Senior Youth Support Worker – Problematic Substance Use Focus
Location: Efford Youth & Community Centre, Blandford Road, Plymouth, PL3 6HU
Base: Efford Youth & Community Centre (with partnership and city-wide working)
Salary: JNC SCP 11–14, £29,644 – £33,066 per annum
Contract Type: Full time, fixed‑term
Contract Period: 1 April 2026 – 31 March 2027
Hours per week: 37
Weeks per year: 52
* Please note, this role is not eligible for visa sponsorship and we can only consider applicants with existing right to work in the UK.
The Role
Plymouth City Council is seeking a Senior Youth Support Worker (Problematic Substance Use) to join its Community Youth Team. This is a senior youth work role with a specialist focus on supporting young people affected by, or at risk of, problematic substance use, using a relationship‑based, harm reduction and prevention‑led youth work approach.
The primary focus of this role will be on vaping substances controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act, while also contributing to work related to other substances as required. While the post has a specialist focus, it also contributes to the wider responsibilities of a Senior Youth Support Worker, including leadership, quality assurance and service development across the Community Youth Team.
The role plays a key part in multi‑agency working, linking closely with the young people’s specialist problematic substance use service and other partners including CAMHS, The Zone, Youth Justice, education providers and the wider Community Youth Team. The post contributes to needs assessment, insight‑gathering, service development, preventative initiatives and the co‑creation of resources alongside young people, in line with national youth work standards.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and deliver planned and evaluated workshops, interventions and group work focused on problematic substance use, harm reduction and healthy lifestyle choices.
* Provide one‑to‑one targeted youth work support to young people experiencing or at risk of problematic substance use, supporting engagement and access to specialist services.
* Build and maintain trusting professional relationships with young people, creating safe spaces for discussion, reflection and informed decision‑making.
* Work collaboratively with problematic substance use specialists and wider partner agencies to ensure coordinated, holistic support for young people.
* Support preventative initiatives linked to exclusions from school, youth justice involvement and risk‑taking behaviours.
* Gather insight and feedback from young people to inform service development, including contributing to creative, youth‑led resources.
* Participate in the development of a virtual multi‑disciplinary team, strengthening joint working across CYP Treatment Services, CAMHS, The Zone and the PCC Youth Service.
Senior Responsibilities
* Provide sessional oversight, guidance and practice supervision to youth support workers and volunteers, ensuring high‑quality, safe and effective youth work delivery.
* Support the induction, development and reflective practice of staff, contributing to a positive team culture and continuous professional development.
* Lead on the planning, coordination and evaluation of youth work programmes and curriculum areas linked to problematic substance use and related risk behaviours.
* Maintain the quality‑of‑service provision in line with national youth work standards, PCC policies and safeguarding requirements.
* Contribute to monitoring performance, recording outcomes and evaluating impact, using PCC systems and agreed performance indicators.
* Maintain accurate records, risk assessments and reports, including administrative and data protection responsibilities, in line with PCC policies.
* Promote safeguarding, equality, participation and ethical youth work practice at all times.
What We Are Looking For
* Proven experience of working with young people in a youth work or related setting, delivering positive outcomes in line with national youth work standards.
* A relevant youth work or related qualification (minimum NVQ Level 2 or 3).
* GCSE English or Maths (or equivalent).
* A strong understanding of problematic substance use and its impact on young people, including risk, harm reduction and prevention.
* Excellent communication skills with the ability to build rapport and trust with young people from diverse backgrounds.
* Ability to plan, deliver and evaluate youth work programmes, both independently and as part of a team.
* Ability to work effectively as part of a multi‑disciplinary and multi‑agency team.
* A clear commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
* Commitment to continuous professional development.
* Ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends, in line with service need.
* Ability to travel across the city to different delivery sites.
Desirable
* A JNC‑endorsed Professional Qualification in Youth & Community Work, or working towards one.
* Experience of providing sessional supervision or practice support to staff or volunteers.
* Experience of partnership working within substance use, education, health or youth justice contexts.
* Experience contributing to service development, curriculum planning or quality assurance.
Additional Information
* This role requires an enhanced DBS check.
* The post involves partnership working, flexible delivery and participation in developing new practice models.
* This post is offered on a fixed‑term basis for the period 2026–2027.
* There is indicative funding for a potential extension from 2027–2029, subject to confirmation of funding and service priorities.
* This is a challenging but highly rewarding role, offering the opportunity to make a tangible difference to young people’s lives across Plymouth.
For Further Information
For more information or an informal conversation about the role, please contact:
Caroline Storer
Senior Professional Youth Worker
01752 306731
Caroline.storer@plymouth.gov.uk
Closing date
Wednesday 24 June 2026
Plymouth City Council is an equal opportunities employer. All applicants will be considered for employment regardless of age, care experience, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion/belief, sex or sexual orientation.
As part of our commitment to promoting equality we offer guaranteed interviews to those who meet the essential criteria and are considered disabled, care experienced or an Armed Forces Service Leaver within the last two years.
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