Overview
We are seeking a reliable and compassionate Youth Worker to join our team At Help Young People Thrive. The ideal applicant will have a passion for supporting and empowering young people, helping them to overcome challenges and achieve their potential. This role involves working closely with adolescents and young adults aged 16-25; providing guidance and mentorship in various settings. The Youth Worker will play a crucial role in fostering a safe and inclusive environment for all participants with the aim of providing high quality, safe and consistent support for young people who are leaving care, helping them to develop independence, live safely, access education/employment/training, manage their health and wellbeing, and to transition successfully to adulthood.
Expectations
- Shift patterns include evenings, weekends and sleep‑in duties
- Will deal with young people in crisis sometimes; may need to respond to safeguarding or emergency situations.
- Expectation of maintaining professional boundaries, confidentiality, and child‑centred practice.
- Regular supervision and performance reviews.
- May need travel around the local area (to appointments, to liaise with other services).
Key Responsibilities / Duties
- Develop, deliver and regularly review individual support plans with each young person, identifying strengths, goals and areas of support needed (e.g. life skills, budgeting, employment or training, emotional wellbeing).
- Help young people to follow and engage with their Pathway Plans (for care leavers) or equivalent, and contribute toward planning with placing / local authority.
- Assist with transitions: moving in, settling in, and when moving on / leaving the service; ensuring support is in place for successful endings.
- Encourage and enable young people to take increasing responsibility for their own life: daily living skills (cooking, laundry, cleaning, budgeting), managing appointments, travel, finances.
- Understand and apply safeguarding policies and procedures; recognise, report and act on concerns regarding abuse, neglect, exploitation, self‑harm, radicalisation, bullying etc.
- Promote physical, mental, sexual, oral health; help young people access relevant health services.
- Support young people with own health needs, including liaising with external services / professionals.
- Contribute to risk assessments for each young person; monitor, review, and mitigate risks; ensure safety of the environment.
- Provide a stable, safe, nurturing, homely environment (shared or self‑contained, according to setting) that respects privacy and dignity.
- Oversee and supervise communal areas / shared living spaces to ensure hygiene, safety, and maintenance.
- Assist in administering or supervising routines, structure, and boundaries that support young people’s wellbeing and independence.
- Support, motivate and help young people access education, training, apprenticeships, or employment opportunities.
- Provide practical help: e.g. supporting with applications, CVs, travel plans, time‑management, interviews etc.
- Build trusting, respectful relationships with young people; respond sensitively to their background, experiences, identity (race, gender, sexuality, faith etc.).
- Enable young people to have a voice: in their support plans, in how the accommodation is run; ensure they know how to make complaints or feedback.
- Work to build self‑esteem, resilience, positive self‑view, address trauma or adverse childhood experiences.
- Liaise with placing/local authority, statutory services (health, mental health, social care), voluntary sector, youth offending teams, education providers etc.
- Attend reviews, meetings and contribute reports / updates as required.
- Maintain accurate, timely records: daily logs, incident reports, health / medication records, support plan reviews, risk assessments etc.
- Monitor progress of young people, including reviewing support outcomes every 6 months or as required.
- Report serious incidents or events under the provider’s policy and regulatory requirements.
- Work in accordance with the Supported Accommodation (England) Regulations 2023, and with Ofsted / Social Care Common Inspection Framework (SCCIF) standards.
- Ensure duties such as health & safety, fire safety, risk assessments, safeguarding training, staff continuity, and children’s guide / young person’s guide are met.
- Attend staff meetings, supervision, training. Maintain own professional development.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure consistency of care, handovers, shift cover etc.
- Be supportive to new staff; may assist in induction or mentoring as required.
- Teach, encourage or model key life skills such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning, personal hygiene, time management.
- Help young people understand and manage their finances, benefits, housing responsibilities.
- Support and assist young people in developing social and community connections, accessing leisure, volunteering etc.
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Responsibilities
- Engage with young people through various activities, promoting personal development and social skills.
- Provide mentorship and support to individuals, helping them set and achieve personal goals.
- Facilitate educational workshops and group sessions focused on life skills, emotional well-being, and academic support.
- Collaborate with parents, teachers, and other professionals to create tailored support plans for each young person.
- Monitor progress and provide feedback to stakeholders on the development of the youth involved in programmes.
- Maintain accurate records of interactions and progress while ensuring confidentiality is upheld at all times.
- Participate in training sessions to enhance skills in youth work, special education, and mentoring techniques.
Experience
- Proven experience working with children or adolescents in a formal or informal setting is essential.
- Background in teaching or special education is highly desirable.
- Strong mentoring skills with the ability to inspire and motivate young people.
- Familiarity with youth work principles and practices is advantageous.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to connect with diverse groups of young people.
A commitment to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare is paramount. We invite passionate individuals who are eager to make a positive impact on the lives of young people to apply for this rewarding position as a Youth Worker.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: £12.71-£15.50 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
