The Springboard Media Training and Youth Engagement Project supports Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) young people aged 16–25, including refugees, asylum seekers, young offenders, ex-offenders, and those at risk of offending, who are experiencing homelessness, insecure housing, social exclusion, or multiple barriers to participation.
The project aims to provide a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment where young people can develop confidence, resilience, life skills, employability skills, and aspirations, enabling them to progress towards positive destinations such as stable accommodation, further education, training, volunteering, or employment.
Through a combination of group activities, media training, podcasting, radio broadcasting, mentoring, and one-to-one support, participants will be empowered to overcome barriers, improve their wellbeing, and become active and valued members of their communities.
Purpose of the Role
The Development Worker will be responsible for developing and delivering a high-quality youth engagement programme that combines media training, personal development, employability support, mentoring, and volunteering opportunities.
The postholder will provide individual and group support to young people, deliver practical media and radio training, manage the organisation’s social media platforms, support and train volunteers, present radio programmes, and contribute to the day-to-day activities of Awaz FM.
The Development Worker will ensure that project outputs, outcomes, and targets are achieved while supporting young people to develop the skills, confidence, and motivation needed to reach positive destinations.
Key Responsibilities
Youth Support and Development
- Provide developmental support that encourages and empowers young people to engage in activities that improve their confidence, wellbeing, aspirations, life skills, and employability opportunities.
- Carry out assessments of needs and develop individual support plans with each allocated young person.
- Support young people to identify barriers and develop strategies to overcome challenges and achieve positive outcomes.
- Facilitate group activities that reduce isolation, increase confidence, build resilience, and improve social and communication skills.
- Support young people to access education, training, employment, volunteering, housing, and specialist support services where appropriate.
- Maintain regular contact with participants and monitor progress against agreed action plans.
Media Training and Programme Delivery
- Design, coordinate, and deliver engaging media, radio broadcasting, podcasting, and digital content programmes.
- Provide basic radio broadcasting, interviewing, presenting, and media production training to new and existing volunteers.
- Support young people to develop practical skills in broadcasting, interviewing, script writing, audio editing, podcast production, and digital media creation.
- Plan, promote, monitor, and evaluate programme activities to ensure project targets and outcomes are achieved.
- Support participants to gain confidence through practical broadcasting and media opportunities.
Radio Broadcasting
- Present radio programmes on Awaz as required.
- Support the production and delivery of live and pre-recorded radio content.
- Assist young people and volunteers to participate in radio broadcasting activities.
- Promote community engagement through radio programming and media projects.
Volunteer Management
- Recruit, support, supervise, and develop volunteers involved in the project.
- Deliver volunteer inductions and training sessions.
- Provide ongoing support and mentoring to volunteers.
- Maintain volunteer records and monitor volunteer participation.
- Encourage project participants to progress into volunteering opportunities within Awaz FM and the wider community.
Social Media and Communications
- Manage and maintain the organisation’s social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and other relevant channels.
- Create engaging content to promote project activities, events, achievements, training opportunities, and community campaigns.
- Develop digital content including graphics, videos, podcasts, interviews, and promotional materials.
- Support the marketing and promotion of the project and wider organisational activities.
- Monitor engagement and contribute to increasing the organisation's online presence and audience reach.
Partnership Development
- Develop and maintain positive working relationships with organisations across the public, private, and third sectors.
- Promote the project and develop referral pathways to ensure young people can access support.
- Attend networking events, partnership meetings, and community forums as required.
- Represent the organisation professionally and positively at all times.
Monitoring, Evaluation and Administration
- Maintain accurate participant records, support plans, case notes, monitoring information, and attendance records.
- Ensure all monitoring and evaluation requirements are completed accurately and within agreed timescales.
- Produce reports and statistics as required by management and funders.
- Assist with quarterly, annual, and end-of-project reporting.
- Ensure organisational databases and recording systems are maintained accurately and securely.
- Comply with all data protection and confidentiality requirements.
General Responsibilities
- Assist in the day-to-day operation of Awaz and support wider organisational activities where required.
- Participate in community events, outreach activities, campaigns, and promotional activities.
- Work collaboratively with colleagues, volunteers, participants, and partners.
- Attend supervision sessions, team meetings, training, and professional development opportunities.
- Comply with all organisational policies and procedures, including Health and Safety, Equal Opportunities, Data Protection, Confidentiality, Safeguarding, and Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults.
- Undertake any other duties reasonably required by management that are consistent with the nature and level of the post.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
Experience
- Experience of working with young people, particularly those facing disadvantage, exclusion, or multiple barriers.
- Experience delivering group work, training, mentoring, coaching, or support programmes.
- Experience maintaining accurate records and monitoring information.
- Experience working in partnership with other organisations and stakeholders.
Knowledge and Skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to engage, motivate, and build positive relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds.
- Good organisational and time management skills.
- Good IT skills including Microsoft Office and online communication platforms.
- Good social media and digital communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people.
Personal Qualities
- Enthusiastic, motivated, and approachable.
- Flexible and adaptable.
- Reliable and professional.
- Committed to supporting disadvantaged young people to achieve their potential.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in community media, radio broadcasting, podcasting, or digital content creation.
- Experience presenting radio programmes, public speaking, interviewing, or facilitating group discussions.
- Experience working with BME communities, refugees, asylum seekers, young offenders, or ex-offenders.
- Experience recruiting, managing, and supporting volunteers.
- Experience managing social media platforms and creating digital content.
- Knowledge of youth work practices and safeguarding procedures.
- Relevant qualification in Youth Work, Community Development, Media, Education, Social Care, or a related discipline.
- Ability to speak Urdu or Punjabi.
Additional Information
- This post is funded by The Robertson Trust for a period of three years.
- The successful applicant will be required to become a member of the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme or undergo a satisfactory PVG Scheme check before employment can commence.
- Appointment will be subject to satisfactory references and evidence of the right to work in the United Kingdom.
- Some evening and weekend work may be required to meet the needs of the project and participants.
- Annual leave and other employment benefits will be provided in accordance with the organisation’s policies and statutory requirements.
Pay: £24,788.00 per year
Work Location: In person
