At a Glance
- Tasks: Support and inspire 25 young people, helping them thrive in their education and personal growth.
- Company: Join PET-Xi, a dynamic organisation dedicated to empowering underserved youth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a supportive team environment.
- Other info: Be part of a growing programme where your influence shapes the future.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives and help them discover their potential.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth work, Level 2 English and maths, and a passion for supporting neurodiverse learners.
The predicted salary is between 28000 - 32000 £ per year.
You will work with a group of 25 young people, teach across the programme, and be the adult who does not give up on them.
Who you will be working with:
PET-Xi runs a 16–19 Study Programme for young people mainstream education has not served well. Some were excluded. Some simply stopped attending and nobody chased them. Some arrived in the UK as asylum seekers or refugees and are rebuilding an education in a second language. Around nine in ten of our learners are neurodiverse. Six in ten come from low-income households, which means the cost of turning up, travel, food, kit, is itself a barrier. Some were referred with at least one contextual safeguarding concern. A few do not speak in class very much. They are not a problem to be managed. They are sixteen to nineteen year olds who have been told they are difficult often enough to believe it. Your job is to prove otherwise.
What the job asks of you:
- Total commitment. Twenty-five young people are yours. Their attendance, their progress, their behaviour, their week.
- You are there to build their sense of their own worth, to be a role model and an ally, and to help them take up their place in the world.
- Deliver across the programme: GCSE English or maths, customer service, work-related skills, enrichment.
- You will not write the curriculum; the materials are there. You bring them to life.
- Set the temperature of the room. Draw out a group that will not speak. Focus a group that will not stop.
- Hold the line on behaviour, and know the difference between a consequence and a conversation.
- Be the constant. Teachers and support staff work around you. You are the person your group sees every day, and the one they will still be talking about in five years.
Who we are looking for:
This is youth work with a timetable attached. If you are working with young people now, in youth services, detached work, sports coaching, mentoring, care, alternative provision or the voluntary sector, and you have found yourself doing the teaching bit anyway, this is the job that pays you for both.
There are things you will need:
- Level 2 English and maths.
- An A level or above in English or maths.
- Experience of delivering GCSE or Functional Skills in one of those subjects.
- Experience of supporting neurodiverse young people.
A teaching qualification is not among them. QTS or a recognised assessor award is welcome, and not required.
What matters just as much:
- One hundred per cent commitment to the young people in front of you.
- The instinct to be an ally, not an authority figure who happens to be kind.
- Energy that lifts a room without needing volume.
- Warmth with young people who will test whether it is real, and resilience for the fortnight it takes them to stop testing.
- Honesty about what you have not done before, and appetite to be developed in it.
- Grit. Some weeks the odds win. You come back on Monday.
A second language is a serious advantage. Arabic in particular, and also Romanian, Polish, Ukrainian, or another community language spoken by our learners and their families.
Building, not maintaining:
This is the second year of the Study Programme. The first year taught us a great deal and we are acting on it, a stronger team, a clearer structure, a better offer for learners. You will have real influence over how that takes shape. We are looking for people who find that prospect appealing and will enjoy the impact and challenge.
The young people we work with have been let down by adults who did not stay. Consistency is the most valuable thing you can give them.
What we offer:
- £28,000 – £32,000, set by experience and relevant qualifications.
- A defined CPD plan, including support towards teaching or assessing qualifications where that is your direction of travel.
- Real influence over how the programme is built, not a fixed script to read.
- A team that backs each other, because the work does not allow anything else.
Pension, Holiday, Other Benefits
How to apply:
Send your CV and a short covering note, no more than one page, telling us about a young person you got through to. Closing date is the 26th August 2026. Interviews will be held 2nd–4th September 2026 and may include a short practical task with a group.
Youth Worker in Coventry employer: PET-Xi Training Careers
At PET-Xi, we pride ourselves on being a dynamic and people-focused organisation that truly values the contributions of our team members. Located in the vibrant town of Leamington Spa, we offer a supportive and energetic work culture where you can make a real difference in people's lives while enjoying competitive salaries and opportunities for professional growth. Join us as an Employment Coach and be part of a team that is dedicated to empowering individuals to achieve their career goals.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Worker in Coventry
✨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 PET-Xi Training Careers.
✨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 PET-Xi Training Careers!
✨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 PET-Xi Training Careers, 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 PET-Xi Training Careers 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 in Coventry
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 PET-Xi Training Careers:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to PET-Xi Training Careers! 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 PET-Xi Training Careers
✨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.
