service

· Family friendly leave policies

· Pension scheme with employer contributions up to 7%

· Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access

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

· Cash health plan for you and your family

· Death in service benefit

· Access to legal and practical support

Safer Recruitment

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

About Depaul UK

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

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

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

Guildford Foyer provides 24-hour supported accommodation for up to 33 young people aged 16–25, including those with a range of complex support needs and young people who have arrived in the UK as unaccompanied asylum seekers.

We are committed to providing high-quality, trauma-informed and psychologically informed support that empowers young people to build confidence, develop essential life skills, and work towards their individual goals and aspirations. By creating a safe, inclusive and nurturing environment, we help residents develop the independence, resilience and connections they need to thrive in the future.

Our dedicated team of Support Workers, Night Workers and Bank Workers work alongside residents with compassion and professionalism, providing tailored support, guidance and signposting across areas such as housing, education, employment, budgeting, wellbeing and positive relationships.

Located in the heart of Guildford, the service is well connected to local opportunities and community resources, enabling young people to build meaningful connections and become active members of their community.

Main areas of responsibilities are:

Housing and Compliance

• Support young people to understand and comply with their occupancy agreements, including coaching them to meet house rules and responsibilities as part of preparing for successful independent living.
• Promote a strong rent‑payment and credit culture, encouraging residents to maintain regular payments and understand their financial obligations.
• Maintain up‑to‑date knowledge of housing legislation, welfare benefits, and statutory requirements affecting young people, ensuring practice aligns with current housing law and organisational policies.
• Respond promptly and effectively to breaches of agreement, including rent arrears, antisocial behaviour, or property damage, using restorative approaches where appropriate and working collaboratively with the wider team.

Coaching and Engagement

• Coach young people so they can articulate their aspirations and ambitions and take the lead in acquiring the skills they need to live independent and fulfilling lives.
• Ensure young people are encouraged to take responsibility for their own personal development, to engage with the services on offer and build strong networks and connections within the local community.
• Ensure consistent standards of safeguarding and Trauma Informed Practice when supporting young people, observing our safeguarding procedures, and keeping yourself and residents safe by respecting professional boundaries.
• Maintain client records on In-Form (client database) detailing the young person’s journey in relation to their strengths and needs, any risks, and any outcomes (to monitor service performance).

There will be times when lone working will be a requirement for this role, but you will get to know the team and service, along with an induction and training prior to starting on a rota. 

If you are enthusiastic about this opportunity but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway and demonstrate how your experience is transferrable. You may be just the right candidate. 

This is a dynamic and varied role; you will be passionate about being involved in the support and growth of young people.

Experience and Knowledge

• Experience in housing or supported accommodation, ideally supporting young people with multiple and complex needs.
• Strong understanding of occupancy agreements, rent management, welfare benefits, and tenancy sustainment.
• Ability to manage arrears, ASB, and other non‑compliance issues using appropriate and restorative approaches.
• Good knowledge of housing legislation, safeguarding procedures, and compliance requirements, with the ability to maintain clear professional boundaries.
• Familiarity with statutory and voluntary services available to young people and ability to work proactively with a caseload to support progression towards independent living.

Skills and Abilities

• Confident in record‑keeping, including case notes, incident reporting, and health and safety checks.
• Ability to communicate clearly both verbally and in writing for appropriate recording of a resident’s progression, and to evidence outcomes achieved.
• Ability to build and maintain strong relationships with all stakeholders, including signposting and advocating for clients as necessary.
• Ability to work autonomously, and use own initiative, as well as being part of a team.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, good IT, and keyboard skills.
• Ability to de-escalate volatile situations and manage challenging behaviour appropriately.

CLOSING DATE: Sunday 26 July 2026 at midnight. If we find the right candidate sooner than expected, we may close the advert early - so early applications are strongly encouraged.

PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorship for this role, so applicants must already have the right to live and work in the UK independently.

An inclusive workplace We are committed to policies and practices of equity, diversity, and inclusion and to supporting our people to make sure our culture is consistent with this commitment. 

Accessibility If you require assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please do contact us.

YMCA DLG requires all staff and volunteers to be committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and to respond proactively to safeguarding concerns. 

Successful applicants will undergo a thorough background screening process, conducted by an accredited third-party provider. This includes an Enhanced DBS check (with Children’s and Adults’ Barred Lists) as well as comprehensive reference and activity checks.