Overview
Job Description: Professional Youth Worker
Salary: £35,332.89 (Pay rise pending)
Hours: 37 hours/week (evenings and weekend work is required)
Location: Shropshire (travel required)
Contract Type: Permanent
About SYA
Our vision is that all young people are safe, valued and have a bright future.
Our mission therefore is to “Empower the young people of Shropshire, Telford & Wrekin through access to quality, affordable and tailored youth provision, promoting positive physical and mental health.
Role Overview
As a Professional Youth Worker, you’ll contribute towards the delivery and development of youth work across Shropshire. You’ll manage staff, support SYA and affiliated clubs, deliver training and activities. This is a hands-on role with a strong focus on direct youth engagement, volunteer development, and operational excellence.
You’ll report to the Area Manager and work closely with the CEO and wider team to ensure high-quality, inclusive, and impactful youth programmes.
Key Responsibilities
* Leadership & Strategy
* Contribute to SYA’s mission
* Support operational management and oversee activity programmes
* Represent SYA at meetings
* Assist with bid writing and business development where appropriate
* Youth Work Delivery (Minimum 75% of time)
* Deliver face-to-face youth sessions, clubs, and projects
* Design and lead engaging activities that promote personal development
* Ensure sessions meet contract specifications and quality standards
* Staff & Volunteer Management
* Utilise coaching and mentoring techniques to develop young people and volunteers into skilled practitioners
* Deliver and coordinate training programmes for young people and volunteers
* Promote a culture of continuous improvement and safeguarding
* Quality Assurance & Monitoring
* Implement NYA-aligned quality standards
* Conduct reviews and assessments of youth work delivery
* Ensure health & safety compliance, especially for trips and high-risk activities
* Administration & Reporting
* Maintain accurate records and monitoring data
* Attend meetings and contribute specialist knowledge
* Support marketing and communications across platforms
* Write and review risk assessments
* Who You’ll Be Responsible For
* SYA staff on lower pay scales
* Volunteers within SYA projects and independent clubs
* Young people participating in SYA activities
* Performance & Impact
* You’ll be expected to: Deliver youth work with a customer-focused mindset
* Collaborate with partners across the voluntary, public, and private sectors
* Meet service and personal development goals through supervision and review
Conditions of Service
* Flexible working hours with an annualised hours system (Equivalent to 37 hours PW)
* Evening and weekend work essential
* Must provide a suitable vehicle for work use (mileage reimbursed at HMRC rates)
* Subject to SYA’s employment contract and team handbook
Pre-Employment Checks
* Appointment is subject to:
* Satisfactory references
* Occupational health clearance if required
* Proof of qualifications
* Enhanced DBS check (including ongoing rechecks)
Person Specification: Professional Youth Worker
Essential Criteria
Qualifications
JNC Level 6 qualification in Youth Work.
Experience
Minimum 2 years’ experience delivering face-to-face youth work with young people aged 11–25
Experience managing or mentoring staff and/or volunteers in a youth work setting
Experience designing and delivering inclusive youth programmes and activities
Experience working within safeguarding frameworks and responding to concerns appropriately
Skills & Knowledge
Strong understanding of youth development, participation, and engagement strategies
Ability to plan, monitor, and evaluate youth work using recognised quality standards (e.g. NYA)
Competence in writing risk assessments and managing health & safety for youth activities, including trips
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport with young people and professionals
Ability to work independently, manage time effectively, and adapt to changing priorities
Personal Attributes
Passionate about empowering young people and promoting their physical and mental wellbeing
Committed to equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice
Flexible approach to working hours, including evenings and weekends
Other Requirements
* Enhanced clear DBS
* Access to a suitable vehicle for work use (mileage reimbursed at HMRC rates)
Desirable Criteria
The following would strengthen a candidate’s application:
Qualifications
Safeguarding, DSL, First Aid, Food hygiene
Experience
Experience in mentoring and coaching, Team building and developing social action projects
Experience working in partnership with schools, local authorities, and voluntary sector organisations
Experience delivering training to young people, staff, or volunteers
Skills & Knowledge
Familiarity with monitoring tools and reporting for commissioned youth work contracts
Digital literacy, including use of social media and online platforms for youth engagement
Understanding of trauma-informed practice and mental health support strategies
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