Youth Worker

Job Title: Youth Worker

Reports to: Youth Matters Project Manager

**Salary**: £12 per hour

Pension: Up to 9% (non-contractual).

Contract: Fixed Term Contact until March 2026

Hours & Location: 8 hours, Wellington and Street

Tuesday: 16:30-20:30

Wednesday: 16:30- 20:30

Holiday: 23 days plus bank holidays (pro-rata)

Job Context

Mind in Somerset is a growing charity that supports anyone living with or affected by mental health difficulties. Our organisational values are collaborative, respectful, accountable, inclusive and compassionate, and we promote these in our work and across all of our services. This role is part of an exciting venture to expand our youth services in Somerset.

We are looking to recruit experienced, enthusiastic and empathetic individuals who put the needs of young people within the community at the centre. Our key ethos is centred around inclusivity and empowering young people to feel part of a supportive community. As part of this role, you will facilitate youth groups, as well as provide 1:1 support. You will encourage our young people to develop peer relationships, promote positive engagement, support their emotional well-being and increase their resilience. You will also encourage and support young people to express their needs, views and concerns in safe and therapeutic spaces.

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 pe