At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and empower disadvantaged youth, promoting wellbeing and employability.
- Company: Join a dynamic team dedicated to making a difference in young people's lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, generous pension, and comprehensive training.
- Other info: Fixed-term role until June 2029 with excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by helping young people overcome challenges and thrive.
- Qualifications: Experience with NEET youth and a passion for community support.
The predicted salary is between 26679 - 31325 £ per year.
Post: Key Worker x7 – Over to YOUth Project
Salary: Grade 5 salary scale: £26,679 - £31,325 per annum
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract Status: Fixed term (Specific Funding) – until 30th June 2029
Location: Belfast
About the service: The Over to YOUth project is part of SEUPB’s Youth Programme under Theme 3.2 “Empowering & Investing in Our Young People.” This is a cross-border initiative designed to support disadvantaged & marginalized youth aged 14-24 years across Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland. This will be a targeted capacity building 6-month programme with intensive weekly engagement across 3-4 days a week, providing opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to share the same space and learn from each other as an effective way to eliminate prejudice and promote mutual respect.
As a Key Worker you will ideally have knowledge of the issues facing young people who are deemed as NEET (not in training education or employment) or have an awareness of the challenges this can bring and will be able to draw use this experience in a positive and constructive way to help and support young people. You will work with service users to improve their quality of lives within their community by promoting wellbeing, independence, healthy choices and training & employability options. One will need to be resilient enough and open minded to deal with some of the challenges that such complex needs can present.
The closing date for all completed applications is: 12:00pm on 31st August 2026.
EXTERN offer a competitive benefits package including:
- 26 days annual leave, increasing to 28 days after 3 years’ service and 32 days after 5 years’ service
- 11 statutory holidays
- Generous pension, employer contribution of 6.5%
- Enhanced Occupational Sick Pay, Maternity Pay and Paternity Pay
- Life Assurance and Wellbeing Programmes
- Comprehensive induction and training
- Regular Supervision
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Bike To Work Scheme
EXTERN IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES EMPLOYER
Key Worker – Over to YOUth Project in Belfast employer: Extern
EXTERN is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its Key Workers at Maghaberry Prison. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, comprehensive training, and generous benefits such as enhanced leave and pension contributions, EXTERN empowers its staff to make a meaningful impact in the rehabilitation of offenders while promoting personal and professional growth. Join us in creating safer communities through transformative support and guidance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Key Worker – Over to YOUth Project in Belfast
✨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 Extern.
✨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 Extern!
✨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 Extern, 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 Extern 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 Key Worker – Over to YOUth Project in Belfast
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 Extern:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Extern! 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 Extern
✨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.
