Job Title: Youth Worker
Reports to: Youth Matters Project Manager
Salary: £12.30 per hour
Pension: Up to 9% (non-contractual)
Contract: Fixed Term Contact until March 2026
Hours & Location: 6.5 hours, Bridgwater and Wellington
Holiday: 23 days plus 8 days bank holidays (pro-rata)

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

As part of this role, you will be leading on our established Youth Matters peer youth support groups for young people aged 11 to 24, as well as providing 1:1 support for young people. You will:

• Plan, lead and facilitate youth support groups that promote positive engagement.
• Help to create a safe group environment for young people that allows them to reflect on and share their experiences.
• Offer 1:1 support that encourages young people to identify goals to work towards.
• Provide a space for young people to share the difficulties that they are experiencing and explore practical strategies that will support them with managing their difficulties.
• Support young people to access specialised mental health support where necessary.
• Work collaboratively with young people and empower them to make decisions about their mental health.
• Be a part of a service that respects autonomy and individualism.
• Encourage young people to reflect on the Youth Matters services to ensure that they are active in its development and progression.
• Facilitate therapeutic activities both indoors and outdoors that inspire young people to challenge themselves through new experiences.
• Promote the self-esteem, happiness and emotional well-being of our young people.
• Be aware of the challenges that arise through group and peer support and remain mindful of how best to support the young people – as individuals and as part of a wider support group.
• To signpost young people to ongoing support within their community, based on their individual needs.
• To share knowledge of online/virtual support tools with young people.

You will also be part of an exciting new partnership project with Young Somerset – the Umbrella Project. This will involve planning and facilitating groups that are bespoke for vulnerable young people who may be experiencing emotional distress and mild to moderate mental health issues. You will:

• To enable, support and deliver educative and empowering youth work opportunities with children and young people in the 13-18 age range, using youth work methodologies e.g. centre-based, project, group, outreach, school-based or 1:1 as appropriate.
• To uphold robust and thorough safeguarding principles and procedures which comply with organisational and statutory policies.
• To develop arts-based activities, community/environmental projects, residential activities, outdoor activities, and sporting activities which complement the aims and objectives of Umbrella Project.
• To work directly with parents and carers to provide support where appropriate, provide advice and guidance, and to advocate for the whole family in professional settings when they do not feel they have a voice.
• In consultation with the Operations Manager, provide a strengths-based outcomes approach for young people to find their own solutions to issues they feel afflicted by.
• To set targets for progression and regularly monitor and review the quality of Umbrella Project’s provision.
• To develop a relationship with children and young people accessing the service, based on respect and trust, ensuring they have a safe place to develop their identity and place in society.
• To establish boundaries and challenge inappropriate behaviour.
• To attend and contribute to multi-agency meetings where appropriate, bringing together practitioners from different sectors as part of a holistic approach to a young person’s development
• To model quality practice in the planning, delivery and evaluation of youth work programmes and the identification of a curriculum designed to meet the interests and needs of young people.
• To provide quantitative and qualitative data to support outcomes developed by YS Youth and Community Service.
• To initiate and work with colleagues at Mind in Somerset and Young Somerset, partner agencies and local communities as required to maximise the opportunities available to young people – reporting to them as required.
• To ensure and support community and voluntary services to deliver safe youth provision through modelling best practice.

OTHER DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• To engage fully with the values and community of Mind in Somerset. There is an expectation to attend and actively participate in staff meetings and training events when appropriate and/or required.
• Use professional skills and knowledge in relation to confidentiality and safeguarding. You will need to use analytical skills and informed professional judgement in relation to any decisions around safeguarding. You will always be expected to adhere to Mind in Somerset’s safeguarding procedures.
• To identify, assess and manage risk to ensure that risk is minimised. This will involve working in a safe manner under the guidance of the risk assessment and ensure that the health and safety policies of Mind in Somerset are implemented and fully adhered to.
• To attend monthly one-to-one supervision with line manager.
• To attend monthly team meetings.
• To engage in group supervision, as appropriate.
• To engage in monthly clinical supervision. Abide by health and safety guidelines and share responsibility for own safety and that of colleagues.
• To maintain accurate record keeping/documentation and ensure that any storing or sharing of confidential information is in line with current GDPR regulations.
• Carry out any other appropriate tasks requested by the manager, to ensure the effective delivery and development of the service.
• To work in an inclusive and culturally sensitive way for all service-users; being responsive to individual needs and challenging stigma and discrimination.
• To cover leave and absences where required.
• Any other duties as require.