Overview
Job Title: 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
Qualifications
* Essential Criteria
* 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
* 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
* 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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