Assistant Youth Worker

**Job Title**:Assistant Youth Worker

**Responsible to**:Youth and Communities Co-ordinator

(Senior Youth Worker during youth sessions)

**Responsible for**:Supervising groups of young people

**Hours of work**:TBC some evenings including some Fridays. Some hours will be based during school times.

(Due to the nature of youth work, and supporting a young person led programme, there will be a requirement to support events / residentials / visits outside of the hours set. These will be negotiated as needed)

**Salary**:£9.50 p/h. 3 hours outreach work per week for 39 term time weeks (3 hours delivery)

3 hours life skills sessions per week for 39 term time weeks (3 hours delivery)

**Location(s)**:Tenbury

**Organisation Context**:YMCA Worcestershire is a Christian charity committed to supporting all young people, particularly in times of need. We are part of a worldwide Christian Movement, whose vision is to enable people to live, learn and share to build a brighter future in mind, body and spirit. We are a registered social landlord providing housing and supported services to young people, and a range of community and other services at a variety of locations.

**Job Purpose**: Youth Workers guide and support young people in their personal, social and educational development, with the aim of helping them reach their full potential and make a successful transition to adulthood.

YMCA Worcestershire (YMCAW) Youth Workers work in a variety of settings, such as:

- youth centres
- faith-based groups
- sport centres
- schools and colleges
- targeted street work to engage with high-risk young people
- virtual delivery

We are a growing team, currently engaging young people in four areas of Worcestershire, with the aim of developing further provision in other areas of the county. As a Youth Worker within YMCAW, you'll develop, organise and run community programmes aimed at young people aged, primarily between 8 and 15. Through these programmes, you'll support young people to explore and understand their ideas, values and beliefs; building their confidence and life skills.

We require Youth Workers who:

- feel comfortable working in a variety of settings
- who are able to build effective and meaningful relationships with young people based on mutual trust
- enjoy the many challenges of working with young people
- are committed to supporting and empowering the young people they work with

**Objective**:To develop relationships with young people, based on respect and trust, ensuring they have a safe place to develop their identity and place in society through ensuring that all work is undertaken within the policies and procedures of the Association, so that all staff and young people enjoy a safe environment where they can belong, contribute and thrive.

**To achieve this you will**:

- Co-plan, co-deliver and co-supervise groups of young people and the activities running at each session. This may include informal learning, workshops, games, arts and crafts, community or environmental projects, outdoor activities, and sporting activities in a variety of settings including face to face, virtual and outreach/detached.
- Engage and build appropriate relationships with all young people who attend the session or out in the community.
- Ensure all equipment is set out in preparation for the session to begin and put away safely at the end of each session.
- Support young people to develop respect and tolerance towards others who have different beliefs, non-beliefs, disability, gender, identity or values, including those from other cultures, faiths and backgrounds.
- Mentor, coach and support individuals, encouraging greater social inclusion, throughout all youth work settings.
- Develop a good rapport with young people in small groups and on an individual basis.
- Establish appropriate boundaries and challenge inappropriate behaviour.
- Deal with any issues which arise during sessions in an appropriate and timely manner escalating any issues or concerns to senior youth worker.
- Engage with parents, carers and other members of the community.
- Adhere to YMCAW and site venues’ policies and procedures on all aspects of Health & Safety and Safeguarding.
- Attend regular training and development opportunities to maintain an up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety, and local policy developments.
- Attend youth team meetings, and other service meetings, as required.

**Additional Information: Principal Terms and Conditions of Appointment**
- This is a permanent contract.
- This is a part-time role, evening and weekend work will be required.
- Paid annual holiday entitlement is 5.6 weeks a year pro-rata, increasing incrementally to a maximum of 1.0 additional week after 5 years.
- YMCA Worcestershire offers optional membership of a flexible defined contribution Personal Pension scheme and health care plan.
- The successful applicant will need to be able to access sites in Worcestershire and its environs in the