Job Title: Youth Work Degree Apprentice (Level 6)
Location: Blackpool Office (with travel across Fylde Coast, regional, and national)
Contract: Fixed Term – Level 6 Apprenticeship (typically 36 months)
Hours: 30 hours per week (includes 1 day at university)
Salary: National Minimum Wage for apprentices (based on age)
About United Youth Alliance
United Youth Alliance (UYA) is a Community Interest Company strengthening youth work and participation across the voluntary, community, and public sectors. Rather than delivering youth provision directly, UYA works alongside organisations to build their confidence, knowledge, and capacity to engage young people meaningfully. We champion youth voice, co-production, and social action, helping services embed youth-led approaches and positive community change. We believe young people are experts in their own lives and genuine organisational partners.
Purpose of the Role
Support high-quality youth work, participation, and social action across diverse sectors. Working alongside experienced youth workers, partners, and young people, you will develop the knowledge, skills, and behaviours of a qualified Youth Worker while contributing to UYA’s mission. You will help organisations embed co-production so young voices influence service planning, delivery, and evaluation.
This role combines academic study with practical experience. You will complete a BA (Hons) Youth Work Degree Apprenticeship with the University of Greater Manchester, attending the Bolton campus one day per week alongside workplace learning.
Key Responsibilities
Professional Youth Work Practice
- Build professional relationships with young people based on trust and voluntary engagement.
- Apply youth work values and ethics to support personal, social, and emotional development.
- Promote wellbeing, resilience, and independence through relationship-centred practice.
- Adapt approaches to meet diverse needs, promoting inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice.
- Demonstrate professional judgement, reflective practice, and continuous improvement.
Youth Voice, Participation and Co-production
- Support the facilitation and evaluation of youth participation across partner organisations.
- Work with young people to co-design projects reflecting their priorities and aspirations.
- Facilitate youth forums, consultations, and peer research to influence decision-making.
- Support organisations to develop meaningful approaches to co-production.
- Promote young people's rights and active involvement in decisions affecting their lives.
Social Action and Community Development
- Help young people identify local issues and develop youth-led social action projects.
- Encourage volunteering, peer leadership, campaigning, and community engagement.
- Collaborate with organisations to enable young people to become active citizens.
- Celebrate and communicate project impacts through events, reports, and activities.
Capacity Building and Partnership Working
- Work with sectors to strengthen youth participation and youth work practice.
- Help partners build capability in engaging youth via participatory methodologies.
- Contribute to developing resources, workshops, and guidance to build capacity.
- Develop knowledge of organisational development and partnership working.
- Maintain effective professional relationships with colleagues and stakeholders.
Research, Planning and Evaluation
- Support participatory research, consultations, and evaluations with youth and partners.
- Gather and present information demonstrating project impacts.
- Contribute to planning and monitoring using evidence-informed approaches.
- Maintain accurate records, reports, and project documentation.
Safeguarding and Professional Responsibilities
- Safeguard children and young people per legislation and organisational policies.
- Recognise and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns.
- Maintain professional boundaries, confidentiality, and ethical standards.
- Promote equality, diversity, inclusion, and social justice across all practice.
Learning and Professional Development
- Complete all requirements of the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.
- Attend university teaching, workplace learning, and professional development.
- Maintain a portfolio demonstrating Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours required.
- Apply academic learning, research, and youth work theory to daily practice.
- Engage in supervision and mentoring to increase autonomy and leadership.
Essential Criteria
Apprenticeship Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet the apprenticeship provider's academic requirements and UYA's recruitment criteria.
Qualifications
- Level 3 qualification required in a ‘relevant subject area’.
- GCSE English Language Grade 4/C or above (or Level 2 Functional Skills).
Plus one of the following:
- 96–112 UCAS Tariff points from A Levels.
- BTEC Extended Diploma at MMM–DMM / BTEC Diploma at DD–DD.
- T Level at Pass (C+) to Merit.
- IELTS score of 6.0 overall with no component below 5.5 (if applicable).
Applicants must also:
- Be eligible to undertake a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship in England.
- Meet the entry requirements of the partner Higher Education Institution.
- Be willing to complete all academic and workplace requirements of the 3-year degree.
- Satisfy the requirements for an Enhanced DBS check.
Note: Applicants with non-traditional entry qualifications but 3+ years of relevant youth work experience supporting young people may be considered.
