Participation and Vocational Youth Worker

At Esteem young people aged 14-26 can realise their strength to cope with life’s challenges and thrive into their futures.

Our community is grounded in trust and respect, and built with young people for young people.

We run a transformational range of free to access sessions which wouldn’t be available without us. Sessions include a range of group activities, 1:1 support including counselling and mentoring, and space to give back through volunteering, participation and paid opportunities.

Esteem works with 250 young adults annually across all of Sussex who face multiple social barriers to achieving their life goals.

Due to our success, we have an exciting opportunity for an additional youth worker to join our team. Esteem has experienced significant growth over the past five years. This role builds on our existing ‘Esteem Team’ Project, and our previous Mentoring and Vocational Youth Work Coordinator role.

In the role you will support young adults to develop their skills, confidence and networks, helping them to connect to the community and employment opportunities through:

- 1:1 sessions, identifying key support areas and offering encouragement and support to pursue skills development, work experience, and participation programs inside and outside of the organisation.
- Facilitate the “The Esteem team”, a participatory group of young adults who meet twice weekly to help run the organisation. The Esteem team’s activities are decided by young adults in the group. Regular activities include, making and contributing to important organisational decisions, taking on tasks to keep the building operating, and creating and delivering their own projects, such as the inter-generational sessions.
- Coordinating a schedule of workshops throughout the year aiming to support work and employability skills alongside hands-on work-based skills training and visits.

Young adults tell us that they are looking for someone in this role who will give them the time and space they need to thrive, understanding them as individuals.

This role is vital in providing wrap-around support, connecting young adults to other Esteem opportunities, such as mentoring, well-being, and social activities. Importantly the role will include building relationships with other organisations to connect young adults to relevant external opportunities, including work experience opportunities.

**Your regular tasks and responsibilities will include**

**Provide 1:1 Vocational and Progression Support**
- Offer tailored 1:1 support to young adults to identify their goals and next steps in work, training, and skills development.
- Signpost and refer young adults to Esteem’s mentoring, wellbeing, and counselling services where appropriate.
- Connect young adults to external and internal opportunities, such as volunteering, work placements, and vocational training.

**Design and Deliver Skills Workshops**
- Plan, coordinate, and facilitate a rolling programme of workshops focused on employability, practical skills, and personal development.
- Recruit participants through outreach to the local community and existing Esteem networks.
- Work with young adults to co-design and co-deliver workshops, supporting peer leadership and lived-experience sharing.
- Liaise with external facilitators and partner organisations to enhance the workshop offer.

**Lead Group Participation Activities**
- Facilitate twice-weekly sessions with “The Esteem Team” - a youth-led participation group shaping and delivering projects within the organisation and local community.
- Support young adults to take initiative in running projects, making organisational decisions, and contributing to the day-to-day running of Esteem.
- Use group work as a means to foster confidence, connection, and access to wider community opportunities.

**Build Partnerships and Expand Opportunities**
- Develop relationships with local businesses, organisations, and training providers to increase meaningful vocational opportunities for young adults.
- Champion Esteem’s work and create routes into supported work experience, internships, and community engagement.

**Monitor Impact and Manage Resources**
- Maintain accurate records, including attendance, feedback, impact measures, and risk assessments.
- Track and manage budgets related to workshops and group activities.
- Regularly review and adapt activities to ensure they are relevant, inclusive, and accessible to all young adults.

**Safeguarding and Integrated Support**
- Uphold Esteem’s safeguarding procedures and report concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Promote Esteem’s full offer of support internally and externally, helping young adults navigate and engage with the range of available services.

**Person Specification**

Esteem seeks an individual with experience in the voluntary youth or community sector, with direct experience working with children & young people in a strengths-based and participatory way. You must be able to d