At a Glance
- Tasks: Deliver engaging youth clubs and programmes for young people aged 11-17 across Wakefield.
- Company: Join the dynamic team at Wakefield Council, dedicated to empowering youth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holiday, hybrid working, and extensive training opportunities.
- Other info: Flexible hours, including evenings and weekends, with a focus on youth voice.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building a rewarding career.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in Youth Work or commitment to complete within 2 years.
The predicted salary is between 27255 - 31022 £ per year.
This is an exciting opportunity to deliver work mostly around Castleford, Airedale, Pontefract and Knottingley and at the Hut Youth Hub, with the ability to work across the whole District as part of the District Wide Youth Work team, delivering youth clubs, detached work and youth programmes for young people aged 11-17.
The Early Intervention and Prevention Service works with many partners in Wakefield, as part of Wakefield Families Together. Wakefield Families Together brings services together, to join up how we work, so that it’s easier for children, young people and families to find and access the support they need, at the earliest opportunity.
The Youth Work team in Wakefield is an exciting and fast developing team that seeks to:
- Deliver work with young people at the centre of everything we do.
- Lead on the development and coordination of district-wide, regional and national youth work programmes and interventions.
- Plan and deliver district wide youth work in schools, youth centres, outdoor spaces and through detached work on the streets.
- Ensure there is sufficient and appropriate youth provision for young people across the district.
- Deliver structured, informal learning opportunities for young people who may not have other access to safe spaces and trusted adults.
- Work with colleagues and wider partners to identify funding opportunities to secure additional resources to meet gaps in the youth offer and ensure increased opportunities for vulnerable and underrepresented young people to engage in youth activity.
The main duties of the Youth and Community Support Practitioner are to:
- Deliver and develop youth clubs, detached youth work and school sessions.
- Work with the team and youth sector partners to strengthen youth work and work with young people across the district.
- Increase the number of young people participating in youth voice and influence activities.
- Grow the service’s online youth work presence and detached offer with partners.
- Identify gaps and build provision for young people where it is needed most.
We are looking for someone who is:
- Passionate about working with young people.
- Looking to build a strong career in youth work.
- Experienced in delivering high quality youth work with a healthy dose of fun.
- Able to include youth voice in the planning and delivery of work that responds to the needs of young people.
- Willing to work flexibly, working regular evenings and occasional weekends to best meet the needs of young people.
Essential requirements:
- A level 3 qualification in Youth Work or a commitment to complete this within 2 years.
- A full driving licence and own vehicle (unless unable to drive due to disability).
- Experience of working with young people.
What can I expect?
- A competitive salary.
- Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave.
- Hybrid working (subject to role suitability).
- Access to high-quality training programmes to advance your career to the next level.
- We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work life balance as well as supportive leadership.
- Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
- Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
- Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise programme, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more.
If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact:
Name: Rosie Ellingham or Vicky Brookes
Tel: 07345430363 or 07345431580
E-mail: rellingham@wakefield.gov.uk or vickybrookes@wakefield.gov.uk
Company: Wakefield Council
Salary: £12,790.00 – £12,959.50 JNC 5-6
Location: Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Sector: Health and Social Care
Job Role: Support Worker
Youth Worker x 2 in Wakefield employer: Kirklees Metropolitan Council
Wakefield Council is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and dynamic work environment for Youth Workers. With a strong emphasis on employee wellbeing, generous holiday entitlements, and access to high-quality training programmes, staff are encouraged to grow their careers while making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people across Wakefield. The council's commitment to flexible working arrangements and a collaborative culture ensures that employees can thrive both personally and professionally in this vibrant community.
Contact Details:
Kirklees Metropolitan Council Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Worker x 2 in Wakefield
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council.
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council!
✨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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council, 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council 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 Youth Worker x 2 in Wakefield
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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kirklees Metropolitan Council! 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 Kirklees Metropolitan Council
✨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.