169 Youth development worker jobs

YEF Detached Youth Work Area Lead

Relationships change lives.

At M13 Youth Project, we believe every young person deserves trusted adults who believe in them, walk alongside them and help them discover who they are, what they have to offer and the difference they can make. For over 30 years, we've built those relationships through detached youth work - meeting young people where they choose to be, listening deeply and creating opportunities for belonging, belief and hope.

We're now looking for an experienced Detached Youth Work Area Lead to join our team and play a key role in one of the UK's most ambitious detached youth work research pilots.

M13 is leading the Greater Manchester consortium delivering the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) Detached Youth Work Pilot. The Pilot aims to build a strong evidence base for detached youth work, combining outstanding frontline practice with rigorous evaluation to shape the future of youth work nationally.

Reporting to the YEF Detached Youth Work Project Lead, you'll work across three neighbourhoods and lead detached youth work in at least two of these, within M13's delivery of the pilot. You'll be responsible for delivering high-quality detached youth work outdoors in public spaces (on streets, in parks and other community spaces), modelling excellent relational detached youth work practice, supporting less experienced colleagues through day-to-day practice, contributing to monitoring and evaluation, and building positive relationships with young people, local residents, community organisations and partner agencies.

This is first and foremost a frontline detached youth work role. You'll spend much of your week in outdoors in parks, streets and neighbourhoods, building trusted relationships with young people through conversation, consistency and purposeful informal education. Alongside this, you'll help ensure high-quality implementation of the YEF Shared Practice Model within your neighbourhood patches, contribute to monitoring and reporting and work closely with the Project Lead and wider team to support the successful delivery of the pilot.

We're looking for someone who is a qualified (NVQ L2 in Youth Work) and experienced (2 years) detached youth worker, confident leading excellent practice and passionate about relational detached youth work. You'll be organised, reflective and proactive, with experience of taking responsibility for detached youth work within a neighbourhood, maintaining high-quality records, building effective local partnerships and supporting colleagues through encouragement, reflection and shared learning. Most importantly, you'll share our belief that relationships are the foundation for meaningful change.

This is a 22.5- 25 hour per week, community and office-based role (M13's full-time week is 37.5 hours). Your week will include six detached youth work sessions (three afternoons and three evenings), alongside planning, monitoring, partnership working and reflective practice. Some flexibility can be offered around when office-based work is undertaken, where operationally possible.

In return, we offer a supportive, reflective and values-led working environment, regular supervision, ongoing professional development, a generous employer pension contribution, TOIL for out-of-hours working, additional Christmas gift leave and the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant research that could shape the future of detached youth work.

If you're an experienced detached youth worker, confident in leading work in ourdoor community public spaces, ready to combine outstanding frontline practice with leadership of detached youth work across neighbourhoods, learning and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.

About the role:

Step into a role where your drive, resilience and belief in young people can truly change lives. As a Young Person’s Worker in Camden, you will be right alongside young people at risk of homelessness, helping them move from uncertainty towards stability and independence. This is hands on, purposeful work where every day matters, and where your determination can unlock real opportunity for those who need it most.

In this role, you will manage a caseload of young people, building trusted relationships and empowering them to lead their journey forward. You will create and review personalised support and safety plans, support moves into independent accommodation, and help young people take confident steps into education, training or employment. Working within a trauma informed and strengths based approach, you will champion each young person’s goals while developing practical life skills such as budgeting, self care and cooking. You will also support access to essential services including mental health support, housing advice and employment pathways, motivating and coaching young people to take ownership of their futures.

At Single Homeless Project (SHP), you will be part of a tenacious, values driven team that does not shy away from challenge and believes in doing things differently to achieve lasting change. We will support your ambition with ongoing training, development and the chance to grow your career while making a genuine impact. If you are ready to bring your energy, compassion and persistence to a role that truly matters, we would love to hear from you.

*This role includes sleep-in shifts as part of the rota at Cecil Court, which are paid at an additional rate on top of your salary.

About you:

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

About Us:

We’re London’s leading homelessness charity – and we get things done.

In a city where hundreds are forced into homelessness every day, our work has never been more needed or more challenging. And we’re not shying away. We’re rolling up our sleeves to make change and helping over 10,000 Londoners every year. We prevent homelessness, provide safe places to live and give people the opportunity to rebuild their lives and transform their futures. And we never give up. 

We’re here for Londoners wherever they are on their journey. We start with trust, building relationships that help people feel safe, supported, and ready to move forward. Every day, we put people first in everything we do, challenging injustice and barriers that keep people from the safety, stability and opportunity they deserve. We stand alongside people as they rebuild and shape a future that feels their own. 

Joining Single Homeless Project means joining a team that’s bold, compassionate and determined to do better for the people we support and for each other. You’ll work alongside colleagues with lived experience, in a space that’s trans-inclusive, disability-friendly, and actively striving to be anti-oppressive and equitable. 

We’re not perfect, but we’re real. We listen. We learn. And we push forward, together. Because this isn’t just a job. It’s a chance to lead with empathy, spark change, and help build a London where no one is left behind.

Important Info:

Closing Date: Sunday 4th October at midnight

Interview date: Tuesday 13th, Wednesday 14th and Friday 16th October at SHP Head Office in Kings Cross

Please note there will be a second stage interview in service for suitable candidates

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

Please note applications are reviewed for AI use in application questions. Applications with insufficient/without current right to work or requiring sponsorship will not be accepted for this role. 

Job Title: Digital Content & Community Lead
Location: London, Salford or Belfast, based from an RFF office with hybrid working arrangements and extensive travel across the UK and Ireland
Salary: £30,000-£35,000 per annum, depending on experience
Hours: 36 hours per week
Reports to: Deputy CEO & Director of Development

Job Description:

You’ll lead RFF’s Instagram and TikTok presence, creating distinctive social-first content and building engaged digital communities around our work.

This is a hands-on role. You’ll spend time with young people, staff, partners and ambassadors across the UK and Ireland, spotting, capturing and creating content that brings the Foundation to life. While Instagram and TikTok will be at the heart of the role, you’ll also support RFF’s wider digital and communications activity as required — including creating and adapting content for platforms such as LinkedIn, X and YouTube, supporting email communications and press activity, and helping strengthen RFF’s media presence around key events and opportunities.

We’re open to emerging talent and care more about what you can create, your understanding of digital communities and your creative instincts than where you learned your skills.

KEY DUTIES:

Social Content & Community

• Take day-to-day ownership of RFF’s Instagram and TikTok channels, growing active and engaged communities around our work.
• Develop a forward content plan while responding creatively to trends, conversations and opportunities in real time.
• Listen to our audiences, engage actively with our communities and use insight and performance to continually improve our content.

Content Creation & Production

• Proactively identify content opportunities across RFF’s work, partnerships and events, and plan, film, photograph, interview and edit high-quality social-first content across a range of formats.
• Create content specifically for digital platforms, particularly short-form video for Instagram Reels and TikTok, and maximise content captured by adapting it effectively across formats and channels.
• Use and advise on appropriate production equipment, software and tools, while maintaining an organised digital content and asset library for the Foundation.

Young People & Youth-led Content

• Build positive and appropriate relationships with young people, creating content with them rather than simply about them and representing their personalities, perspectives, interests and achievements authentically.
• Create opportunities for young people to contribute as creators, presenters, interviewers and storytellers and, over time, help identify and develop aspiring young content creators from across RFF.
• Ensure all content involving young people is created, captured, stored and used in line with RFF’s safeguarding, consent and data-protection requirements.

Partnerships, Ambassadors & Collaboration

• Work creatively with RFF’s corporate and industry partners, ambassadors and wider network to develop co-created content, campaigns and opportunities that benefit both RFF and its collaborators.
• Build strong relationships with partner communications and social teams, identifying opportunities for collaborative content, cross-platform amplification and reaching new communities and audiences.
• Work confidently across different environments - from community youth sessions to major corporate, media, sporting and cultural events - adapting your approach to different people, audiences and opportunities.

Wider Digital Content

• Support the creation and adaptation of content across RFF’s wider digital ecosystem, including YouTube, LinkedIn, X and the Foundation’s website, while keeping Instagram and TikTok as the primary focus.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues to support wider communications activity, including email communications, press and media activity, campaigns, launches and events, and make effective use of strong content across channels.
• Bring ideas about new platforms, formats, technologies and approaches that could strengthen RFF’s digital presence and help our content reach and engage different audiences.

Insight & Performance

• Monitor channel and content performance, using analytics to understand engagement, community growth, reach, audience behaviour and what content is creating meaningful interaction.
• Test new approaches and formats, learn from performance and audience response, and use those insights to continually develop RFF’s social content and community approach.
• Keep up to date with developments across social media, digital content, creator culture and platform changes, sharing clear insights and emerging opportunities with the Director of Development and wider team.

Youth Outreach and Community Worker (London - Waterloo)

Railway Children (UK Programme)

£32,000 per year plus 10% London weighting

Full-time – Permanent

WE STAND FOR CHILDREN, THEIR CHILDHOODS AND THEIR FUTURES - WILL YOU? 

Looking for a rewarding role where you can make a difference? Do you have the drive to create positive change in children’s lives and inspire others to do the same?

If the answer is yes, then read on to hear about this exciting opportunity.

We’re Railway Children, an international charity working to create long-lasting change for street-connected children and young people in the UK, India and Tanzania. Founded in 1996, we’ve dedicated over a quarter of a century to developing outstanding practice and services for vulnerable children and their families. As part of our current strategy to 2027, we have ambitious plans to ensure no child is left behind, wherever we work.

The role
We are looking to recruit a Youth Outreach and Community Worker in London as part of our UK Programme.

This role requires close working with partners, engaging and safeguarding young people in and around Waterloo Station, helping to identify and safeguard young people at risk of criminal and sexual exploitation, county lines, missing from home, homelessness or family breakdown. This role involves working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.

You will be working closely alongside key partners such as British Transport Police, security staff, Train Operators, Youth Services and other local stakeholders.

You’ll play a key role in the development of our UK Safeguarding on Transport Programme and part of a dynamic team delivering Railway Children’s safeguarding programme in the UK.

About you
We are looking for someone who brings experience of successfully engaging and supporting young people as well as experience of working in an outreach or similar community setting, in a creative and engaging way with young people with a range of needs and vulnerabilities.

Alongside this you will be able to work effectively with community and statutory partners to safeguard young people.

You will have completed relevant training, have experience in safeguarding and in the issues relevant to vulnerable young and families. Therefore, you will be an experienced practitioner with an excellent understanding of safeguarding processes and procedures, who is able to work creatively, independently and within professional boundaries.

Your base would be at Waterloo station with regular travel to other stations and some home working. This role involves working regular unsociable hours including evenings and weekends.

A full job specification can be found in the job pack.

For further information about this post and working for Railway Children, including how to apply, please visit our website.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates with a diverse range of backgrounds and lived experience.

Railway Children is committed to safeguarding anyone who comes into contact with us and implements a range of policies to ensure only those suitable to work with vulnerable groups are employed.

Closing Date: Wednesday 23rd September

Online Interviews: Wednesday 30th September/Thursday 1st October

In person interviews: Wednesday 7th October/Thursday 8th October

Young People Support Worker

We are seeking a compassionate and resilient Support Worker to help young people experiencing homelessness build safer, more independent futures.

Position: Young People Support Worker, Day
Location: Durham
Salary: £26,436 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 4 October 2026

Please note that access to transport is essential due to the location of the projects and limited public transport links.

About the Role

At Depaul UK, we believe in people’s potential and take action every day to help unlock it. As a Young People Support Worker, you will support residents living in supported accommodation to develop essential life skills, strengthen their resilience and move towards greater independence.

Using an assets-based and psychologically informed approach, you will build positive relationships with young people and provide personalised support based on their individual strengths, needs and ambitions.

Key responsibilities include:

· Creating and reviewing SMART support plans with residents

· Completing risk and needs assessments

· Supporting young people to access education, training, employment and volunteering

· Promoting physical health, emotional wellbeing and independent living skills

· Helping new residents settle safely into the service

· Responding appropriately to incidents and safeguarding concerns

· Working with colleagues, external agencies and community partners

· Maintaining accurate records and contributing to a safe, welcoming service

About You

You may already have experience within supported housing, homelessness, social care, youth work or another support environment. More importantly, you will bring empathy, resilience and a genuine belief in the strengths and potential of young people.

You will be able to communicate clearly, maintain appropriate professional boundaries and remain calm when faced with challenging situations. You will also be organised, proactive and confident working both independently and as part of a team.

About Depaul UK

Depaul UK works to end homelessness and change the lives of people affected by it. Established in 1989 in response to rising youth homelessness, the charity now provides accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK each year.

Depaul UK offers tailored training and development, 26 days’ annual leave rising with service, a pension with employer contributions of up to 7%, a cash health plan, 24/7 GP access, an Employee Assistance Programme and a range of retail, travel, food and fitness discounts.

Depaul UK is committed to safer, fair and inclusive recruitment. Where required, the successful candidate will be subject to an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service check.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Support Worker, Youth Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Supported Housing Worker, Project Worker, Key Worker, Residential Support Worker or Young Person’s Support Worker.

The Youth Worker (Mentoring) will support Inspiring Inclusion’s Our Schools, Our Change programme by providing trauma‑informed, one‑to‑one support to Black and racially minoritised young people with adverse childhood experiences. Working closely with Camden schools and community partners, they will build trusting relationships that help young people feel seen, heard, and empowered while wider systems change progresses. They will use holistic, strengths‑based, participatory approaches, contribute to a test‑and‑learn model, and bring strong reflective and organisational skills. Personal experience of racial profiling in state education is essential, enabling deep empathy and authenticity. The postholder will be a collaborative practitioner committed to equity, inclusion, and ensuring young people have real influence over decisions shaping their education and futures.

Young People Support Worker

We are seeking a resilient and compassionate Support Worker to help young people overcome homelessness and move towards brighter, independent futures.

Salary: £26,436 per annum
Location: South Tyneside
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent, full time
Closing date: 27 September 2026

About the role

No two days will be the same in this rewarding role. As a Young People Support Worker, you will help young people experiencing homelessness or housing instability to build their confidence, develop practical skills and achieve greater independence.

You will manage a caseload of young people who need homelessness prevention or pre-tenancy support, developing personalised plans that help them secure accommodation and improve their wellbeing. By building trusting relationships and taking a creative approach to engagement, you will help each young person identify their strengths, overcome barriers and work towards their goals.

Your key responsibilities will include:

· Managing a caseload and delivering tailored, outcome-focused support

· Completing risk assessments and developing effective support plans

· Providing homelessness prevention and pre-tenancy support

· Delivering drop-in and planned sessions at the community hub and other local venues

· Supporting young people to access education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities

· Working with statutory services and partner agencies to provide coordinated support

· Maintaining safeguarding, professional boundaries and accurate records

· Completing health and safety checks and reporting concerns

· Supporting and supervising volunteers who contribute to the service

The role will involve lone working and responding calmly and professionally to challenging situations.

About you

You will be passionate about helping young people create positive change and able to build effective relationships with individuals who may be facing significant challenges.

You will bring:

· Experience of completing risk assessments and support plans

· A clear understanding of safeguarding requirements and procedures

· The ability to engage young people creatively and sustain positive working relationships

· Confidence working independently and managing challenging situations

· Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills

· Strong professional boundaries and personal integrity

· An effective and collaborative approach to partnership working

· A flexible and responsive approach to meeting the needs of the service

· A commitment to equality, diversity, dignity and respect

About Depaul UK

Depaul UK exists to end homelessness and change the lives of people affected by it. Since 1989, the charity has provided accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK.

Joining Depaul UK means becoming part of an inclusive organisation where every achievement matters. You will receive tailored training and development, 26 days’ annual leave rising with service, family-friendly policies, a pension with employer contributions of up to 7%, an Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access, a cash health plan and a range of retail and lifestyle discounts.

Depaul UK welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds and is committed to fair, inclusive and safer recruitment. An appropriate DBS check will be undertaken where required.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Youth Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Key Worker, Project Worker, Tenancy Support Worker, Community Support Worker or Young Person’s Support Worker.

Please note this role is advertised by NFP People, the recruitment agency acting on behalf of Depaul UK.

Accountable to: Support Team Manager

Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (including evening and weekend hours on a rota)

Contract type: Permanent

Salary: £26,750

Location: Loughborough, England (Travel required to all Baca Services locations)

Start date: September 2026

Help Change Young Lives

At Baca, we support young people who have fled war, persecution, and trafficking, providing safe housing, education, and therapeutic care to help them rebuild their lives.

As a Support Worker, you will be a key worker for several young people in Baca's care, providing high-quality holistic and therapeutic support for their transition to adulthood. You will deliver services in line with Baca’s Theory of Change, ensuring the highest quality outcomes in physical and emotional wellbeing, education, employment, training, social engagement, and personal safety.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support young people using trauma-informed approaches (including PACE and recovery models)

• Promote safety and safeguard young people from exploitation and harm

• Support emotional wellbeing, independence, and life skills development

• Encourage engagement in education, training, and community activities

• Maintain accurate and compliant records

• Work closely with social workers, schools, and partner agencies

• Contribute to a reflective, learning-focused team culture

• Be a role model, offering care and compassion without discrimination.

• Plan and participate in day trips and annual residential weeks.

About you:

• Alignment with Baca’s values and mission.

• Ability to respond to change and work as part of a diverse team.

• Self-motivated, proactive, and able to take initiative.

• Knowledge of safeguarding practices and issues faced by unaccompanied asylum-seeking young people.

• Relevant training or willingness to complete essential training within the first year.

• Experience working with young people, especially in cross-cultural settings.

• Excellent communication, organisational, and ICT skills.

• Driving licence and access to a car.

• Enhanced DBS check required.

You will be:

• Approachable, reliable, and a strong team worker.

• Supportive, responsible, and personable.

• Flexible and able to work occasional evenings and weekends.

What We Offer

• The chance to make a meaningful difference

• A supportive, values-driven team

• 33 days’ holiday (pro rata), pension, wellbeing support, and more

How to Apply

If you are passionate about creating lasting change for young people and have the skills needed, we would love to hear from you.

Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK. You must also be able to legally drive in the UK for this role.

Successful candidates will be asked to apply for an Enhanced DBS Certificate including a check of the children’s barred list.

Night Young People Support Worker

We are seeking a calm and compassionate Night Support Worker to keep young people safe and supported within accommodation services in Durham.

Position: Night Young People Support Worker
Location: Durham
Salary: £26,436 per annum
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent
Closing Date: 4 October 2026

Please note that access to transport is essential due to the location of the projects and limited public transport links.

About the Role

At Depaul UK, we believe in people’s potential and take action every day to help unlock it. As a Night Young People Support Worker, you will help ensure residents within our supported accommodation remain safe, secure and well supported throughout the night.

You will respond to incidents, manage safeguarding concerns and provide practical and emotional support when residents need it. You will also help new residents settle into the service, maintain accurate records and complete essential health and safety tasks.

Working as part of a close and supportive team, your responsibilities will include:

· Maintaining a safe, secure and welcoming environment overnight

· Responding calmly and appropriately to incidents and emergencies

· Safeguarding vulnerable young people and escalating concerns

· Offering reassurance and support to residents experiencing difficulties

· Helping new residents settle into the service

· Conducting appropriate building, welfare and safety checks

· Maintaining clear and accurate records

· Communicating effectively with day staff, colleagues and external agencies

· Supporting residents to develop resilience and move towards independence

About You

You may have experience within supported housing, homelessness, social care, youth work, security or another care and support environment.

You will be calm, resilient and confident working overnight, including responding to challenging or unexpected situations. You will communicate clearly, maintain professional boundaries and treat every resident with dignity and respect.

You will also be organised, dependable and able to work independently while contributing positively to a close-knit team.

About the organisation

You will be joining an established national charity providing accommodation, prevention and support services to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.

The organisation is committed to ensuring the people it supports have a meaningful voice in how services are designed, delivered and improved.

Benefits include 26 days' annual leave, increasing with service, pension contributions of up to 7%, tailored training and development, flexible working options where suitable, a cash health plan, Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access and a range of retail, travel and wellbeing discounts.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Night Support Worker, Waking Night Support Worker, Youth Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Supported Housing Worker, Residential Support Worker, Project Worker or Night Concierge.

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

Young People Support Worker

We are seeking a compassionate Young People Support Worker to help young people build the confidence and skills needed for independent living.

Salary: £11,734.40 per annum (FTE £29,336 per annum)
Location: Hanley Gardens, Islington
Hours: 15 hours per week, Saturday and Sunday
Contract: Permanent, part time
Closing date: 27 September 2026

About the role

Join a close-knit and supportive team working tirelessly to ensure some of the borough’s most vulnerable young people receive the care and support they need.

As Young People Support Worker, you will support young people aged 18 to 25 living within a six-bed, low-support accommodation service. Working every Saturday and Sunday, you will help residents develop their confidence, resilience and independent living skills.

Your key responsibilities will include:

· Managing a caseload and acting as the named key worker for individual residents

· Completing risk and needs assessments and developing SMART, outcome-focused support plans

· Delivering one-to-one and group support within the accommodation and local community

· Supporting residents to access education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities

· Helping residents maximise their benefit entitlement, including Housing Benefit and Universal Credit claims

· Working with statutory services and other agencies to provide joined-up support

· Welcoming new residents and helping them settle into the service

· Maintaining a safe environment through safeguarding, health and safety checks and appropriate reporting

· Encouraging residents to influence decisions about their support and participate in wider activities

The role involves two 7.5-hour shifts each weekend, with working hours arranged flexibly between 8am and 6pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

About you

You will have experience of supporting young people or another relevant client group and understand the challenges associated with homelessness, poor mental health and substance use.

You will also bring:

· Knowledge of safeguarding, risk assessment and support planning

· An understanding of strengths-based or assets-based support

· Strong professional boundaries and personal integrity

· Good literacy, numeracy and IT skills

· The ability to work collaboratively with colleagues and external agencies

· A commitment to equality, diversity, dignity and respect

· A reflective and adaptable approach to your own learning and practice

About Depaul UK

Depaul UK exists to end homelessness and change the lives of people affected by it. Since 1989, the charity has provided accommodation, prevention and support services to thousands of marginalised young people across the UK.

You will receive tailored training and development, 26 days’ annual leave rising with service, a pension with employer contributions of up to 7%, an Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 GP access, a cash health plan, retail and lifestyle discounts and a death-in-service benefit.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Support Worker, Youth Support Worker, Homelessness Support Worker, Housing Support Worker, Key Worker, Project Worker, Residential Support Worker or Young Person’s Support Worker.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, NFP People.

We are looking for an exceptional, highly motivated and dedicated individual to join our team as a full-time Youth Worker (Youth Voice), supporting our mission to enable young people who are homeless, facing homelessness or unsafe to achieve independence and positive futures.

The successful candidate will work within the Youth Work Team to deliver our frontline drop-in service and support our weekly and monthly activities to all young people experiencing homelessness.

You’ll specialise in youth participation, ensuring that a diverse range of young people’s voices are heard. You’ll also facilitate and lead on supporting our Youth Advisory Board and work alongside them to cultivate inclusive activities which increase youth participation across all our services. We have an ambitious plan to improve and accelerate our youth voice strategy and this role will be at the heart of this delivery.

You should be experienced in designing, planning and facilitating a range of activities and group work with and for young people and be able to work dynamically in a fast-paced day centre environment. We are looking for candidates who are passionate about youth engagement and skilled in bringing out the ideas, voices and opinions of young people to shape service delivery. We are particularly keen to hear from candidates with a background in running participatory youth projects, co-production, youth engagement sessions and/or community engagement.

The ideal candidate is a team player who enjoys working collaboratively across our organisation. This role also includes working closely with our Campaigns, Impact and Policy team to ensure young people’s voices are at the heart of our external campaigning work.

Finally, you will also be committed to the safeguarding of young people and delivering an inclusive and trauma-informed service.

This role will be based at our day centre in Camden, with some travel to other New Horizon projects within London.

Closing date for applications: Monday 21st September

Interviews: Thursday 1st October

Please note interview dates are fixed and will not be changed. Please ensure you are available on these days when applying for this role.

At One YMCA, we work alongside young people to help them develop confidence, skills, resilience, and positive futures. We are looking for an inspiring, experienced and motivated Youth Work Manager to lead and develop our local youth work provision, ensuring that high-quality, impactful services reach young people across our communities.

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in delivering our Youth Work Strategy, managing a dedicated team, driving quality and developing services that make a real difference in the lives of young people.

About the role:

Reporting to the Head of Youth Work, you will take operational responsibility for the delivery, development, monitoring, and quality assurance of our youth work services. You will lead and support Youth Work Coordinators and wider youth work staff, ensuring services are safe, effective, youth-centred, and aligned with One YMCA's strategic priorities.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading the development and delivery of youth work programmes, specialist support services, mentoring initiatives, life skills courses, and large-scale youth events.
• Managing and supporting staff through recruitment, induction, supervision, training, and performance development.
• Monitoring contract performance, outcomes, impact data, and key performance indicators to demonstrate the difference our services make.
• Building strong relationships with schools, local authorities, partner agencies, and community stakeholders.
• Leading quality assurance, compliance, safeguarding, and continuous improvement across the service.
• Acting as Designated Safeguarding Lead and participating in the safeguarding on-call rota.
• Working with young people and teams to ensure youth voice is at the heart of everything we do.

We're looking for someone who combines strong operational leadership, experience in managing contractual compliance, with a genuine commitment to young people.

You will bring:

• Significant experience delivering and managing youth work programmes, projects, or contracts.
• A strong understanding of issues affecting young people's lives and a passion for helping them achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience leading, motivating, and developing staff teams.
• Excellent communication, relationship-building, and partnership-working skills.
• The ability to analyse data, monitor impact, and use insight to improve services.
• A youth work or related community-focused qualification at degree level, or significant equivalent experience.
• A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work purposes.

Location: Home-based role but with regular travel to YMCA youth work delivery sites across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, as well as to support the broader youth work within One YMCA. 

Driving licence and access to a car is essential for this role.

If you are an experienced youth work leader ready for your next challenge, we would love to hear from you! 

Important: Please include a supporting statement with your application/CV.

We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence.

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

At One YMCA we are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage/Civil Partnership, Pregnancy/Maternity, Race, Religion/Belief, Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities.

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week, generally Monday to Friday but with flexibility of working pattern to support both the ideal candidate and business need. Some evening work expected, and occasional weekend, overnight stays or residential work.

SEND Experienced Creative Youth Support Worker

Location: Gorse Hill Studios, Stretford, Manchester, with occasional trips, outreach work and residentials
Contract: Sessional / Freelance
Hours: Evenings, weekends and school holidays as required
Responsible to: Head of Inclusion and Participation 

Purpose of the Role

To support the delivery of high-quality, inclusive and creative youth work sessions for children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The postholder will create safe, engaging and accessible opportunities that help young people build confidence, develop social and life skills, improve wellbeing, and achieve their personal goals through arts, creative activities, youth work, sports and community-based experiences.

Key Responsibilities

Supporting Young People

• Build positive, trusted relationships with children and young people with a range of SEND needs.
• Provide practical, emotional and behavioural support during sessions.
• Promote independence whilst ensuring young people remain safe and supported.
• Adapt activities, communication methods and approaches to meet individual needs.
• Support young people to participate fully and confidently in activities and discussions.
• Encourage the development of social skills, friendships, self-esteem and resilience. 

Session Delivery

• Support the planning and delivery of creative, recreational and youth work activities.
• Contribute ideas for arts, music, drama, film, sports, nature-based and wellbeing sessions.
• Assist with setting up and clearing away resources and equipment.
• Ensure sessions are engaging, inclusive and responsive to young people's interests.
• Contribute to showcases, performances, exhibitions and celebration events.

Safeguarding and Welfare

• Maintain professional boundaries at all times.
• Follow all safeguarding, health and safety, data protection and organisational policies.
• Report safeguarding concerns and incidents immediately through agreed procedures.
• Ensure young people are appropriately supervised throughout sessions.
• Support positive behaviour using trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches. 

Administration and Teamwork

• Arrive in good time for briefings, set-up and preparation.
• Complete registers, session records and outcome monitoring following each session.
• Contribute to debriefs and share relevant information with colleagues.
• Attend staff meetings, supervision sessions and required training.
• Work collaboratively with staff, freelancers, volunteers, parents and carers. 

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience working with children and young people with SEND.
• Understanding of autism, neurodiversity and inclusive practice.
• Experience supporting group activities, youth work, education or community projects.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
• Ability to remain calm, patient and adaptable.
• Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends and school holidays.
• Enhanced DBS check (or willingness to obtain one)

Desirable

• Qualification in Youth Work, Education, SEND, Health & Social Care, Creative Arts or a related field.
• Creative skills in areas such as art, music, drama, film, photography, dance, crafts or digital media.
• First Aid qualification.
• Experience of trauma-informed practice.
• Experience supporting young people with complex needs or behaviours of concern.
• Knowledge of person-centred planning and outcome-based youth work. 

Values and Behaviours

We are looking for someone who:

• Is passionate about inclusion and youth participation.
• Believes every young person has strengths, talents and potential.
• Is enthusiastic, reliable and proactive.
• Works positively as part of a team.
• Can think creatively and adapt activities to suit different needs.
• Creates welcoming, safe and fun environments where young people can thrive. 

Typical Activities

The role may involve supporting:

• SEND Short Breaks sessions.
• Arts, music and creative workshops.
• Youth clubs and social groups.
• Community events and festivals.
• Nature-based, wellbeing and outdoor learning activities.
• Trips, visits and residential experiences

Our Commitment to Diversity

We actively encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, particularly those who bring lived experience, perspectives and voices. We celebrate the richness of our differences, including social class, ethnicity, disability, gender, sexual orientation, faith and age. We are committed to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Active Essex Foundation is a successful and growing charity dedicated to creating the conditions for young people and communities across Essex to thrive. Our work focuses on three core areas: improving young people’s mental health, reducing vulnerabilities to youth crime and exploitation, and strengthening communities through trusted relationships and positive engagement.

A defining feature of our approach is our network of more than 100 Locally Trusted Organisations (LTOs) across Essex. These community-based organisations are at the heart of our delivery model, providing trusted relationships, local insight and direct support within the communities they serve. Working closely with our LTO network enables us to reach those who may be least likely to engage with traditional services and ensure support is tailored to local needs.

Through partnerships with our LTOs, we deliver programmes that use physical activity, mentoring and community support to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities. This role will play a key part in developing and strengthening these relationships, helping our LTO network to maximise its impact and deliver positive outcomes for young people and communities across Essex.

Everything we do is shaped by the real experiences of the people we serve, ensuring our interventions are meaningful, accessible and rooted in what communities tell us they need.

Active Essex Foundation works to improve life chances for young people and communities across Essex by focusing on three core areas: mental health, youth crime prevention, and strengthening communities. Through our programme structure, we co-design community-led initiatives that use physical activity and positive engagement as tools to build resilience, improve wellbeing and reduce inequalities.

The Sport for Development Officer will play a key role in supporting the delivery and growth of these programmes. Working closely with our programme leads, locally trusted organisations (LTOs), and community stakeholders, the postholder will help strengthen organisational capability, and ensure high-quality delivery across our mental health, youth crime prevention and community strengthening work. The role will also contribute to the leadership of workstreams aligned with our strategic Outcomes, supporting the Foundation’s mission.

The ideal candidate will bring strong relationship-building skills and experience of working collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders. They should demonstrate a track record of delivering impactful projects or initiatives at local or county level, applying a systems approach to complex community issues, and using strengths-based methods to build resilience and capacity within local organisations.

The post holder will work with AEF staff across the business to deliver the duties and responsibilities set out below.