Youth engagement worker jobs

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

Overall Purpose of the Role

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

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

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

About the Projects

Girls Project (Wednesday and Thursday)

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

Youth Advisory Board (YAB) (Friday)

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

Our Vacancy

Senior Support Worker – Young People’s Supported Housing
Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of vulnerable young people?

We’re looking for a proactive, inspiring Senior Support Worker to lead and support a team of Housing Support Workers at an Ofsted-registered scheme in Berkhamsted. These services provide accommodation and trauma-informed support to young people aged 16–25 with complex needs, helping them build independence and move towards long-term housing.

About the role:
In this role, you’ll lead by example - supporting and motivating your team to deliver high-quality, person-centred care. You’ll ensure safeguarding and risk management are prioritised, oversee personalised support plans, and promote a culture of trust and emotional safety. You’ll also facilitate one-to-ones, team meetings, and training sessions, while working closely with partner agencies to ensure the best outcomes for young people.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading and supporting a team working across 7-day shifts, including weekends.
• Ensuring trauma-informed, person-centred support plans are in place and regularly reviewed.
• Responding promptly to safeguarding concerns and liaising with external agencies.
• Supporting young people to develop life skills and prepare for independent living.
• Promoting a positive, collaborative team culture.

About you:

• Experience working with vulnerable teenagers/ young adults aged 16–25.
• Proven ability to lead or supervise a team in a 24/7 support environment.
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and trauma-informed care.
• A Level 3 qualification in social care, youth work, or housing (or willingness to work towards it).
• Excellent communication, empathy, and resilience.

Why Join Us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values – Be Kind, Do The Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

We offer:

• 25 days’ annual leave. 
• Flexible benefits package – including healthcare, dental, and lifestyle discounts.
• 4x life assurance and up to 10% pension contribution. 
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships. 
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying:
We are unable to provide visa sponsorship, so you must have the right to work in the UK.

As part of your application, we’ll ask you to answer a few questions to help us understand your suitability for the role, including one focused on our values.

The successful applicant for this position will have to take part in an on-call rota. 

Closing date 17 February 2026  

Interviews will be held in person, on-site on 02/03/26 and 03/03/26.

If this sounds like the right role for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, we’d like to hear from you. 

Please apply now by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Overall Purpose of the Role

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

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

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

Following a successful application to the Henry Smith Foundation we are seeking a passionate, committed and flexible Support Worker (35 hours per week) to join our team to support young people and families, primarily focusing on LGBTQ+ young people but working with the wider team to ensure all young people and families are supported.

The main aims of the post are to ensure:

• The charity delivers quality information, advice, guidance and advocacy services which improve outcomes for LGBTQ+ young people in Calderdale & Kirklees.
• LGBTQ+ young people who face additional access barriers are reached and given the opportunity to engage with the service, reducing their isolation and loneliness.
• LGBTQ+ young people have emotionally healthy relationships with their family, friends and intimate partners.

The above would be achieved through group work, youth groups, parent and family groups, 121 work, attending professional meetings such as Team Around The Family and Child In Need meetings, mediating between families and schools, networking, stand events such as Pride’s and Freshers events, offsite activities and family support sessions.

This is a service user and public facing role. The successful candidate will be expected to attend sessions, meetings and events across in Calderdale & Kirklees

The right candidate will have:

• JNC Level 3 Youth and Community Work qualification or a willingness to undertake training. We welcome applicants with equivalent qualifications and experience in relevant sectors inclusive of child care, teaching, social work, nursing etc (or due to complete 2026 - 2027).

• A minimum 12-months experience of working with children, young people aged 25 and under and/or families
• An ability to assess needs and involve young people in identifying appropriate self-action plans
• Knowledge and understanding of the impact of Homophobia, Biphobia and transphobia on LGBTQ+ young people
• A flexible approach to work and willingness to work some evenings and weekends
• A full clean driving license and access to a car

What you'd get from us:

• Training and development opportunities
• A generous annual leave entitlement, 31 day per year plus bank holidays
• 6% pension contribution
• Life Assurance at three-times salary rate
• An employee health plan, helping with the costs of dental, optical treatments etc
• Access to staff counselling
• Perkbox Employee Benefits - 1000+ deals and discounts
• Travel expenses
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Earn between £26,510.82 – 27,836.36
• Pay award pending

Why you'd work for us:

• So you can use your skills and passion to influence change and improve outcomes for some of the most stigmatised and marginalised people in Calderdale & Kirklees
• Gain experience, build your transferable skills and learn new ones
• Be part of an amazing, committed team challenging stigma, bias, and inequalities

Our Vacancy

Join Us as a Housing Support Worker – Make a Real Difference in Young Lives.

At Peabody, we’re passionate about creating opportunities for young people to thrive. We’re looking for a Housing Support Worker who is kind, proactive, and ready to support young people aged 16–25, including care leavers, on their journey to independence.This is not a care role. It’s a practical and emotional support position, helping young people build life skills, access housing, and feel empowered to shape their future.

What You’ll Be Doing
In this role, you’ll support young people to develop the skills they need for independent living, including navigating housing options, managing benefits, and budgeting. You’ll help create a safe, non-judgmental environment where they feel empowered and respected. By bringing your own passions, whether in music, art, sports, or other interests, you’ll enrich the community and build meaningful connections. You’ll also work closely with colleagues and external partners to ensure each young person receives the right support at the right time.

We’re looking for someone who:

• Connects easily with young people, especially those who’ve faced trauma, mental health challenges, or substance misuse.
• Is creative and confident in engaging young people, whether through music, sports, art, or other interests.
• Can work independently and as part of a team, managing a caseload and supporting residents with budgeting, benefits, and housing options.
• Has strong communication and IT skills, and ideally some knowledge of safeguarding, support plans, or key working.
• Brings transferable experience from youth work, education, housing, or similar sectors.

Why join us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. 

We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What You’ll Get

• Up to 25 days’ annual leave.
• Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and discounts.
• 4x Life Assurance and up to 10% pension contribution.
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships.
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying:
This is a full-time, onsite role, and you’ll need to be available to work five days a week, including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts may include early mornings and evenings, so flexibility is key.

We’ll be reviewing applications and holding interviews on a rolling weekly basis, so please keep an eye on your inbox and phone - our team will be in touch to get you booked in!

If this sounds like the right fit for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, apply today by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Please note: Peabody is not a licensed UK sponsor, so we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.

If this sounds like we are right for you and you’d love to be part of Peabody, we’d like to hear from you. 

Please apply now by submitting an anonymised CV and a short statement explaining why you’re the perfect fit for this role.

Closing date 20 February 2026  

Our Vacancy

As a Support Worker for the Young People’s Services at Peabody, you will play a vital role in helping young people live independently and thrive within their communities. This is a meaningful and rewarding position where you will support individuals who may be socially excluded, disabled, unwell, young mothers or homeless. Your work will directly contribute to their wellbeing, independence, and inclusion, ensuring they are empowered to lead fulfilling lives. You will be part of a team that values human rights, dignity, and respect, and you’ll be instrumental in helping young people overcome challenges and achieve their goals.

What you'll do
In this role, you will provide high-quality, person-centred support to young people in supported housing. Your day-to-day responsibilities will include conducting needs and risk assessments, developing and reviewing support plans, and offering practical assistance with daily living skills such as cooking, cleaning, shopping, and managing finances. You will work closely with each individual to help them build confidence, develop life skills, and work towards their personal goals. You’ll also support them in accessing community resources, sustaining their housing, and exploring future housing options. Your role will involve liaising with external agencies, attending team meetings and training, and ensuring accurate record-keeping. You’ll be a key part of a collaborative team, committed to safeguarding, promoting equality, and delivering excellent service in line with Peabody’s values and policies.

What you'll need

• Experience supporting vulnerable people in the community or a supported living environment, either professionally or through volunteering. 
• Strong communication skills and the ability to build positive relationships with young people and external partners
• A compassionate, empathetic approach with a genuine desire to make a difference in people’s lives
• Confidence to work independently (including lone working) and collaboratively as part of a team
• Good IT literacy, including the use of Microsoft Office and data entry system.
• A driving licence and your own vehicle, as this role will involve some travelling between schemes. 

Why join us?
When you join Peabody, you’re joining a team guided by our values, Be Kind, Do the Right Thing, Love New Ideas, Celebrate Diversity, Keep Our Promises, and Pull Together. We believe in creating a workplace where everyone feels supported, included, and empowered.

What You’ll Get

• 25 days’ annual leave 
• Flexible benefits including healthcare, dental, and discounts.
• 4x Life Assurance and up to 10% pension contribution.
• Professional development, including funded apprenticeships.
• Two paid volunteering days each year.
• Family-friendly policies and a supportive team culture.

Please read before applying
This is a full-time, onsite role, and you’ll need to be available to work five days a week, including weekends and bank holidays. Shifts may include early mornings and evenings, so flexibility is key.

We’re reviewing applications as they come in, so you might hear from us before the closing date, keep an eye on your inbox and your phone! 

Important Information 

This role requires an enhanced DBS check.

The successful candidate will have a full and clean driving licence as well as their own vehicle as the role does involve working across two services, which will require driving.

Please read before applying:
Closing date 23 February 2026  
The Interviews for this role will take place on 02/03/26 and 04/03/26, in person in Hitchin. 

Please note: Peabody is not a licensed UK sponsor, so we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Colleagues who are at risk of redundancy need to state this on their application as they will be given priority consideration above other applicants.

Please note, if you are currently on legacy Aldwyck or legacy Catalyst Terms & Conditions, and are successful in your application, you will automatically be transferred to the new Peabody Terms & Conditions. 

Additionally, if you move to a Peabody role on a secondment basis, your Terms & Conditions will not change.

We are recruiting a Head of Income and Engagement to provide strategic leadership and vision for two critical functions—Fundraising and Marketing & Communications—bringing them together into a unified, high-performing team. This role focuses on shaping strategy, building external relationships, and driving organisational growth through income generation and brand engagement, rather than day-to-day operational management.

You will set the direction for attracting significant funding, particularly through corporate partnerships, while strengthening what PAPYRUS already does well:

• Securing grants and trusts funding
• Harnessing the passion of our large, committed supporter base - including bereaved families and others who raise voluntary income for us

In a challenging financial climate, you will lead efforts to grow these income streams and maintain a strong, values-driven presence across press, social media, and broadcast channels. The role requires influence, innovation, and the ability to inspire all managers and staff, as well as external stakeholders.

Please visit the careers site for the full job description and person specification for the role.

Salary: £58,523 per annum (Scale SCP 46) progressing by increments to £62,852 per annum (Scale SCP 49)

Hours: 36 hours per week Location: Remote with regular travel across the UK

Contract: Permanent 

Benefits: You will receive 28 days annual leave plus Bank Holidays (pro rata for part time workers), hybrid and flexible working arrangements, an attractive pension scheme, Simply Health membership, enhanced sick pay and enhanced parental pay. Please visit our website for more details.

Closing date: midnight on 22nd February 2026

We reserve the right to close the vacancy earlier if we receive sufficient applications so, please submit your application as soon as possible.

PAPYRUS is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in employment, and its recruitment policies are designed to ensure that no job applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment on the grounds of age, disability, gender re-assignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

PAPYRUS is committed to safeguarding all children, young people and adults at risk that interact with the organisation. The organisation recognises its responsibility to safeguard the welfare of these vulnerable groups by a commitment to procedures to protect them. The charity expects all staff and volunteers to fully support and promote these commitments.

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

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

Our Mission 

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

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

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES 

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

Please see attached JD for full job description 

Exciting Job opportunity: we are looking for a Participation Worker

Are you looking for a role where you can work directly with young people, make a real difference in their lives, and support them to have their voices heard at local, regional, and national levels? If so, this could be the job for you.

The National House Project (NHP) works with care-experienced young people, encouraging them to take ownership of their futures and supporting them to live connected, fulfilling lives. The approach was co-designed with young people from the outset and is centred around a group work approach. It supports young people to move into properties that become their homes, while also building strong and supportive friendship networks.

NHP supports Local Authorities to establish Local House Projects (LHPs) and to place young people at the centre of decision-making. Once an LHP is established, NHP supports staff to work with young people in inclusive ways, encouraging them to develop solutions to the challenges they face. LHPs enable young people to leave care in a planned and supported way, improve outcomes, and help staff develop relationship-based and psychologically informed ways of working.

To ensure young people are involved at every level of the organisation, each LHP elects two young people to represent them in the Care Leavers National Movement (CLNM). This forum provides a platform to hear, amplify, and act on young people’s voices. Members contribute not only to the development of their own LHP, but also to practice and policy at a national level. CLNM meets regularly, undertakes peer evaluations, hosts and delivers an annual national conference, and provides “expert user” consultancy. Members of this group also sit on the Board of Trustees as expert advisors.

We are looking for someone who is motivated, experienced in working with young people, and excited about supporting them to have their voices heard and acted upon.

Many people enter youth work or social work wanting to make a difference, but find that large organisational systems can limit their impact. At NHP, you will be able to use your energy and enthusiasm creatively, enabling young people to use their care experience to positively influence the systems that support them. You will work with CLNM and the core NHP team to ensure young people continue to drive our work at both local and national levels.

You will need a professional or academic qualification in a related field (e.g. Youth Work, Social Work, Education, or Health). Current registration with a professional body is desirable. We actively encourage applications from care-experienced individuals and will guarantee an interview where the essential criteria are met.

The NHP office is based in Crewe. We support hybrid working and currently spend a minimum of two days per week in the office. This Participation Worker role will support LHPs in the West Midlands. You will be expected to travel regularly to LHPs and attend meetings across the country. Some planned weekend work will be required throughout the year.

Benefits: 31 Days Annual Leave plus bank holidays, 10% Contribution to Pension, Salary Sacrifice Option, Hybrid working, Professional Development

Find out more

If you’re excited by the opportunity to be a part of something transformative, we’d love to hear from you.

ℹ️ You are invited to join the Participation Worker online briefing.

When: Thursday 12th February 1:00 – 2:00pm

Please register in advance for this meeting: 

https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/YBymZxICRxq5QM9QqzLQcA#/registration

After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

How to Apply

• Submit your CV and Cover letter via Charity Job detailing what skills, knowledge and experiences make you the best candidate for the role by Sunday 22nd February 2026. Apply now.
• We welcome applications from all backgrounds. If you require adjustments during the process, let us know.
• Interviews are due to take place in person on 2nd and 3rd March 2026 at the NHP Office in Crewe.

Safeguarding Statement
NHP is committed to protecting the well-being of young people. All staff must adhere to our safeguarding policies.

Recruitment Agencies: We do not accept unsolicited CVs from agencies.

General Requirements: Right to work in the UK, two professional references, and a DBS check.

Location: Loughborough, England (Travel required to all Baca Services locations)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £24,754 - £28,454 per annum FTE
Working Hours: 37.5 hrs per week (including evening and weekend hours on a rota)
Start Date: February 2026

About Us
Baca is dedicated to providing support and care to 16 to 18 year old unaccompanied asylum seeking children who are newly arrived in the country, helping them rebuild their strength, dignity, and hope for the future. We work closely with social workers and representatives from other agencies to benefit the young people in our care.

Role Overview
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

• Provide high-quality support and care to young people, ensuring their holistic development.
• Work proactively to safeguard young people and resolve any issues that arise.
• Be a role model, offering care and compassion without discrimination.
• Support young people in developing essential life skills and preparing for independent living.
• Engage young people in education, vocational training, and hobbies.
• Foster positive relationships within the community and support social engagement.
• Plan and participate in day trips and annual residential weeks.
• Develop partnerships with social workers, solicitors, teachers, volunteers, and other partners.
• Maintain excellent communication and keep accurate records.

Requirements

• 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, organizational, and ICT skills.
• Driving licence and access to a car.
• Enhanced DBS check required.

Personal Attributes

• Approachable, reliable, and a strong team worker.
• Supportive, responsible, and personable.
• Flexible and able to work occasional evenings and weekends.

Holidays And Benefits

• 33 days’ holiday a year (pro rata for part-time staff) including bank holidays.
• Pension scheme
• Health & Wellbeing programme
• Free parking
• Casual dress

How To Apply
If you are passionate about making a difference in the lives of young asylum seekers and have the skills and attributes we are looking for, we would love to hear from you.
Please note: You must have the right to work in the UK for this role as Baca is not on the Home Office list.

Youth Financial Education Development Lead

Are you passionate about helping young people understand money in helping young people explore how money works and what matters to them? The Just Finance Foundation (JFF) is looking for a Youth Financial Education Development Lead to lead the creation of a core youth financial education offer for 14–18-year-olds. You will design, pilot and refine a train-the-trainer approach that empowers youth workers to deliver learning that is engaging, relevant, and rooted in real life.

You’ll work closely with teams across JFF including Financial Education, Impact & Insights, Communications and Fundraising to develop a programme that is robust, consistent, and adaptable for different audiences, locations, delivery settings and funder requirements. This is a leadership-focused role: you will own the project, guide its development, and shape its impact.

What this role is — and is not

This role is:

• A project leadership role with clear ownership and accountability

• Focused on learning, testing and development

• Centred on internal collaboration across teams

• Engaging, interactive and grounded in real life

This role is not:

• A role focused mainly on direct delivery

• A high-volume external partnership role

• A one-off workshop facilitation role

• A people-management position

Who we’re looking for

• Experienced in youth, education, community or related settings

• Comfortable leading a design project and working collaboratively across teams

• Skilled in designing or supporting learning or training for adults

• Confident facilitating and reflecting on practice, using evidence to adapt approaches

• Organised, proactive and able to work independently

• Eligible for an enhanced DBS

Desirable experience: financial education, financial capability, youth work, and contributing insight to evaluation or funding proposals.

Why JFF?

At JFF, we are committed to making financial education an everyday part of growing up. We value curiosity, collaboration and practical innovation. If you’re excited to lead a project that could shape how young people learn about money across the UK, we’d love to hear from you.

To apply:

Apply today with your CV and a short covering note outlining your experience in youth programme development and community engagement, and how you would approach designing a train-the-trainer programme for young people.

Closing date: no later than 9:00am Monday 16th February 2026.

Responsible to: Youth Services Manager

Hours: Full time 37 hours (Job share considered)

Salary: £27,500

Based: Hybrid (Bedford + one day per week in Q:alliance Head Office, Milton Keynes)

Contract: Fixed term for 2 years, with possibility of extension (subject to funding)

Closing Date: 18th February 2026 at 23:59

Interview Date: Tuesday 3rd March

Context

Q:alliance provides support, information, and representation for LGBTQ+ young people in Bedford, drawing on our wider experience delivering established services across Milton Keynes for the last 50 years.

We have detailed knowledge of the issues and challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals and organisations locally, and it is our goal to create more safe spaces and resources to ensure the LGBTQ+ community in Bedford is visible, well represented, and supported.

Scope

This is a newly created role within our Bedford services, delivering Q:alliance’s established youth support model developed in Milton Keynes and shaping pathways and support that respond to local need in Bedford Borough and Central Bedfordshire.

You will manage a one-to-one caseload of support for LGBTQ+ young people, while building relationships with schools and developing a collaborative schools’ network informed by young people’s insights. You will also develop and deliver LGBTQ+ inclusion training for teachers, education staff, and youth workers. This work will contribute to safe, affirming environments that strengthen resilience, wellbeing, and mental health.

You will work closely with the Youth Services Manager and youth teams across our service areas, building on existing Q:alliance provision in Bedford, where a dedicated youth team already leads on LGBTQ+ youth group delivery.

The role includes outreach across Bedfordshire’s urban and rural communities, supporting young people who may experience increased isolation due to limited access to LGBTQ+-affirming spaces.

You will work collaboratively with the Youth Services Manager to agree outreach and engagement targets, contributing to effective monitoring and reporting systems to ensure robust evidence of impact.

What you’ll bring to the team

This role is a key opportunity for Q:alliance to grow our work in Bedford, build local relationships, and better understand and respond to the needs of LGBTQ+ young people across the area. You will play a central role in shaping a new service, reaching young people who may not yet be connected to support, and helping both staff and the board of trustees develop a strong, place-based understanding of LGBTQ+ youth experiences in Bedford.

You will act as a first point of contact for schools, colleges, and youth settings in Bedford, building trusted relationships and establishing a collaborative network of school and college leads. You will share insights gathered through this work with the wider Q:alliance team, helping to strengthen our responses to local need and inform the development and sustainability of services, including future funding.

You will help ensure continuity of support between schools, our support spaces and Q:alliance’s wider youth service provision.

Main Responsibilities

· Networking – Support teachers, education staff and youth workers to access resources, implement inclusive learning environments and provide support for LGBTQ+ young people in their settings. Develop a network of school representatives to provide peer-support on shifting needs, priorities, and situations in a local and national context.

· Data capture and intelligence - Support Q;alliance’s commitment to sustaining a contemporary data and monitoring mechanism, guaranteeing we can deliver thorough evaluations of our services and competent feedback to our funders and stakeholders on the efficacy of our work. Analyse local intelligence directly from LGBTQ+ youth communities and use this to co-produce plans with young people to ensure our youth services are engaging and meeting needs.

· Support, information and empowerment – develop and implement resources for 1:1 education and resilience work with LGBTQ+ young people, provide support and advocacy for young people, ensuring effective signposting to relevant services and collaboration with parents, guardians, teachers and education staff where appropriate.

· Innovation – work with the Youth Services Manager, school representatives and young people to innovate a schools accreditation system that will acknowledge and cultivate schools’ competence to provide safe spaces and support for LGBTQ+ young people.

· Stakeholder and community engagement – Forge and support enduring relationships with key partners, strengthening our commitment to building an alliance of cross-sector compassionate advocates for the LGBTQ+ community in its diverse forms.

· Education – Plan, develop and deliver positive and engaging classroom workshops and school assemblies to a wide range of young people, ensuring key messages are inclusive of diverse perspectives, including those from black and minoritized communities.

· Training - Develop and deliver training for teachers, education staff and youth workers with the aim of improving the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth communities and the capacity of those with the power to assist in this endeavour.

Skills and Experience

Expertise

· Experience working with and supporting young people

· Experience of developing and sustaining a network

· Ability to deliver innovative education and training packages, delivery, and evaluation

· Knowledge of the challenges affecting young LGBTQ+ people

· Knowledge of issues affecting young people’s mental health and the skills required to build resilience

· Excellent planning, organisation and administrative skills

· Expertise in safeguarding young people, ensuring welfare of all by following policy and procedures in relation to recognising, recording, and responding to safeguarding concerns and liaising with the Designated Safeguarding Lead

· Ability to observe strict confidentiality at all times with respect to matters concerning young people and the schools, colleges and youth settings in which you support through your role in the developing network

· Capable to respond to a young person in crisis, signposting to appropriate resources and support.

Communication

· A high standard of written English, including an ability to write thorough reports, make referrals to partner agencies, maintain outreach files, and record minutes of forum meetings

· An engaging and charismatic public speaking style with the ability to adapt delivery style dependent on context and audience

· Ability to adopt a positive constructive language style when talking to young people 1:1

· Confidence to communicate with relatives, guardians, social workers and related professionals or advocates of young people

· Knowledge of social media and a recognition of the role it plays in young people’s lives

Behaviours

· Skills in forming constructive working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels

· Demonstrate an understanding and appreciation of professional boundaries when working with young people and the importance of consistency

· Passionate about equality, the rights of LGBTQ+ people and neurodiversity.

· Evident desire to improve service delivery using co-production initiatives with young people

· An ability to listen with empathy and act compassionately

· Competence to work on own initiative and demonstrate innovation and creative problem solving

· Model conduct essential for successful teams, such as reliability, honesty and courage

Desirable

· Qualifications in youth work, teaching or mental health support

· LGBTQ+ lived experience

Other

· Full driving license and use of own vehicle

· Ability to work flexibly, with occasional evening and weekend working

· Commitment to further personal development and training

· Please note: Enhanced DBS is required for this role

The LGBTQ+ Youth Outreach Practitioner will have responsibility for the following documents.

· Contact Evaluation forms/data capture

· Monthly Outreach Report

· Resource library pertaining to our work with young people

· Network minutes (schools forum)

Apply via our website and complete an application form

We are looking for someone who is all about people, purpose and making things happen.

Do you enjoy big goals, meaningful work and great conversations?

Do you love connecting with people and turning shared values into real action?

Do you want to make a real impact for young people, supporting them to thrive?

At 224 Youth Zone, we’re on a mission to change the future for young people in South Bristol. We need someone to lead the way in building a strong network of supporters who believe in that mission. You’ll quickly learn our story, meet the team, and understand the impact Youth Zones have. Then, you’ll get out there meeting individuals, businesses and community leaders across Bristol and beyond showing them how they can be part of something special. Our Founder Patron campaign is already underway, and you will play a key role in driving it forward in the lead up to our grand opening this year. You’ll build important relationships and secure long term support for 224 Youth Zone. When we open, your focus will shift to keeping those relationships strong, helping first time supporters become lifelong partners through thoughtful and creative engagement. You will also lead the way in growing our wider support base, finding new ways for businesses and individuals to get involved and give back.