Inspire Address: Inspire, Lindbergh Road, Ipswich, Suffolk IP3 9QX Salary: £24,762 - £27,502 per annum Hours: 37.5 hours per week Contract: Permanent, Required as soon as possible Reference: 0602 Your role will be to work as part of a frontline team to deliver quality youth and community work, which engages young people, through informal learning opportunities that provide support, direction and empower participants to achieve their potential. In this Senior Youth and Community Practitioner role, you will be delivering high-quality youth and community work across schools and local settings, including open-access sessions, 1-to-1 support, group work in schools, detached work, and holiday programmes. You will build purposeful, trusting relationships with young people, supporting their social, emotional, physical, and educational development while helping them set goals and access the right support. While leading on creating safe, engaging opportunities that enable young people to influence decisions, develop skills, and take an active role in their community. You will work to clear programme targets, uphold professional standards and safeguarding requirements, and maintain strong partnerships with families, schools, and local organisations. Key objectives of role Deliver a range of youth work provisions, including open-access provisions, one-to-one support, group work in schools and detached youth work. Create and deliver safe, innovative, ways to engage young people, which are responsive to the needs of young people. Develop voluntary and trusting purposeful relationships to facilitate non-formal and informal education, to build ‘soft’ skills, ‘hard’ skills and, empower individuals. To proactively achieve programme KPI’s and contractual targets. To take personal responsibility for the understanding and application of the Inspire values and the Youth Work Code of Ethics. Main responsibilities Deliver youth and community work sessions (e.g., drop-ins, mobile work, 1-to-1s, assemblies), including our holiday club programmes. Our commitment to youth voice throughout our programmes means this role will include evening work and possible weekends. Provide individual mentoring and support in schools and community settings, helping young people set and work towards appropriate goals. Support young people’s social, emotional, physical, and educational development, building their skills, confidence, and decision-making abilities. Empower and signpost young people through one-to-one and group work, helping them overcome challenges and access additional support. Plan and take part in community projects and programmes that enable young people to express themselves, raise concerns, and explore future options. Champion youth voice, ensuring young people influence decision-making, programme delivery, and opportunities for leadership. Build and maintain strong local networks, acting as a key point of contact for young people, families, partners, and community organisations. Ensure safe, high-quality delivery, including managing behaviour, maintaining resources, recording data, supervising staff/volunteers, and following safeguarding, health & safety, and data protection guidelines. What you will need At least eighteen months experience of youth work. Full driving licence and access to a car, due to travel across Suffolk. About us Inspire is a charity dedicated to helping young people discover their purpose and fulfil their potential. In 2024, over 7,000 young people turned to us for support, guidance, and opportunities. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every young person deserves the chance to lead a confident and fulfilling life. That’s why we focus on all aspects of wellbeing—mental, physical, emotional, and social—to equip young people with the tools and guidance they need to succeed. To make that all possible, we have an eclectic mix of brilliant people working to do great things for others. We’re committed to creating a supportive working environment where both our team and the young people we serve can thrive. We will offer you Join our fantastic team at Inspire and enjoy a range of benefits to enhance your own well-being, improve your work-life balance and most importantly make a difference to the lives of the young people we work with. Here is what makes us a great place to work: Career development: We invest in your future with access to training and opportunities for career advancement within the organisation. Your birthday off! After a successful probation period you will be awarded an additional day’s leave to celebrate your birthday so you can enjoy your special day without having to worry about work. Gifted leave: We understand the importance of quality time with loved ones and that is why we gift additional annual leave over the Christmas period to staff, allowing you to fully enjoy the festive break. Annual leave and Pension contributions accrual: We recognise and reward your commitment. The longer you stay, the more annual leave and pension contributions you will accrue because loyalty deserves to be celebrated. Childcare support: We understand and recognise the importance of family and that’s why we offer your children free places (aged between 5-11 years) at our holiday clubs, making it easier for you to balance your work and family life. Uniform: We make sure you feel part of the team with a professional, high-quality uniform provided at no cost to you. Free parking: Enjoy the convenience of free car parking at all of our sites. We believe in equality, diversity and inclusion. We are committed to welcoming, respecting and valuing people for who they are as individuals, learning from their differences, embracing their uniqueness, and providing a positive workplace for all. For more information To find out more, please contact Jackie Partridge, Head of Services, by emailing jackiep@inspirecharityuk.org How to apply To apply, please send your Covering Letter and CV (Curriculum Vitae) to Jackie Partridge, by email to jackiep@inspirecharityuk.org Closing date: 11.30 pm, 22 February 2026. Interview date: Early March 2026.