Date posted: 6 October 2025
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Job Description:
Job Role: Youth Worker
Accountable to: Team Leader
About Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone:
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is a 21st century youth hub located at the heart of Blackburn and a dedicated site in Darwen, 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.
We are one of the leading youth organisations in Blackburn, with a membership of over 2,500 young people. We are open 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year and offer over 40 different activities and opportunities in our open access youth club.
Context of Role:
You will work at our Blackburn Youth Zone on a Saturday evening between 6-9pm. As a Youth Worker you will be our first point of contact for all young people, provide positive activities, offer support and guidance through issue-based work and provide positive outcomes for young people through appropriate assessment and intervention.
Main Responsibilities:
- To plan and deliver the universal youth work programme ensuring that it inspires and motivates Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone members in a fully inclusive, safe, exceptional, cost effective, relevant and planned programme, always promoting our values.
- Provide a universal service to all children and young people that reaches across the borough to ensure membership is reflective of local demographics promoting social mix within the sessions.
- To work as part of the Youth Work team to engage and retain our 3000 members, taking an active role in developing strategies to engage and retain members including outreach and detached work where required.
- To promote and communicate, with passion and belief, Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone’s Youth Work offer to members, potential members and their parents/guardians.
- Develop and maintain professional and appropriate relationships with children and young people, offering young people a world class service and helping them to be the best they can be.
- Ensure any follow up or developmental work needed with both individual and groups of young people is reported to Team Leaders.
- Ensure that our members maintain a high standard of behaviour and discipline during sessions in line with our Respect policy.
- Record and evaluate the sessions each night, involving young people in the evaluation process.
- To encourage young people to actively participate in decision making processes and structures.
- To work flexibly to ensure the needs of our members are met, working with partner agencies where appropriate support need specific intervention.
- Promote social integration and inclusion, and proactively challenge any prejudice and discrimination.
- Provide accurate information, advice and guidance to young people, including appropriate specialist partners where specific needs have been identified.
- Adhere to Blackburn and Darwen’s Youth Zone policies and procedures at all times with particular emphasis on equal opportunities, health and safety and safeguarding.
- To promote a positive image of Blackburn Youth Zone through professional operation and conduct with all our stakeholders and the general public.
General Requirements
- Always seek to continuously improve so that the highest quality standards are achieved
- Participate positively in internal/external meetings and training as required
- Positively participate in one to ones and appraisals
- Ensure that all relevant policies, procedures and working practices are adhered to at all times
- Work in accordance with Blackburn Youth Zone’s culture, values, aims and objectives
- Act as a positive ambassador for BYZ at all times
- Positively contribute to Blackburn Youth Zone’s team working environment, taking ownership of issues and supporting colleagues where appropriate
- Be flexible and willing to undertake any other duties that may be reasonably be required
Measurable Outputs:
- Feedback on delivery from young people through consultations.
- Engagement and delivery attendance through activity registers.
- Programme planning and submission.
- Submission of CFC.
Person Specification:
Education/Training/Qualifications
- Five GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above. (Essential)
- Youth Work Level 2 or equivalent. (Essential)
Experience:
- Experience with working with young people ages 13-19 both in groups and individually. (Essential)
- Understanding of safeguarding principles (Working Together to Safeguard Children) (Essential)
- Experience of delivering sports and / or arts activities and / or targeted personal development programmes. (Essential)
- Face to face delivery with young aged 13 to 19 years old. (Essential)
- Experience of working in an outreach or detached setting. (Desirable)
- Experience of working in a team and alongside volunteers. (Desirable)
- Planning and delivering a programme of youth work activities. (Essential)
Skills/Abilities:
- Strong commitment to young people and ability to engage and build positive relationships with disengaged young people. (Essential)
- Ability to use initiative in decision making and resolving problems. (Essential)
- Good organisational skills. (Essential)
- Ability to adhere to and maintain effective relationships with young people, staff, parents, carers and other colleagues within appropriate professional boundaries. (Essential)
- Ability to work flexible hours to meet the needs of children (evenings, weekends, residentials). (Essential)
- A believer: a genuine passion for making a difference to the lives of children and young people. (Desirable)
- Able to work evenings, weekends and school half terms. (Essential)
Knowledge
- Understanding of the principles of good youth work practice. (Essential)
- Ability to identify and challenge discrimination and discriminatory behaviour, taking appropriate action as necessary. (Essential)
- Understanding of issues affecting young people’s lives. (Essential)
- Knowledge and understanding of Working Together to Safeguard Children & Young People. (Essential)
- Ability to work in accordance with national, local and organisational Child Protection and Safeguarding policies and procedures. (Essential)
- Ability to identify and appropriately respond to cases of potential or actual child abuse. (Essential)
Working hours
This role is being offered between 0 hours up to 12 hours per week
Any hours offered will generally be evenings and weekends. You will also be expected to work across both our Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zones.
Remuneration package
Salary: National minimum wage (£12.71)
Pension: Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone operates a workplace pension scheme with Royal London for auto-enrolment purposes. You will contribute 5% of your gross earnings whilst the Youth Zone will contribute 3%. If you meet the criteria you will be auto-enrolled into the scheme within 3 months of commencement of your employment although you have the option to opt-out if you so wish.
Other Benefits
- Health Assured Employee Assistance Programme (24/7 Support and Advice
- FairQuid (Financial Wellbeing Support)
- Think Therapy (Mental Health Support)
- Enhanced Maternity/Paternity/Adoption Pay
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups. This post is subject to a safer recruitment process, including the disclosure of criminal records through an enhanced DBS check and completion of appropriate vetting checks. We promote safer working practice across our Youth Zone and all successful employees and volunteers will be expected to share this commitment.
The Youth Zone welcomes applicants from all sectors of the community.
Application Process
Work Location: In person
Pay: £12.71 per hour
Work Location: In person
