Job Role: FUSE STEAM Programme Lead
Accountable to: Head of Young Peoples Services
Location: Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone
Status: Full Time. Daytime delivery (Monday – Friday), with occasional evenings and weekends to support programme events, employer engagement, showcases and organisational requirements.
Contract Type: Full time 37.5 hours (Fixed Term, subject to funding)
Scale: Up to £30,000 (dependent on experience and qualifications)
About Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is a 21st century youth hub located at the heart of Blackburn, open to young people aged 5 to 25 years old, aiming to change the prospects offered to young people in the area. Our vision is to be at the heart of the community, collaborating to create a more cohesive and prosperous Blackburn and Darwen. Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is built on land where, over 100 years ago, Blackburn's first electricity generating station once stood. On the place where electricity first came to and powered the town, the Youth Zone is now powering the community through the energy, creativity and aspirations of young people.
What makes us distinctive is our relationship with the local business community, education providers and strategic partners, who have wholeheartedly embraced our vision to raise aspirations, develop skills and create meaningful pathways into education, employment and training for young people across Blackburn with Darwen.
Following a £3.1 million investment through the Youth Investment Fund, Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone has developed the Fusebox, a pioneering World of Work centre that provides young people with opportunities to develop future-ready skills, connect with employers and access innovative learning environments centred around Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). At the heart of the Fusebox sits the Maker Zone, providing industry-standard equipment and creative technologies that inspire young people to explore future careers and unlock their potential.
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is one of the leading youth organisations in the borough, supporting thousands of young people each year through open access youth work, targeted interventions, employability programmes and community partnerships.
Our Values and Principles
OUR VISION
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone to be at the heart of the community, collaborating to create a more cohesive and prosperous Blackburn and Darwen.
OUR MISSION
To inspire all young people to have fun, meet different people, try new things and challenge themselves to be the very best they can be.
OUR IMPACT
The difference we want to make.
We want to make a tangible difference to the lives of young people. Our work will result in young people:
- Being happier.
- Engaging positively with young people from across Blackburn with Darwen.
- Living healthier and more active lifestyles.
- Having increased opportunities to develop, learn and achieve.
- Feeling empowered and connected to their local community.
- Respecting and engaging with the environment through new experiences.
- Having increased aspirations, improved employability and greater economic opportunities.
OUR VALUES
Our Values, developed alongside our young people and team members, guide how we support each other, our wider community, partners and other stakeholders. These we express as our H.E.A.R.T. Values.
Honesty is the best policy
Excellence is learned through experience
Accountability is doing whatever is right
Respect should be universal
Teamwork makes the dream work
Main Purpose
The FUSE STEAM Programme Lead will be responsible for leading the planning, coordination and delivery of the innovative FUSE STEAM Programme, a pioneering daytime enrichment programme designed to inspire young people aged 11–16 to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to progress into future education, apprenticeships and employment within Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM). Working collaboratively with local secondary schools, employers, higher and further education providers, the Local Authority and strategic partners, the postholder will create meaningful learning experiences that combine technical skills development, employability education, workplace behaviours and real-world industry exposure. The successful candidate will lead engaging, project-based learning using the facilities within the Fusebox and Maker Zone, supporting young people to discover their passions, build confidence and develop practical STEAM competencies aligned to local labour market needs.
The postholder will play a central role in developing the FUSE programme into a flagship educational offer for Blackburn with Darwen by coordinating programme delivery, building strong partnerships, monitoring outcomes and ensuring delivery meets agreed funding objectives and quality standards. Particular emphasis will be placed upon supporting young people facing barriers to education, employment or digital inclusion, helping them raise aspirations, improve educational attainment and successfully transition into further education, apprenticeships and skilled employment.
The role will contribute to Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone's wider mission of improving social mobility, reducing inequalities and ensuring every young person has the opportunity to fulfil their potential through innovative, high-quality youth work and education programmes.
Main Responsibilities
- To lead the planning, coordination and delivery of the FUSE STEAM Programme, ensuring a high-quality, innovative and engaging daytime learning experience for young people aged 11–16.
- To design, develop and deliver an inspiring programme of STEAM enrichment activities that support young people to develop technical skills, employability, confidence and aspirations through practical, project-based learning reflective of current industry practice.
- To plan and coordinate the annual programme timetable, ensuring delivery aligns with agreed cohort models, curriculum themes and funding requirements.
- To work collaboratively with secondary schools, academy trusts, the Local Authority and education partners to identify, recruit and support young people who will benefit most from the programme, particularly those facing barriers to participation, educational attainment or future employment.
- To develop positive and productive relationships with employers, industry partners, universities, colleges and training providers to create meaningful opportunities for young people including workplace visits, guest speakers, mentoring, industry projects and work experience.
- To deliver high-quality STEAM learning using the specialist facilities within the Fuse Box and Maker Zone, ensuring activities are engaging, inclusive and reflective of current industry practice.
- To develop and embed the FUSE STEAM Passport, enabling young people to evidence their skills, knowledge, behaviours and achievements throughout their learning journey.
- To motivate, inspire and support young people to actively participate in all aspects of the programme, encouraging curiosity, ambition and progression into future STEAM pathways.
- To create an inclusive learning environment that enables all young people, including those with SEND, those at risk of exclusion, those experiencing disadvantage and those affected by digital exclusion, to participate and achieve their full potential.
- To continually review, evaluate and improve programme content to ensure it remains innovative, relevant and responsive to the needs of young people, schools and industry.
- To coordinate employer engagement activities including workplace visits, careers events, industry challenges, employer talks, mentoring opportunities and practical project briefs.
- To organise and coordinate programme showcases, exhibitions, celebration events and presentations that recognise young people's achievements and engage parents, schools, employers and stakeholders.
- To support young people to understand the full range of progression opportunities available including GCSE pathways, T Levels, apprenticeships, further education, higher education and employment within STEAM industries.
- To maintain effective communication with schools, parents, carers and partner organisations regarding attendance, progress, safeguarding and programme outcomes.
- To monitor attendance, engagement, achievement and progression across all programme cohorts, ensuring accurate records are maintained in accordance with organisational procedures.
- To collect, analyse and report programme data, outcomes and case studies to demonstrate impact against agreed funding outputs, performance indicators and organisational objectives contributing towards programme evaluation, quality assurance and continuous improvement, ensuring delivery reflects best practice in youth work, education and informal learning.
- To work closely with colleagues across Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone to ensure the FUSE Programme complements wider youth work provision and creates progression opportunities into other Youth Zone services.
- To supervise, support and coordinate volunteers, placement students, sessional staff and industry mentors involved in programme delivery where appropriate.
- To ensure the Fusebox, Maker Zone and all associated learning environments remain safe, organised, fully equipped and compliant with Health and Safety requirements.
- To maintain an accurate inventory of programme equipment, digital resources and specialist technologies, reporting maintenance or replacement requirements as necessary.
- To manage allocated programme budgets responsibly, ensuring resources provide maximum benefit for young people and represent value for money.
- To actively promote the FUSE Programme through schools, community events, employer networks, digital media and Youth Zone communications to maximise engagement and participation.
- To represent Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone professionally at partnership meetings, networking events, conferences and stakeholder forums, acting as an ambassador for the FUSE Programme.
- To support the development of future funding opportunities by contributing to funding applications, programme development, partnership building and sustainability planning.
- To work within Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone's policies and procedures at all times, including Safeguarding, Health & Safety, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion, GDPR and professional standards.
- To undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the responsibilities of the post, as requested by the Head of Young Peoples Services
Selection Criteria* A = Application Form I = Interview
Essential or Desirable
Method of Assessment
Experience
Experience of planning and delivering engaging STEAM, employability or enrichment programmes for young people aged 11–16.
E
A/I
Experience of working with young people who may be vulnerable, disadvantaged or at risk of becoming NEET.
E
A/I
Experience of working collaboratively with schools, education providers and external agencies.
E
A/I
Experience of developing positive partnerships with employers, industry and community organisations.
E
A/I
Experience of designing and delivering practical, project-based learning programmes.
E
A/I
Experience of managing projects, programmes or funded initiatives.
D
A/I
Experience of coordinating events, workshops, employer engagement activities or educational visits.
D
A/I
Experience of developing opportunities that support young people to progress into further education, apprenticeships or employment.
E
A/I
Experience of monitoring programme outcomes, evaluating impact and producing reports.
D
A/I
Experience of using digital technologies, engineering, manufacturing or creative technologies within learning environments.
E
A/I
Experience of working within education, youth work, employability or community settings.
E
A/I
Experience of supervising, supporting or mentoring staff, volunteers or placement students.
D
A/I
Knowledge
Knowledge of STEAM education and emerging technologies.
Knowledge of employability skills, careers education and progression pathways for young people.
Knowledge of safeguarding legislation and best practice when working with children and young people.
Understanding of the barriers affecting young people from disadvantaged communities, including those at risk of becoming NEET.
Knowledge of local and national education, apprenticeship and employment pathways.
Understanding of monitoring, evaluation and quality assurance within funded programmes.
Knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion and how to embed inclusive practice within programme delivery.
Awareness of local labour market needs and opportunities within STEAM-related industries.
Education/Training/Qualification
Current First Aid Qualification.
D
A
Working towards or achieved qualification in Engineering or Computer Science.
D
A
Skills
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to engage and inspire young people from a wide range of backgrounds.
Strong written communication skills, including the ability to produce reports, case studies and funding information.
E
A/I
Ability to plan, coordinate and deliver high-quality STEAM and employability programmes.
E
I
Ability to motivate, support and build positive relationships with young people.
E
I
Strong organisational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
E
I
Ability to build and maintain effective partnerships with schools, employers, education providers and external stakeholders.
E
I
Ability to monitor, evaluate and accurately report programme outcomes and impact.
D
I
Strong IT and digital literacy skills, including confidence using a range of digital technologies.
E
I
Ability to adapt learning activities to meet the needs of young people with differing abilities and backgrounds.
E
I
Ability to work independently while contributing effectively as part of a wider team.
E
I
Ability to organise and coordinate educational visits, employer engagement activities, workshops and events.
D
I
Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think creatively to overcome challenges.
E
I
Personal Qualities
Ability to establish positive professional relationships with young people and adults.
E
I
Passionate about improving outcomes for young people.
E
I
Positive, enthusiastic and creative approach to programme delivery.
E
I
Flexible and adaptable approach to work.
E
I
Excellent teamwork and collaborative working style.
E
I
Strong personal integrity and professionalism.
E
I
Proactive, self-motivated and solution focused.
E
I
Other
Enhanced DBE
Clean driving licence
D
Willingness to drive across Blackburn and Darwen sites
E
I
Willingness to undertake occasional evening and weekend work to support programme activities, employer engagement and organisational events.
Working Hours
The hours of work are those necessary to fulfil the requirements of the position. The role will primarily be delivered during daytime hours, Monday to Friday, in line with programme delivery across schools, educational settings and partner organisations.
Flexibility is required as occasional evening and weekend working may be necessary to support employer engagement events, programme showcases, staff training, partnership meetings and other Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone activities.
Remuneration Package
Salary: Up to £30,000 (Dependent on experience)
Holidays: 33 days inclusive of 8 Bank Holidays.
Pension: Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone operates a pension scheme with Royal London for auto-enrolment purposes in which you may be enrolled if you meet the eligibility criteria. Contributions are 5% Employee and 3% Employer.
Notice Period: 4 weeks.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
In accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Application Process
Please email a CV together with a concise covering letter outlining your suitability for the role and demonstrating how your experience meets the requirements of the Person Specification.
Applications should be sent to [email protected].
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful applicant will be required to undertake an Enhanced DBS check.
Pay: Up to £30,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
