Youth Support Worker x 2
Role: Youth Support Worker
Hours: Up to 37 hours, predominantly afternoons and evenings, including occasional weekends where necessary.
Salary: £22,000 – £24,000 per annum pro rata – dependent upon experience
Contract Term: Permanent
Annual Leave: 25 days pro-rata plus public holidays
Based at: The Venture Community Hub (TVCH) in Gloucester, with travel throughout the district required.
Responsible to: Youth Work Development Co-ordinator/Chief Executive Officer
About Us:
The Venture started 41 years ago with an adventure playground and indoor play space, designed and built by local young people and families. The Venture Community Hub (TVCH) has gone from strength to strength as a trusted community organisation in Gloucester supporting children, young people and their families from across the city through a wide range of open access provision, community engagement and participation opportunities.
We are passionate about supporting the resilience of young people and their families through grassroots playwork and youthwork, providing safe and consistent sources of connection and support for young people to grow and thrive.
Through our multidisciplinary team and volunteers, we deliver a range of funded programmes and work closely with a network of 30+ partners, nurturing relationships with local communities.
In June 2024, in partnership with the Gloucestershire Gateway Trust, we were awarded the Universal Youth Support Services contract for Gloucester and the Forest of Dean. Our role is to facilitate the best possible provision for children and young people within Gloucester. This will be achieved through direct support to existing youth providers, facilitating youth forums and co-production with young people and families, as well as those with the ideas and energy to drive change in their local communities. Together, we will deliver quality, universal and open access YSS provision across FoD and Gloucester through an inclusive, innovative, collaborative and asset-based approach.
The Role
TVCH has developed significantly over recent years and is proud to be in a position to offer a number of youth worker roles, recognising the crucial role that Youth Work plays in providing support for young people and the communities in which they live.
The postholder will work closely with local partners to shape the delivery of impactful, accessible youth support services in Gloucester. Supporting the running of new and existing open access and thematic youth groups in the district will be a significant part of the role, as will the delivery of high quality outreach provision.
The role will involve maintaining and developing supportive relationships with volunteers, communities, schools and other local organisations to ensure an appropriate, sustainable youth offer. The successful candidate must have proven experience of building these kinds of relationships as well as delivering activities and engaging with young people, with a proactive, ‘can do’ attitude.
We fully recognise that this will be a demanding but incredibly rewarding role and are looking for a positive, proactive person with excellent delivery, teamwork and communication skills.
Main Tasks:
– Work with local communities to develop new and existing youth clubs.
– Deliver open access youth group activities that support personal growth and development, confidence, connections and life skills – reflecting National Youth Association curriculum themes.
– Support the planning and running of themed projects in response to assessed need.
– Identify, support, and utilise community assets wherever possible.
– Where groupwork identifies specific vulnerabilities, assess individual need using the Outcomes Star, to co-produce a plan for accessing support or developing additional skills.
– Deliver high quality street-based outreach alongside other youth workers, community workers and local professionals such as PCSOs.
– Seek out opportunities to amplify the voice of young people in order to effect change.
– Maintain clear records of groupwork, session outcomes and where needed, individual records.
– Adhere to our policies for safe practice, safeguarding processes and risk management at all times.
– Contribute to the overall aims of the charity.
– Promote the profile and ethos of TVCH across Gloucester and beyond.
Job / Person Specification:
TVCH considers it to be essential that the post holder has the following skills, knowledge and experience:
Skills
- Ability to create a safe and welcoming environment for young people where they can meet with each other and trusted adults, forming positive, impactful relationships.
- Ability to build positive partnerships with professionals, schools and community organisations.
- Excellent communication skills (verbal and written) to communicate with a variety of audiences.
- Strong organisational skills.
- A positive, proactive approach and ability to generate creative and innovative solutions.
- A flexible approach to work, especially given evening and weekend work will be required.
- Confidence in dealing with safeguarding concerns in a proactive manner.
Knowledge
- Knowledge of issues facing young people in Gloucester and what is in place to support them.
- Understanding of the barriers that prevent young people engaging with their local community and vice versa.
- Understanding of and commitment to equal opportunities.
- Understanding of relevant Health and Safety requirements.
- Understanding of Safeguarding Children and Young People and how to raise a concern.
- Knowledge of National Youth Association practice standards and guidance.
- Understanding of principles of asset-based community development and applied practice.
Experience & Qualifications
- 3 or more years working or volunteering with young people in youth work or similar setting.
- Commitment to undertaking Level 2 Youth Work qualification if not already achieved
- Experience of organising and running events, workshops and activities. Especially to young people and those delivering youth work/services/support.
- Proven success in building effective relationships with young people and youth organisations/services.
- Commitment to continuous professional development and willingness to undertake any training that may be required.
Safeguarding:
TVCH is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults with care and support needs. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. The successful candidate will be required to:
– Undergo an enhanced DBS check
– Provide satisfactory references, including one from the most recent employer
– Complete safeguarding training appropriate to the role
– Adhere to our safeguarding policies and procedures at all times
Equal Opportunities:
TVCH is an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation, or age.
TVCH is committed to ensuring that significant levels of support and training will be provided to the successful candidate.
How to Apply:
To apply, please complete the application form and return it to dawn@theventurecommunityhub.co.uk by 4pm on Monday 4th November 2024.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, which will include:
– a face-to-face interview with a panel
– a candidate led conversation with a group of young people (based on a topic that will be shared in advance of the interview)