Youth Coordinator

**Job Role: Youth Coordinator - Darwen Youth Zone**

**Accountable to: Youth Team Lead**

**About Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone**:
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is a 21st century youth hub located at the heart of Blackburn and a dedicated site in Darwen, open to young people aged 5 to 25 years old, aiming to change the prospects offered to young people in the area. Our vision is to be at the heart of the community, collaborating to create a more cohesive and prosperous Blackburn and Darwen.

We are one of the leading youth organisations in Blackburn, with a membership of over 2,500 young people. We are open 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year and offer over 40 different activities and opportunities in our open access youth club.

**Context of Role**:
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is an iconic, state-of-the-art facility for young people in the heart of Blackburn which opened in June 2012

Our staff are what makes the Youth Zone special and the Youth Club Team Leader role is a crucial role within our mission of making Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone the Number One Service for young people. You will be responsible for the coordination, leadership, planning and delivery of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone Youth Club provision for young people aged 13 to 19 years (21 with a disability). Working positively, collaboratively and at pace with an enthusiastic and energetic youth work team, you will ensure our programme and offer for young people is of high quality, meets the needs of every young person in Blackburn with Darwen and ensures our offer reflects and exceeds on the wishes, needs and views of young people.

You will be the line manager for a number of sessional Youth Workers for whom you will ensure that there is strong evidence of effective performance in line with our vision, mission, values and strategic objectives. You will also be expected to act as deputy to the Youth, Play and Sports Manager, helping co-lead services to young people, share DSL (designated safeguarding lead) responsibilities and fulfil their complete duties in their absence and when agreed.

**Main Responsibilities**:

- Ensure our youth services are of excellent standard, offering diverse activities that create opportunities and encourage participation.
- Meet targets for attendance, participation, progression, impact, and evaluation, adhering to key performance indicators.
- Plan and coordinate programs to meet the needs of all members, engaging a diverse range of young people from across Blackburn with Darwen.
- Maintain a good understanding of our youth's issues and challenges through direct engagement and team communication.
- Address any session problems promptly, providing appropriate interventions.
- Ensure young people's ideas are integral to the planning, delivery, and evaluation of sessions, projects, and activities.
- Be target-driven, quality assure, and provide reports to demonstrate the impact of our youth work.
- Collaborate with project leads to identify young people and achieve project performance against funding requirements.
- Monitor and evaluate sessions to ensure the highest quality service and gather necessary data for funders.
- Promote a positive image of Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone through professional conduct.
- Deliver a strong performance management culture that reflects our values.
- Manage resources and staff effectively, driving performance to ensure staff can reach their full potential for the benefit of our service users.
- Safeguard the welfare of children and young people, including recording concerns and liaising with the DSL.
- Ensure robust risk management, including personalised risk assessments.
- Adhere to Blackburn and Darwen Youth Zone policies and ensure all staff and volunteers do the same.
- Serve as a Principal Key Holder, responsible for building security and health and safety during sessions.
- Promote social integration and inclusion, and actively challenge prejudice and discrimination.

**Measurable Outputs (as determined within our annual business plan and departmental KPIs)**:

- Membership including session attendance, retention and membership growth for young people 13 to 19
- Outcomes and achievements for young people.
- Employee performance as per the supervision and agreed objectives you set as their line manager.
- Ability to meet and exceed relative grant and trust conditions.

**Person Specification**:
**Education/Training/Qualifications**
- Five GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above. _(Essential)_
- Youth Work Level 2 or equivalent _(Desirable)_
- First Aid _(Desirable)_

**Experience**:

- Experience with working with young people ages 13-19 both in groups and individually at management level for a minimum of 2 years _(Essential)_
- Face-to-face delivery with young aged 13 to 19 years old for a minimum of 3 years _(Essential)_
- Experience of working in an outreach or detached setting _(Essential)_

**Skills/Abilities**:

- Strong commitment to young people and ability