Youth Resilience and Wellbeing Delivery Lead - Fixed term until 31 August 2027 in Newry

Responsible to: Head of Services

Base: Unit 1, Whitegates Enterprise Park, Killeavy Road, Newry, BT35 6UA

Hours: 30 hours per week

Fixed Term to 31 August 2027 (subject to funding)

Benefits:

• Pension: 6% employer contribution (subject to conditions)
• Annual Leave: 25 days per annum + 11 statutory holidays (pro-rata)
• Health Care: Axa Business Care (subject to conditions)

The Youth Resilience & Wellbeing Delivery Lead will be responsible for the frontline delivery, practice leadership and participant experience of Bolster Community's "No Filters" Social and Emotional Support Programme funded through Newry, Mourne and Down District Council's PEACEPLUS Strand 2 - Thriving and Peaceful Communities programme. Working under the direction of the Programme Lead, the postholder will lead the direct delivery of high-quality resilience and wellbeing programmes for young people aged 12–18 across 21 x 3 week programmes delivered throughout the seven District Electoral Areas of Newry, Mourne and Down.

The postholder will be responsible for delivering safe, engaging, trauma-informed and youth-centered interventions that support emotional wellbeing, resilience, digital safety, confidence, empathy and positive peer relationships, while promoting meaningful cross-community engagement. This role holds responsibility for practice quality, participant engagement, session delivery, safeguarding in delivery settings and collection of programme evidence. Responsibility for contract management, budget oversight, strategic partnerships and funder reporting remains with the Programme Lead.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Lead on the delivery of structured resilience and wellbeing sessions across multiple community venues, youth clubs and sports clubs.
• Deliver engaging, youth-centered workshops.
• Facilitate group discussions, experiential activities, team challenges and reflective learning exercises.
• Adapt session content and delivery methods to meet the needs, interests and developmental stages of participants.
• Support delivery of shared learning events, day trips and district-wide celebration activities.
• Build positive, trusted relationships with young people that encourage engagement, participation and personal growth.
• Create safe, inclusive and trauma-informed learning environments.
• Promote inclusion, empathy and positive peer relationships across diverse backgrounds.
• Encourage meaningful cross-community participation and relationship building.
• Support and mentor sessional facilitators, volunteers or placement staff involved in delivery.
• Contribute to ongoing programme development and adaptation based on participant feedback and emerging needs.
• Share best practice, reflective learning and delivery improvements with the wider programme team.
• Maintain day-to-day safeguarding responsibility during delivery sessions and escalate all concerns to the Programme Lead.
• Identify and respond appropriately to safeguarding concerns, disclosures, emotional distress or behavioural incidents.
• Ensure all safeguarding concerns are recorded and escalated in line with organisational procedures.
• Maintain professional boundaries and uphold best practice in youth engagement.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records of session updates, case studies, and participant outcomes.
• Contribute to evidence gathering for NMDDC and SEUPB reporting.

Health & Safety:

• Ensure all activities are delivered safely and in line with risk assessments.
• Support safe management of venues, transport, outdoor activities, and day trips.
• Respond appropriately to accidents, incidents, or wellbeing concerns.

This job description is neither exhaustive nor exclusive and may be reviewed in line with operational requirements and staffing needs.

Qualifications and Experience:

• A minimum of Level 3 qualification in Youth Work, Community Development, Child Development, Education, or a related field.
• A minimum of 2 years previous experience of working directly with young people aged 12–18.
• Delivering group programmes with young people aged 11–18.
• Youth engagement, facilitation, or community-based learning.
• Supporting emotional wellbeing, resilience, inclusion, or personal development.
• Managing safeguarding in youth or community settings.
• A sound understanding of the social and emotional needs of young people.
• Awareness of key issues affecting young people, including bullying (including online bullying), mental health, and peer relationships.
• An understanding of equality, diversity, and inclusion principles.
• Strong facilitation skills, alongside the ability to engage and motivate young people effectively.
• Creating a safe, inclusive, and participative learning environment.
• Well-developed communication and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to manage group dynamics and respond appropriately to challenging behaviour.
• Good organisational skills, with the ability to manage time effectively.
• Maintaining accurate records and following procedures.
• Enhanced AccessNI.
• Full driving licence and access to a vehicle for work-related travel.
• Flexibility to work evenings or weekends when required.
• Degree level qualification in Youth Work, Community Development, Psychology, Education, or a related discipline.
• Training in areas such as mental health awareness, trauma-informed practice, bullying prevention, or digital safety.
• PEACE, PEACEPLUS, SEUPB, or other funded programmes.
• Cross-community youth work in Northern Ireland.
• Awareness of PEACEPLUS or similar funded programmes and their objectives.
• The ability to design and adapt session plans to meet diverse needs.
• Competence in digital tools to support online safety awareness and programme delivery.