At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and develop engaging youth programmes for young people in East Belfast.
- Company: Walkway Community Association, a modern community-focused charity.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday leave, pension contributions, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and a supportive team environment.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the lives of young people while shaping community-based youth services.
- Qualifications: Professional qualification in Community Youth Work and at least three years' experience.
The predicted salary is between 30200 - 32350 £ per year.
- Centre Based Youth Worker (3648614) Belfast, Northern Ireland
- Job Title
- Centre-Based Youth Worker
- Location
- Walkway Community Association, East Belfast
Approximate salary for 30 hours per week: £30,200–£32,350 per annum, subject to payroll calculations.
Contract Type
30 hours per week, funded until 31 March 2027, with the possibility of extension to 31 March 2029.
The role includes regular evening sessions and occasional weekend work to meet the needs of young people.
The Role
Charity Jobs NI is delighted to be representing Walkway Community Association in the recruitment of an experienced and passionate Centre-Based Youth Worker.
This is an excellent opportunity for a professionally qualified youth worker to lead and develop high-quality youth provision for children and young people in East Belfast.
Working from Walkway Community Association’s modern community facility, you will take day-to-day responsibility for the youth work programme, delivering services in line with the Youth Work Curriculum for Northern Ireland and responding to the needs of local young people.
Alongside direct youth work, you will supervise staff and volunteers, build partnerships, manage budgets and funding requirements, and maintain high standards of safeguarding, monitoring and programme delivery.
This role may appeal to experienced Senior Youth Workers, Community Youth Workers, Youth Development Workers, Youth Programme Coordinators, Youth Services Coordinators or Youth Work Managers looking for an opportunity to lead and shape community-based youth provision.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, develop and coordinate Walkway Community Association’s youth work programme.
- Work directly with young people to identify needs and deliver engaging programmes and development opportunities.
- Develop and implement annual youth work plans aligned with organisational priorities and the Youth Work Curriculum for Northern Ireland.
- Build trusted relationships with young people, providing support, advice and advocacy.
- Encourage meaningful youth participation in programmes and the development of the centre.
- Supervise, support and develop paid staff and volunteers.
- Design, monitor and evaluate youth work projects, including group work, residential and outdoor activities.
- Build effective partnerships with community organisations, agencies and youth service providers across East Belfast and beyond.
- Lead on safeguarding within the youth provision and act as Designated Officer for the protection of children and young people.
- Manage budgets, funding requirements, monitoring information, reporting and relevant administration.
- Support fundraising activity and grant applications where required. Ensure appropriate health and safety, security and organisational procedures are followed.
Person Specification / About You
You will need
- A professional qualification in Community Youth Work, or an equivalent qualification recognised under current JNC Youth and Community regulations.
- At least three years’ post-qualifying experience working at a senior level within youth work.
- Experience of managing and developing youth services, programmes or projects.
- Experience of supervising staff and volunteers and managing budgets and premises.
- Strong experience of partnership working and engaging with the wider community.
- Experience of monitoring, evaluation, quality assurance and report writing.
- Experience of designing and facilitating developmental group work.
- Good knowledge of safeguarding, health and safety and the issues affecting young people in a community setting.
- Experience of engaging young people who may be considered harder to reach.
- The ability to plan needs-led programmes aligned with the Youth Work Curriculum for Northern Ireland.
- An understanding of equal opportunities and CRED principles.
- Strong communication, IT and organisational skills.
- A commitment to improving outcomes for young people and flexibility to work evenings and weekends.
- Access to transport, or a suitable alternative, to meet the requirements of the role.
A full UK driving licence, A1/A2/A3 Assessor Awards or a teaching certificate would be desirable but is not essential.
- 25 days’ annual leave per year, plus statutory public holidays.
- 3% employer pension contribution, with a 5% employee contribution.
- The opportunity to lead and shape an ambitious youth programme in East Belfast.
- A modern community-based working environment with a committed staff and volunteer team.
- Opportunities for professional development and longer-term growth, subject to continued funding.
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Centre Based Youth Worker employer: Happy Jobs NI
As a leading infrastructure and civil engineering contractor in Northern Ireland, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic work culture that values collaboration and innovation. Our employees benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and a supportive environment that encourages growth and leadership. Join us to be part of a team that is committed to delivering excellence while making a meaningful impact in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Centre Based Youth Worker
✨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 Happy Jobs NI.
✨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 Happy Jobs NI!
✨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 Happy Jobs NI, 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 Happy Jobs NI 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 Centre Based Youth Worker
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 Happy Jobs NI:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Happy Jobs NI! 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 Happy Jobs NI
✨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.
