Deputy Manager

About us

SoapBox Islington is an open access youth centre, delivering "21st Century Youth Work" (The Guardian) run by the Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust (Charity Number Located in the heart of Old Street (EC1V), SoapBox supports young people aged who live, study, or work in Islington and surrounding areas.

We provide a safe, inclusive, and creative space where young people can explore their interests, develop new skills, and connect with others. Our programmes combine youth work, play, creativity, and technology, offering opportunities in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths), music production, eSports, digital media, performing arts, employability, and health & wellbeing.

At the core of SoapBox is a youth-led ethos – young people help shape our activities, events, and direction through ongoing feedback and participation. We work to remove barriers to engagement, supporting those with additional needs, those at risk of exclusion, and those seeking new pathways into education, training, or employment.

SoapBox is part of the Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust, a charity dedicated to inclusion, innovation, and community development. Together, we are committed to creating accessible spaces, fostering intergenerational collaboration, and empowering young people to thrive in an ever-changing world.

About the role

SoapBox Youth Centre, part of the Covent Garden Dragon Hall Trust, is seeking a passionate and qualified Senior Youth & Play Worker to lead our Afterschool Club (ASC) and support the delivery of engaging, inclusive, and developmental youth work sessions for young people aged This role combines hands-on youth work delivery with administrative and leadership responsibilities. The postholder will oversee the daily running of the ASC, ensure the collection and entry of monitoring data, and act as the senior lead youth worker during evening youth work sessions.

We are seeking a compassionate and skilled professional with experience of supporting girls and young women facing a range of emotional, social and practical difficulties. The successful candidate will provide tailored support, advocacy, and guidance to empower girls and young women to improve their wellbeing, safety and independence.The successful candidate will be a confident communicator, experienced in youth engagement, safeguarding, and programme delivery, with a strong understanding of youth work values and inclusive practice.

• Lead the delivery of the 3 x weekly After School Clubs (ASC), ensuring activities are engaging, inclusive, and responsive to young people's interests and needs;
• Act as the senior lead youth worker during evening youth work sessions, providing supervision and guidance to sessional staff, volunteers, and trainees;
• Oversee data entry and record-keeping, maintaining accurate attendance records, session evaluations, and outcome tracking in line with funder and organisational requirements;
• Support planning and coordination of weekly and termly programmes, working with the team to ensure alignment with SoapBox's wider youth offer;
• Contribute to safeguarding and wellbeing, ensuring young people are supported and that concerns are reported in line with policy;
• Build positive relationships with young people, promoting their personal, social, and emotional development;
• Assist with administrative duties such as report writing, communications, and session planning;
• Work collaboratively with the management team to support programme development, staff training, and youth-led initiatives.

Essential

• Minimum Level 3 qualification in Youth Work or Play Work (or related sector);
• Current Enhanced DBS (otherwise one will need to be completed prior to starting work);
• Minimum 3 years of experience working with young people aged in a youth or community setting;
• Strong leadership and organisational skills, with experience of supervising staff or volunteers;
• Good administrative and IT skills, including data entry and report writing;
• Understanding of safeguarding, equality, and inclusive youth work practice;
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills;
• Willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends;
• Current Enhanced DBS (or willingness to complete one with SoapBox).
• Direct experience working with girls and young women facing difficulties (e.g trauma, abuse, mental health, homelessness, substance misuse, cultural or social barriers);
• Strong understanding of the issues affecting girls and young women's wellbeing and safety.

Desirable

• Bachelors dregree in youth-work or social care equivalent
• Experience leading afterschool or play-based programmes;
• Knowledge of local youth services and community networks;
• Experience supporting young people facing barriers to engagement or education

For more information, please contact Nicholas Crivello via email - or via phone

Job Type: Fixed term contract

Contract length: 12 months

Pay: £25,000.00-£27,330.00 per year

Benefits:

• Bereavement leave
• Casual dress
• Company pension
• Sick pay

Work Location: In person