Dance Youth Worker

LOCATION: Wigan Youth Zone

SALARY: £12.35 per hour

BENEFITS:

• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) pro rata. Plus additional leave for length of service.
• Birthdays off,
• Gym access,
• Training and CPD including first aid, safeguarding and health and safety,
• Career development opportunities,
• Employee assistance programme,
• Strong team culture,
• Workplace pension,
• Free eye tests,
• Discounted to £2 access to holiday club for staff.

CLOSING DATE: 5th January 2026

HOURS: 13 hours - Permanent

WORK PATTERN:

Tuesday 4-8pm

Saturday 11-3pm & 4-9pm

All hours will be face-to-face delivery with young people and will include a weekend shift.

Hours may be split for multiple candidates dependent on if an internal candidate or not.

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR:

We are looking for someone who knows what is current when it comes to dance. Whether it's the latest TikTok Dance or freshest choreography. We want someone on the team who will listen to what young people want and take action to deliver it

To develop and deliver an exciting, engaging and inclusive programme of activities within the dance & performing arts studio which will engage young people aged 8 – 19 years (up to 25 for young people with SEND) at Wigan Youth Zone.

To support and work with our existing members to continue the development of our Cheerleading and/or Street Dance team. Experience in gymnastics is also desirable.

To utilise dance and performance in the wider youth work agenda, supporting and encouraging young people to express themselves, explore issues and facilitate personal development.

KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING:

• Knowledge of the issues affecting young people and an ability to work with challenging behaviour
• Understanding of the principles of working with children and ycoung people
• Knowledge of health and safety, diversity awareness and safeguarding best practice and how these relate to children and young people
• Delivery of activities within an equality framework

Qualifications:

• Dance Qualifications – Essential
• Gymnastics or Cheerleading experience/qualifications - Desirable
• IT Literate – Essential
• Introduction to Youth/Play Work, Youth and Community Work NVQ / VRQ Level 1 or Level 1 Sports Leaders Award – Desirable
• GCSE English and Maths grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications – Essential

Experience

• Extensive experience of delivering dance activities to young people - Essential
• Experience of working with young people - Essential
• Proven experience of engaging vulnerable, disengaged or hard to reach young people in dance activities - Desirable
• Experience of working in a team and alongside volunteers - Desirable
• Experience of monitoring and evaluation processes - Desirable
• Knowledge and understanding of how to develop and deliver a high quality and varied dance programme - Essential
• Sound knowledge of dance qualifications and the quality standards expected for the successful delivery of accredited dance activities - Essential
• Knowledge of health and safety, diversity awareness and safeguarding best practice and how these relate to children and young people - Essential
• Understanding of national and local initiatives which influence provision of youth work to young people - Essential
• Understanding of the principles of working with children and young people - Essential
• Understanding of issues affecting young people's lives - Essential
• Delivery of youth work within an equality framework - Desirable
• Knowledge of methods of organising and scheduling groups into teams and leagues for various sports activities - Essential
• First aid knowledge - Desirable
• Ability to identify and challenge discrimination and discriminatory behaviour, taking appropriate action as necessary - Essential

YOUR ROLE:

• To support the Head of Arts in the development and delivery of Dance activities at Wigan Youth Zone with a focus on Cheerleading and Street Dance.
• To become part of a forward thinking, innovative and motivated dance team and assist with the delivery of all aspects of Dance sessions with young people.
• To work well in a team bringing fresh skills & ideas to the current offer.
• To motivate, encourage and support young people to try Dance activities and participate fully in sessions.
• To break down any barriers to young people participating in the Dance programme of activities; · To become part of sessional staffing requirements for the Dance department.
• To support volunteers in sessions, coaching them to achieve their full potential within their given roles
• To deal with any problems that arise during Youth Zone sessions;
• Develop and maintain a professional relationship with the young people who attend the Dance Studio.
• Understand the needs of Wigan Youth Zone and communicate them in a clear, consistent way to the young people, parents and guardians.
• Prepare and deliver sessions that meet with Wigan youth zone rules and regulations.
• Work within the performance framework of Wigan Youth Zone and OnSide;
• Represent Wigan Youth Zone positively and effectively in all dealings with internal colleagues, and external partners;

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING:

• To be alert to issues of safeguarding child protection, ensuring the welfare and safety of Youth Zone members is promoted and safeguarded, and to report any child protection concerns to the designated Child Protection Officers using the safeguarding policies, procedures and practice (training to be provided);
• To assist with any promotional activities and visits that take place at the Youth Zone;
• To actively promote the Youth Zone and positively contribute towards increasing Youth Zone membership;
• To adhere to Wigan Youth Zone policies at all times, with reference to Health and Safety, Child Protection and Equal Opportunities.
• To carry out any other duty with the Youth Zone provision and facility operations, and within the competencies of the post holder, as directed by your line manager or a senior manager.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

• A willingness to work unsociable hours when required
• DBS clearance and committed to Safeguarding children
• The ability and willingness to travel to meetings and events both in the region and beyond

The job holder will be required to adhere to the Youth Zone's policies at all times, with particular emphasis on Equal Opportunities and Safeguarding. Attendance at events and conferences will sometimes be required.

In accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an enhanced DBS check and business satisfactory references.

Please note that in line with our Safeguarding Policy, you must be age 21 or over to work in our Senior Sessions and 19+ to work on our Junior Sessions and Holiday Clubs. All applicants must also be inactive as members for at least 12 months.

WHAT IS WIGAN YOUTH ZONE?

Wigan Youth Zone is a purpose built, state-of-the-art youth facility in Wigan town centre which opened in June 2013. It offers young people from across Wigan the opportunity to meet friends, have new experiences, learn new skills and access the support they need to develop and achieve their potential.

The Youth Zone is open to all young people across Wigan aged from 8 to 19 (up to 25 with additional needs), striving to offer something for everyone, regardless of their interests or abilities. With almost 15 dedicated areas to choose from including our four 40-metre floodlit football pitches, art room, music room and climbing wall – there's something for everyone here at Wigan Youth Zone.

Our aim is simple, to provide the town's young people with somewhere to go, something to do and someone to talk to.

WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO NEXT?

Please complete our application form here and return to

76% OF OUR TEAM WOULD RECOMMEND WIGAN YOUTH ZONE AS AN EMPLOYER TO THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: £12.35 per hour

Expected hours: 5 – 13 per week

Benefits:

• Additional leave
• Casual dress
• Company events
• Cycle to work scheme
• Gym membership
• Health & wellbeing programme
• On-site gym

Application question(s):

• Are you aged 21 or above?

Work Location: In person