At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead detached youth work sessions and build trusted relationships with young people in the community.
- Company: Join M13 Youth Project, a leader in innovative youth work for over 30 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, pension contributions, and ongoing professional development.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and a supportive team environment await you.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while shaping the future of youth work.
- Qualifications: Experience in detached youth work and strong leadership skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 28523 - 34861 £ per year.
Relationships change lives. Lead M13 Youth Project's YEF Detached Youth Work Project and help young people flourish through trusted relationships.
At M13 Youth Project, we believe every young person deserves trusted adults who believe in them, walk alongside them and help them discover who they are, what they have to offer and the difference they can make. For over 30 years, we've built those relationships through detached youth work - meeting young people where they choose to be, listening deeply and creating opportunities for belonging, belief and hope.
We're now looking for an experienced Detached Youth Work Project Lead to join our team and play a central role in one of the UK's most ambitious detached youth work research pilots. M13 is leading the Greater Manchester consortium delivering the Youth Endowment Fund (YEF) Detached Youth Work Pilot. The Pilot aims to build a strong evidence base for researching detached youth work, combining outstanding frontline practice with rigorous evaluation to shape the future of youth work nationally.
Reporting to the Founding Director, you'll provide the day-to-day leadership of M13's delivery of the pilot. You'll lead a small team of detached youth workers, coordinate operational delivery across intervention neighbourhoods and ensure the project is delivered safely, consistently and in line with the YEF Shared Practice Model and research requirements. This is first and foremost a practice leadership role. You'll spend much of your week out in parks, streets and neighbourhoods, building trusted relationships with young people through high-quality detached youth work.
Alongside this, you'll supervise and support colleagues, oversee monitoring and reporting, build positive relationships with community members and partner organisations, and, together with the Founding Director, work closely with the Centre for Evidence and Implementation (CEI) and consortium partners to ensure the successful delivery of the project.
We're looking for someone who is an experienced detached youth worker, confident leading others and passionate about relational practice. You'll be organised, reflective and proactive, with experience of supervising staff, coordinating projects, maintaining high-quality records and working collaboratively with partners. Most importantly, you'll share our belief that relationships are the foundation for meaningful change.
This is a 35-hour per week, office- and community-based role. Your week will include six detached youth work sessions (three afternoons and three evenings), alongside team leadership, partnership working, supervision, monitoring and project coordination. Some flexibility can be offered around when office-based work is undertaken, where operationally possible.
In return, we offer a supportive, reflective and values-led working environment, regular supervision, ongoing professional development, a generous employer pension contribution, TOIL for out-of-hours working, additional Christmas gift leave and the opportunity to contribute to nationally significant research that could shape the future of detached youth work.
If you're an experienced detached youth worker ready to combine excellent frontline practice with leadership, learning and innovation, we'd love to hear from you.
Key information
- Employer: M13 Youth Project
- Locations: Manchester
- Role Type: Fixed term
- Salary: This post is paid at JNC Scale Point 20-21, full-time (37.5 hours) £38,016 - £38,945.
- Working Hours: Full-Time
- Working Hours Per Week: 35 hours per week (full-time is 37.5)
More about this role
- Closing Date: Wednesday 26th August 2026 at 12:00pm
- Anticipated Interview Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2026 - 13:00
- Contact Information: 07973 976925 helen@m13youthproject.org.uk
Employee Benefits
- Annual leave: Four weeks' annual leave plus public bank holidays (pro rata), together with three additional paid 'gift days' over the Christmas closure.
- Pension: A 6% employer pension contribution following completion of your probationary period. Your minimum employee contribution is just 1.6%.
- Flexible Time Off in Lieu (TOIL) for out-of-hours working, or overtime payments where appropriate.
- Regular supervision and reflective practice to support your wellbeing, learning and professional development.
- Ongoing training and development, including opportunities to develop your leadership, detached youth work practice and professional skills.
- The opportunity to play a leading role in the Youth Endowment Fund's Detached Youth Work Pilot, contributing to one of the UK's most significant evaluations of detached youth work.
- A supportive, experienced and values-led team committed to learning together and delivering outstanding youth work.
- The opportunity to influence the future development of M13 whilst contributing to the future of detached youth work locally and nationally.
Working Pattern Details: This work is over 5 days per week, Monday - Friday, and involves six sessions of detached youth work per week - three afternoon sessions and three evening sessions, finishing in neighbourhoods around 9pm - as well as time in the M13 office leading on the Pilot, leading, supporting and supervising a small staff team, coordinating staffing rotas, meeting with community partners from the Pilot Neighbourhoods.
Would You Consider A Job Share For The Role?: Yes
M13 YEF Detached Youth Work Project Lead in Manchester employer: Action Together
TLC: Talk, Listen, Change is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee growth and well-being, offering a supportive hybrid work environment in Greater Manchester. With a strong focus on professional development, generous leave policies, and a collaborative culture, employees are empowered to drive meaningful change while enjoying a healthy work-life balance. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to making a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land M13 YEF Detached Youth Work Project Lead in Manchester
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Action Together.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Action Together!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Action Together, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Action Together or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace M13 YEF Detached Youth Work Project Lead in Manchester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Action Together:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Action Together! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action Together
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
