At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in building confidence and exploring new opportunities through engaging sessions.
- Company: Join Barnardo's, a leading charity dedicated to empowering youth.
- Benefits: Flexible hybrid working, competitive leave, and a supportive work culture.
- Other info: Inclusive environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
Are you ready for a new challenge? Do you have a passion for working with young people, helping them grow in confidence, discover their strengths, and explore new opportunities? If so, we would love to hear from you!
Location: This is a hybrid role, combining work from home with work in the community. You will also have access to our Barnardo’s office in Taunton if you would like to use this space.
Working Hours: Negotiable, up to 37 hours per week, including some evening work (fixed term until 31st March 2027).
About the Role: The Barnardo’s Co-op Partnership is an exciting and innovative programme aiming to support more than one million young people to build positive futures. Our Sedgemoor for our Future service is co-designed with young people and centred around a welcoming, inclusive youth space where young people can feel safe, connected, and empowered to take part in meaningful experiences.
Using a youth work approach, we support young people to:
- Build positive relationships and develop a strong sense of belonging
- Grow in confidence, resilience, and self-esteem
- Take part in a wide range of activities, including creative, practical, and food-based sessions
- Explore issues that matter to them and have their voices heard
- Develop teamwork, communication, and essential life skills for the future
Session Details: You must be available to lead the following weekly sessions:
- Tuesdays – Highbridge, 4:30pm–6:00pm
- Wednesdays – Bridgwater, 4:30pm–6:00pm
As part of your role, you will plan and deliver engaging, youth-led sessions in a variety of settings, including community venues and schools. You will build trusted relationships with young people, create inclusive spaces that meet diverse needs, and support them to achieve positive outcomes. You will also contribute to community engagement, develop creative approaches to reaching young people across Sedgemoor, and support ongoing evaluation through reflective practice and outcome recording.
What We’re Looking For:
- Experience working with children, young people, and families
- Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection procedures, with experience applying this in practice
- Excellent listening and communication skills with a diverse range of children, young people, and families
- Creativity and confidence in designing inclusive workshops and group sessions
- Good written and IT skills to accurately record case notes
- Flexibility to adapt to the needs and interests of young people
When applying, please refer specifically to the Person Specification and Job Description, explaining how your skills and experience meet the requirements. Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.
Pay Reward Framework: We know that our colleagues go above and beyond in delivering our vital work, driven by their passion and commitment to Barnardo’s values. We also know that we can only realise our ambitions and achieve better outcomes for more children, thanks to the talent, hard work, and creativity of our people. For all these reasons, we are committed to a new approach to pay and reward, to ensure it is fair, attractive, and progressive, which was rolled out in April 2023. This is a positive change for the charity, and a part of our People Culture Strategy. It will assist us in supporting colleagues to belong, thrive, and grow in their colleague journey at Barnardo’s and in time will offer clear routes of progression for colleagues in both their career and their pay.
Benefits Workplace Offer: Our hybrid working initiative is based on trust, flexibility, and empowerment. We understand our workplace offer means different things to different people, and we encourage those conversations. This may mean working at one of our stores, services, working at home, in the community, at one of our Collaboration Hubs or depending on the role any combination of these. Please read through the advert carefully to understand the remits of hybrid working that will be specific to the role.
Barnardo’s require colleagues to be UK residents, based in the UK and to complete their roles from within the UK (with the exception of colleagues providing Barnardo’s services in Jersey and colleagues who live in the Republic of Ireland providing services in Northern Ireland). Barnardo’s believe in creating equality of opportunity in the workplace and supporting people to manage their work-life balance; we are therefore open to offering flexible working arrangements.
Annual Leave entitlement for full-time colleagues is 26 days per annum, increasing to 27 days per annum after 3 years Barnardo’s service, 29 days per annum after 5 years Barnardo’s service, and 30 days per annum after 7 years Barnardo’s service. Those working less than full time are entitled to the same level of holiday pro rata.
The ability to buy up to another 5 days annual leave via our Buy Your Leave scheme.
A host of family friendly leave options including company Maternity, Paternity, and Adoption pay; together with all family additional leave options.
Service related sick pay from day 1.
Access to a Group Personal Pension with a matched 4% or 6% contribution from Barnardo’s. Ability to pay via salary sacrifice to garner both tax and NI savings on your own contribution.
Death in service cover of 4x annual earnings for all staff contributing to our Group Personal Pension.
Cycle2work scheme.
Interest free season ticket loans.
Discounts and cashback from high street shops including major supermarkets, cinemas, gyms, leisure/theme parks, holidays, and much more via our Benefit Portal.
20% discount at Barnardo’s stores.
Opportunity to purchase a health cash plan to claim towards dental, glasses, therapy etc.
Free access to round the clock employee assistance program for advice and support.
Access to Barnardo’s Learning and Development offer.
About Barnardo’s: We are committed to being an inclusive employer and cultivating a culture where everyone can belong and thrive through inclusion and connectivity. We want our workforce to be reflective of the communities we work with, and for equality, diversity, and inclusion to be embedded in everything we do. We are a Disability Confident Leader, are progressing our ambition to be an anti-racist organisation with Anti-Racism Commitments and actions in place and have networks for colleagues who are disabled, LGBT+, Black and Minoritised Ethnic and Women. We particularly encourage applications from Black and Minoritised Ethnic and/or disabled candidates who are currently underrepresented in our workforce. For disabled applicants, we offer reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process.
SEN Youth Worker in Somerset employer: BARNARDOS
Barnardo's is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees while making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people. With a flexible hybrid working model, generous annual leave, and a commitment to professional development, staff are empowered to thrive in a supportive and inclusive environment. Our culture fosters creativity and collaboration, ensuring that every team member feels valued and has the opportunity to contribute to positive community outcomes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land SEN Youth Worker in Somerset
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research Barnardo's values and mission. When you understand what they stand for, you can tailor your conversations to show how your passion aligns with their goals.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. Ask them about their experiences and any tips they might have for standing out in the interview process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for those tricky questions! Think about scenarios where you've demonstrated your skills in working with young people. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a quick thank-you email. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace SEN Youth Worker in Somerset
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion:When you're writing your application, let your passion for working with young people shine through! Share specific experiences that highlight how you've helped them grow and discover their strengths.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to refer specifically to the Person Specification and Job Description. We want to see how your skills and experience align with what we're looking for, so don’t hold back on those details!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your writing clear and to the point. Use simple language and avoid jargon. This will help us understand your message better and see how you communicate effectively with young people.
Apply Early!:Due to the high volume of applications, it’s best to apply as soon as possible. Head over to our website and get your application in before the closing date – we can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at BARNARDOS
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly read the job description and person specification. Understand the key responsibilities and how your experience aligns with them. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Passion
As a SEN Youth Worker, your passion for helping young people is crucial. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you've positively impacted young people's lives in the past. This could be through creative workshops or building trusting relationships—let your enthusiasm shine!
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and understanding of safeguarding procedures. Think of real-life situations you've encountered and how you handled them. This will demonstrate your practical knowledge and ability to adapt to the needs of young people.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of activities you'll be leading, or how success is measured in this role. This shows your interest and helps you gauge if the organisation is the right fit for you.
