Youth Service Team Leader in Leeds

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the ongoing growth and development of Leeds Youth Service. You will lead on the operational oversight of Youth Work delivery across the city whilst supporting the strategic growth of the service with multiple stakeholders. As a Youth Service Team Leader, you’ll thrive on the delivery, development, and promotion of Youth Work, bringing value to Young People and Communities across Leeds.

About you

• A passion for working with young people and communities
• Significant experience of both leadership and management
• A proven track record of partnership working across multiple sectors
• The ability to implement and lead on multiple initiatives and projects simultaneously

About the role

You will have the opportunity to lead the implementation and growth of Youth Work provision across the city. You will embrace leading a team to ensure the needs of Young People and communities are met through developing a range of innovative projects to engage Young People in universal and targeted Youth Work Provision.

You will be responsible for promoting and embedding the Youth Work approach and Leeds Vision For Youth Work in a variety of environments and forums. You will be integral to the ongoing development of the service across the authority and the wider sector, embracing multiple opportunities to integrate the values of Youth Work and the voice of Young People at both operational and strategic levels.

What we offer you

• A competitive salary and annual leave entitlement plus statutory holidays
• Membership of the West Yorkshire Pension Fund with generous employer contributions
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements subject to service requirements
• A clear career pathway and continuing professional development opportunities
• A range of staff benefits to help you boost your wellbeing and make your money go further

How to apply

Please complete the online application form. If you have any queries or would like an informal chat about the role please contact James McCarthy, Youth Service Manager, Call 07712214993 or email james.mccarthy@leeds.gov.uk.

A disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check against the Children’s or Adults’ barred list as applicable will be carried out on preferred candidates. We welcome applications from everyone and actively seek a diverse range of applicants from all backgrounds and cultures. We particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to, women, carers, veterans as well as LGBT+, ethnically diverse, disabled and care experienced people.

This role is based in the UK. Home Office guidance states that candidates must evidence their right to work in the UK prior to commencing employment, either as a UK or Irish citizen, under the EU Settlement scheme or having secured any other relevant work visa.

Job Purpose: Working as part of the Management team to lead the continuous service improvement of Leeds Youth Service. Lead a team in providing high performing universal and targeted youth work delivery.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Youth Service Manager in developing a strategic plan for the delivery of targeted youth work across the city
• Lead, manage and supervise a team of staff within the framework of the council’s policies and conditions of service
• Facilitate the strategic development of the service by planning, delivering, monitoring and reviewing youth work provision
• Ensure that programmes are developed in response to the service, localities plans and Directorates objectives
• Take the lead responsibility for ensuring appropriate data is inputted onto the management information system
• Identify, secure and manage resources, budgets, external funding opportunities for youth work
• Inform service planning and development ensuring the right services are available to young people at the right time
• Ensure that Youth Service performance targets are met for a defined area of responsibility
• Ensure the effective performance management of staff to the required standards
• Recruitment and induction of appropriate practitioners
• Demonstrate high quality leadership and take responsibility for the professional development of teams and individuals
• Be a visible and active member of an integrated management team
• Manage relationships to ensure effective working with all appropriate services and partners
• Establish and implement service level agreements with partners and stakeholders
• Establish systems and engagement opportunities to enable all stakeholders to contribute to and influence the strategic development of Youth Service provision
• Work to agreed targets, monitor and report to deadlines on progress to the Youth Service Manager
• Ensure the opportunities available to young people are well publicised
• Take a lead responsibility for the care of premises, resources and equipment
• Use a Restorative Practice approach as an overarching ethos
• Promote and instigate appropriate use of information technology, processes and systems in service delivery
• Be proactive in safeguarding and promoting welfare of Children & Young People
• Ensure compliance with relevant legislation, national standards and best practice

Qualifications: Management qualification or equivalent transferable skills. The minimum qualification essential for this post is a JNC (Youth & Community) recognised Level 6 Youth Work qualification.

Essential requirements:

• Able to work with a minimum of supervision
• Able to effectively lead, support, manage, supervise and co-ordinate staff team
• Able to facilitate and support staff professional development
• Able to offer high level training, support and guidance to staff
• Able to promote and develop effective team working
• Able to establish and maintain effective working relationships with partner agencies and organisations
• Able to prepare and present clear and concise reports on complex issues
• Financial management experience including managing a budget
• Able to develop policy, operational and strategic plans
• Able to manage systems to safeguard young people’s welfare
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Able to undertake a flexible and varied working pattern
• Able to take a solution focused approach to challenges
• Positive view of young people and a commitment to a young person-centred approach
• Significant knowledge of outcome measurement methodologies relevant to youth work
• An in-depth understanding of safeguarding and related issues
• Extensive knowledge of local and national policies which influence youth work practices and priorities
• Thorough understanding of a range of differing approaches and responses to provision for young people
• Comprehensive understanding of the roles of a youth worker within this changing environment
• Substantial working knowledge of Health and Safety issues in working with young people
• Knowledge of Leeds City Council values and ways of working
• Excellent working knowledge and understanding of Outcome Based Accountability (OBA), restorative practice, Child Friendly City priorities and Leeds Vision for Youth Work
• Experience of managing youth work and staff, creating effective working relationships and maximising performance
• Experience of effectively recording and evaluating youth work
• Experience of developing and maintaining partnership working within a Youth work context
• Experience of managing diverse range of resources
• Experience of working within a team setting
• Substantial experience of involving young people in governance arrangements with measurable outcomes
• Proven track record of attracting and securing external funding
• Extensive experience of involving young people in governance arrangements
• Experience of analysing complex data to inform service delivery

Essential Behavioural & other Characteristics:

• Committed to continuous improvement in all areas
• Able to understand and observe Leeds City Council policies and procedures
• Carry out duties having regard to an employee’s responsibility under Health, Safety and Wellbeing
• Participate in appraisal, training and development activities
• Be aware of and support difference and ensure equality for all
• Recognise and appropriately challenge any incidents of racism, bullying, harassment, victimisation, and any form of abuse
• Flexible and adaptable to change to assist other services as required