Branch Youth Worker

Responsible to: Youth Work Manager
Rate of Pay: £28,500.00 - £30,674.00 (Dependent on qualifications & experience)
Hours of Work: 40 hours per week (To include regular evening sessions)
Contract Type: Permanent
Work Base: Ripley Blend (Derbyshire) Branch (Regular travel to other sites & locations will be required)

Purpose & Scope
"To play a key role in developing and delivering provision in and through our youth branch in Ripley & surrounding areas, so that we effectively engage with disadvantaged and marginalised young people, leaving a lasting impact on their lives and future prospects and that of the wider community."

"To be involved in the delivery of youth work activities, support services, and alternative education opportunities for young people, in a range of settings across Blend delivery sites and locations, designed to create safe spaces for young people that promote their participation and facilitate their personal and social development."

Specific Duties & Responsibilities

Service Delivery & Development

• Work closely with the Youth Work Manager and wider youth team in developing and delivering creative, inclusive and needs-led programmes, activities and services for young people that promote their wellbeing and enhance their life chances.
• Actively promote the meaningful participation of young people in shaping the ongoing development of Blend Youth Project service delivery.
• Work effectively across Blend sites and delivery locations in a range of contexts including: open drop-in sessions, alternative education provision, project-based delivery, community projects, detached work, 1:1 mentoring, residentials and school-based work.
• Function as the 'Lead Worker' within a variety of delivery contexts and conduct yourself as a role model in youth work practice, providing practice-based support to other staff/volunteers as required.
• Support the planning and delivery of alternative education sessions in a variety of settings as required and directed by the Alternative Education & Post-16 Manager and Specialist Teacher.
• Take a shared responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the Branch, ensuring that young people have access to a range of services that meet their needs e.g. employment support, sexual health services etc.
• Take a shared responsibility for the care, upkeep and management of all Blend premises, equipment and resources, ensuring that routine practices and procedures are implemented and adhered to.
• In the absence of the Youth Work Manager, act as a key point of contact for matters such as Branch premises procedures and protocols.

Quality Assurance & Communications

• To be responsible for the timely completion of all session plans, evaluation forms, progress tracking documents and all associated quality assurance documents.
• Track, record and report upon project progress to support funding monitoring reports / SLA requirements as required.
• Actively participate in producing content and promotional material for use in Blend Youth Project social media platforms, website and offline materials.

Self-Management And Professional Development

• To manage your time effectively and efficiently ensuring that the majority of your working time is direct and sustained delivery of face-to-face work with young people.
• To be responsible for the effective planning, organisation and administration of the post, maintaining appropriate records of work planned and undertaken.
• To attend regular supervision sessions with your Line Manager, submitting agendas/reports on agreed timescales.
• To identify your continuing professional development (CPD) needs and undertake training and professional development opportunities as agreed with your Line Manager.

Person Specification

Characteristics & Values
Essential

• Has a passion & enthusiasm for young people's well-being, learning & development.
• Committed to anti-discriminatory practice in all aspects of work.
• Well organized and able to work effectively alone or as part of a team.

Skills
Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with young people & adults.
• Ability to develop effective and creative learning and development activities, resources, schemes of work and session plans.
• Effective ICT skills and competent in the use of Microsoft Office software.
• Excellent time-management, planning and organizational skills.

Knowledge
Essential

• Knowledge of Safeguarding and Child Protection procedures.
• Knowledge of Health & Safety & risk assessment issues & procedures.
• Knowledge of and commitment to Equal Opportunities practices.

Desirable

• Knowledge of current government policy & practice guidance in relation to young people.

Experience
Essential

• Experience of youth work practice in a range of settings and contexts with individuals and groups of young people, including street-based delivery.
• Experience of responding effectively & empathetically to challenging behaviour.
• Experience of planning, evaluating and reviewing work with young people.

Qualifications & Training
Essential

• Nationally recognized JNC Youth Work qualification, with a minimum of two years post qualifying experience.
• Current/relevant CPD record & willingness to undertake further training & CPD training opportunities.

Desirable

• Qualified to degree level in a relevant field of study.

Other Requirements
Essential

• A full UK Driving License & access to appropriate transport to enable travel within the duties & responsibilities of the post.
• A commitment to working regular unsocial hours, including regular evenings.

Benefits

• Enhanced Annual Leave
• Company Sick Pay Scheme
• 20% discount in all Lighthouse Charity Shops
• Company Pension
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Access to exclusive shopping and lifestyle discounts
• Christmas Saver Scheme
• Company Events

INTERVIEW DATE: FRIDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2025

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN APPLYING FOR THIS POST, PLEASE DOWNLOAD THE APPLICATION PACK (FOUND ON OUR CAREERS WEBSITE) WHICH DETAILS THE FULL JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION.

Safer Recruitment
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect this commitment. All successful candidates will therefore be subject to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks along with other relevant employment checks.

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