QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum JNC endorsed Level 3 NVQ / VRQ Initial qualification in Youth Work is essential for Youth Worker Post only.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

It is essential that the candidate should be able to demonstrate the following criteria. Candidates will only be shortlisted if they can demonstrate that they meet all the essential requirements.

• Able to work flexibly across different work locations and areas as appropriate.
• Able to establish and maintain a constructive and purposeful relationship with young people to support the youth work process.
• Able to support young people in tackling problems, taking actions, and supporting the Youth Worker in Training.
• Able to work effectively with young people in groups and support the Youth Worker in Training.
• Able to work with young people to design and develop sessions.
• Able to work with young people to safeguard their welfare.
• Able to support young people to use their learning to enhance their future development.
• Able to record and evaluate youth work sessions.
• Able to develop programmes that recognise and challenge prejudices, stereotypes, and discrimination.
• Able to develop a range of activities and resources which promotes confidence and ensures all can participate.
• Able to have a flexible approach within a planned programme and meeting changing demands of the service.
• Knowledge of issues affecting young people and respond appropriately to these issues.
• Knowledge of child protection and welfare issues.
• Knowledge of local and national policies and their relationship to the youth work curriculum.
• Knowledge of Health and Safety issues affecting all activities within your remit.
• Experience of working with young people in a youth work environment.
• Experience of enabling young people to work effectively in groups.
• Experience of enabling young people to explore their values and self-respect.
• Experience of enabling young people to use their learning to enhance their future development.
• Experience of working with young people to safeguard welfare and develop awareness for their self-identity.
• Experience of planning youth work sessions with young people linked to the curriculum and youth service targets.
• Experience of effectively recording and evaluating youth work sessions.
• Experience of working as an effective and reflective practitioner.

ABOUT THE ROLE

Youth work supports the personal and social development of young people through engagement, education, and empowerment. Young People are provided with support, encouragement, within safe spaces to build the capabilities they need for learning and the transition to adulthood. Leeds Youth service achieve this through the voluntary engagement of young people in both universal and targeted provision, delivered by skilled and qualified Youth Workers at the times and locations that meet the needs of both individuals and groups.
Our team deliver Youth Work programmes across all 33 wards, delivering and diverting Youth Work intervention to Young People 11-17 (25yrs for those with additional and complex needs) and Communities who need it most. Issue based Youth Work is at the core of our delivery with sessions focused on emotional and mental wellbeing, positive decision making, risk taking behaviours, sexual health, substance misuse, physical health, peer pressure, sports, fitness, participation, and empowerment to name just a few.
Our delivery takes the form of centre based youth sessions, detached, outreach, and mobile youth van provision. Through incorporating the Childrens and Young People’s Plan 2023-28, the Child Friendly 12 Wishes, and the Leeds Community Safety Strategy, the service blends a universal, holistic city wide offer that meets the specific needs of local young people and the communities in which they live.
Every programme is planned and delivered in conjunction with Young People, for Young People, ensuring the needs of both individuals and groups are met.

Our Youth Work delivery is built upon the Leeds Vision For Youth Work, with the six elements of the Vision integrated throughout our strategic planning and operational delivery.

• Leeds Vision For Youth Work
• Youth Work will be valued and understood.
• Participation and Empowerment
• Collaboration
• Respect and Positivity
• Inclusiveness, Equality, and Diversity
• Quality, Safety, and Wellbeing

THIS ROLE IS BASED IN THE UK. HOME OFFICE GUIDANCE STATES THAT CANDIDATES MUST EVIDENCE THEIR RIGHT TO WORK IN THE UK PRIOR TO COMMENCING EMPLOYMENT, EITHER AS A UK OR IRISH CITIZEN, UNDER THE EU SETTLEMENT SCHEME OR HAVING SECURED ANY OTHER RELEVANT WORK VISA.

If you do not have the right to work in the UK, you must consider your own eligibility for sponsorship for a particular role through the Skilled Worker visaroute before applying. To be eligible for sponsorship you’ll usually need to be paid the standard salary rate of at least £41,700 per year or meet one of the other eligibility criteria. Ensure you are eligible before applying.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Work directly with young people to develop and maintain relationships to help identify their starting points, needs and aspirations.
• Facilitate the social education of young people through the design and delivery of programmes that are responsive to their needs and aspirations and reflect the Youth Work curriculum.
• Assist in the development of the Service, by planning, delivery, monitoring and reviewing of youth work provision.
• Encourage young people to participate in designing, delivery and reviewing their programmes.
• Encourage young people to take responsibility for their learning and actions.
• Create an environment in which it is safe and appropriate to challenge young people’s thinking, attitudes, and behaviour.
• Contribute to the Youth Services performance targets.
• Lead, support and develop staff for whom they have line management responsibility.
• Undertake relevant training according to the needs of the service, personal and professional development.
• Ensure that all aspects of the work are underpinned by the principles of equality and diversity.
• Create and maintain a safe youth work environment in accordance with Health and Safety policy and legislation.
• Maintain effective relationships with staff at all levels within the Directorate, other Council Directorates, Elected Members, external agencies, and the general public.
• Improve own practice through observation, evaluation, discussion with colleagues and development programmes.
• The duties outlined are not meant as an exhaustive list and will also comprise any other duties within the spirit of the post commensurate with the job evaluation outcome for this post.

As a Youth Worker / Youth Worker In Training you will bring to the role:

• The passion, skill, and ability to work directly with young people to develop and maintain relationships to help identify their starting points, needs, and hopes.
• An ability to support the creation of an environment in which it is safe and appropriate to challenge young people’s thinking, attitudes, and behaviour.
• A commitment to work flexibly to accommodate different lifestyles, goals and aspirations of young people at the time and location which meets their needs, working regular evenings (and some weekends) throughout the week.
• A desire for continued self-development through reflective practice, critical thinking, and a variety of training opportunities.
• As a Youth Worker for Leeds Youth Service, you must hold a JNC recognised level 3 (or above) Youth Work qualification. As a Youth Worker In Training for Leeds Youth Service, you will undertake a JNC recognised level 3 Youth Work qualification as part of the role, this will be funded by the service