Who we are looking for:
We are looking for somebody who can ensure Wigan Youth Zone and all its activities are inclusive to all young people. The ideal candidate will support community cohesion and provide an environment where members from diverse demographics, and those with disabilities and additional support needs feel safe.
This role will have clear targets to broaden and increase overall participation rates and ensure participation is representative of the demographics of Wigan and Leigh. You will carry out targeted outreach and partnership work across the borough to promote Wigan Youth Zone and gain an understanding of the barriers to participation and work to overcome these as well as deliver face to face youth work sessions during our opening hours. Most importantly you will ensure all young people are welcome and feel able to participate in all activities, no matter who they are.
Knowledge and Understanding
Since opening, the Youth Zone has facilitated over 500,000 visits to over 23,000 young people with impressive outcomes for those members across a range of measures such as confidence building, facilitating positive relationships and instilling ambition for adulthood. Last year we supported over two hundred individuals with special additional needs or disabilities including ADHD, anxiety and depression, autism, cerebral palsy, Down’s syndrome, social and emotional challenges, musculoskeletal conditions, and visual/auditory/sensory conditions.
We are ideally placed to make a huge difference to the lives of young people with additional support needs and disability in Wigan and Leigh and are looking for a highly motivated person to join us on that journey to take forward the charity’s inclusion provision to the next level.
With a framework of programmes and sessions already established, the ideal candidate will be able to hit the ground running and identify how provision can be enhanced to have a greater impact, identify areas for growth and help shape our inclusion work into best in field provision.
We are particularly keen to hear from people from a youth work/social care/health worker background who can adapt to their skill set. Our vision is to create an environment where children and young people with additional support needs or disabilities can take part in any of the activities at the Youth Zone alongside their peers.
The role of Inclusion Coordinator will liaise with parents/carers, raising issues, providing feedback, passing on information – having the knowledge and experience to be able to ask the right questions, instill confidence and offer the correct level of support.
We will be able to ensure that an experienced team member is always on hand to respond to needs such as medication, behaviour support, sensory overload, mobility, anxiety, disengagement, eating, time out, parent/carer handover, information sharing, session recording, gathering information from staff, highlighting areas of support requirement.
Qualifications
- Introduction to Youth Work and Community Work NVQ/VRQ Level 2 – Desirable
What will you need to succeed:
- Experience in delivering inclusive activities, working with children and young people (aged 8 plus) - Essential
- Experience of working with young people with additional needs or disabilities - Desirable
- Experience of supporting young people who are underachieving and / or have social / emotional barriers to participation - Desirable
- Experience of working in a team and alongside volunteers - Desirable
- Experience of dealing with safeguarding issues within a multi-agency setting - Essential
- Experience of line management/Coaching a team of direct reports - Desirable
- Ability to work with young people to develop their skills by providing programmes of activities, services and facilities that are fun and enable young people and adults - Essential
- Ability to develop good professional relationships with children, young people and adults - Essential
- Ability to coach, encourage, motivate and provide reliable support to children and young people - Essential
- Confident in working with young people on a 1-2-1 basis - Essential
- Ability to identify and challenge discrimination and discriminatory behaviour, taking appropriate action as necessary - Essential
- Competency in IT and communication skills, Report writing, budget management & general & administrative tasks - Essential
- Understanding the principles of working with children and young people - Essential
- Understanding of issues affecting young people’s lives and trauma informed practice - Essential
- Ability to deliver high quality activity programmes with children and young people who face social exclusion, disadvantage and disaffection - Desirable
- Knowledge of Health and Safety, diversity awareness and safeguarding best practice and how these relate to children and young people - Essential
Special Requirements
A willingness to work evenings/weekends and occasional residentials
DBS clearance and committed to Safeguarding children
The ability and willingness to travel to meetings and events both in the region and beyond
The job holder will be required to adhere to the Youth Zone’s policies at all times, with particular emphasis on Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding. Attendance at events and conferences will sometimes be required.
In accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an enhanced DBS check and business satisfactory references.
Please note that in line with our Safeguarding Policy, you must be age 21 for this role as you will be working with both junior and senior club members. All applicants must also be inactive as members for at least 12 months.
88% of our Team would recommend Wigan Youth Zone as an employer to their family and friend
BENEFITS:
- 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) pro rata. Plus additional leave for length of service
- Hybrid work (role dependant)
- Birthdays off
- Gym access
- Training and CPD including first aid, safeguarding and health and safety
- Career development opportunities
- Employee assistance programme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Strong team culture
- Workplace pension
- Free eye tests
- Discounted to £2 access to holiday club for WYZ staff.
- Access to Lifeline Plus: Virtual medical care
Pay: Up to £27,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site gym
Work Location: In person
