Youth Worker

About the role

If you believe in young people and are passionate about giving young people opportunities in a safe but sometimes challenging space, this is the role for you. You will have a strong belief that young people are able to thrive through developing relationships with people who really care about them. You will be energised and thrive by working directly with children and young people and offering support and guidance through issue-based work and projects. You will be able to work as a team, in a fast-paced environment to enable young people to achieve, have a sense of belonging and improve their general well-being and self-esteem.

Main Responsibilities

• Engage young people and establish positive relationships.
• Lead group work, large and small groups.
• Promote a nurturing environment in which young people can develop.
• Work flexibly to ensure the needs of young people are met, including children and young people who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with disabilities or additional needs.
• Encourage positive behaviour and challenge concerning behaviour.
• Promote cultural cohesion and inclusion and proactively challenge any prejudice and discrimination.
• Consult with young people on activities and ensure their views, wishes and ideas are taken seriously and acted on, when possible and feedback when not.
• Promote and safeguard the welfare of children and young people at all times.
• Deliver projects that cover issue-based work such as drugs and alcohol, sexual health, discrimination, citizenship, emotional and physical health wellbeing.
• Deliver a broad curriculum of youth work that encourages young people to explore more about themselves and who they are.
• Plan, deliver, review and evaluate projects and activities.
• Act as a mentor and guide for youth support workers and young leaders.
• Promote a positive image of BLGC and be a role model through your work with young people.
• Report any behaviour, conversations or comments which are inappropriate within a setting for children and young people.
• Ensure any volunteer that you encounter is made to feel an integral part of the BLGC Family.
• Participate in continued professional development.
• Understand and adhere to BLGC policies and procedures at all times, with particular emphasis on equal opportunities, health and safety and safeguarding.
• Undertake any other work requested by your line manager.

Person Specification

Selection Criteria Essential Desirable Method of A=Application / I=Interview ✓ ✓ Assessment ✓ Qualifications A JNC recognised professional youth work qualification ✓ A A relevant degree in Youth and community work or its equivalent ✓ A Experience Minimum of two years’ experience of working with young people ✓ A ages 13-19 in both groups and individually. Strong commitment to young people and ability to engage and ✓ A/I build positive relationships with young people. Ability to work as a team but also independently to run activities ✓ A/I with groups of young people Able to adapt and change working styles based on the young ✓ A/I people’s wants and needs Experience of Leading and delivering projects in line with set ✓ A/I deadlines and reviewing them Experience of effectively responding to young people exhibiting ✓ I behaviors of concern Ability to implement high quality issue-based youth work programs ✓ I for young people. Knowledge and Skills Understanding of issues that impact young people’s lives ✓ A/I Delivery of youth work within EDI framework. ✓ I Demonstrable knowledge of Health and Safety and assessing risk ✓ A/I Working knowledge of Safeguarding practice ✓ Understand the impact of trauma and adverse childhood ✓ A/I experiences of children and young people Working knowledge of youth participation and the Lundy model ✓ A Personal Qualities Creative, positive and enthusiastic ✓ I Emotionally resilient ✓ I Flexible approach to working evenings and weekends ✓ I A team player ✓ I Good planning and organisational skills and flexibility to adapt to ✓ I circumstances In addition, we will need the following: • Confirmation you are eligible to work in the UK (the successful candidate will be required to provide documentary evidence before a job offer is confirmed). • Any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you in your application for the selection process. • In accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an Enhanced DBS.

Why join Team BLGC?

BLGC is a great place to work, we work hard, but we have fun! We change and save the lives of thousands upon thousands of children, young people and families. In addition, we also offer the following: • Flexible working opportunities • Generous leave benefits • Contributory pension scheme • On site gym • Birthday leave • Enhanced Compassionate Leave • Enhanced Maternity Pay In 2024 Great Place To Work® recognised Bolton Lads and Girls Club on the following Best Workplaces Lists.