At a Glance
- Tasks: Support LGBTQ+ youth through meet-ups, workshops, and one-to-one guidance.
- Company: Porchlight is dedicated to helping vulnerable individuals achieve their potential.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, life insurance, a pension scheme, and wellness support.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the lives of LGBTQ+ young people while fostering community.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth programmes and a passion for LGBTQ+ advocacy required.
- Other info: Fixed term until March 2026, with potential for extension.
The predicted salary is between 26850 - 29644 £ per year.
Salary: £26,850 rising to up to £29,644 after five years’ service, pro-rata per annum
Location: West & North Kent (Maidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells, Gravesend, Dartford & Northfleet)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Fixed term March 2026 – with possible extension
Closing date: 9th July 2025
The role: We’re looking for a dynamic person to join the North & West Kent arm of the BeYou Project – our support service for LGBTQ+ young people. You’ll be responsible for running BeYou meet-ups in these districts (physical and online) with the help of a volunteer. You’ll provide safe spaces where young people can be themselves, socialise, and learn more about the LGBTQ+ community and related topics. You’ll empower young people to become active members of the groups and their wider community via our steering group. You’ll manage a caseload of LGBTQ+ young people, providing one-to-one in person support, and be available to offer guidance to their families (when appropriate) via an online parents/carers support group. You’ll deliver assemblies and workshops to schools, organisations, services, and stakeholders, and actively partake in promotional events such as Pride, freshers’ fairs and conferences to talk about the benefits of joining the BeYou Project.
What you need:
- The ability to talk with, motivate, and engage young people.
- A good understanding of the issues LGBTQ+ young people face and a commitment to building LGBTQ+ communities.
- Experience of designing, promoting, and managing youth group programmes.
- The energy and enthusiasm to help us drive our BeYou service forward to change the lives of more LGBTQ+ young people.
- A commitment to Porchlight’s safeguarding policies and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk.
- Confidence to run your own groups and manage your own caseload working to key performance indicators.
- Good ability to balance face-to-face work with administrative work.
- Feel confident in working with vulnerable young people.
About us: we’re passionate about helping vulnerable people to reach their full potential. Our vision is a fairer society where the most excluded are included and everybody has a safe place to call home and the chance to make a positive contribution. Porchlight runs The BeYou Project because LGBTQ+ young people are disproportionately affected by homelessness. By putting the right support in place, we can ensure they feel included and have a bright future.
Benefits: as a Porchlight employee, you’ll have access to a wide range of benefits including free life insurance, 25 days holiday per year (increasing to 30 days after five years’ service) plus bank holidays, the Porchlight pension scheme, employee assistance programme and 360 wellbeing app.
Youth Worker employer: Porchlight
Contact Detail:
Porchlight Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Worker
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the BeYou Project and its mission. Understanding the specific challenges faced by LGBTQ+ young people will help you connect better during interviews and demonstrate your commitment to the cause.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the youth work and LGBTQ+ sectors. Attend local events or workshops related to youth support and LGBTQ+ issues to meet potential colleagues and gain insights that could be beneficial in your application process.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing youth programmes. Think of specific examples where you've successfully engaged young people, as this will showcase your ability to run groups and manage caseloads effectively.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your enthusiasm for community involvement. Be ready to talk about any previous volunteer work or community projects you've participated in, especially those related to LGBTQ+ advocacy or youth support, as this aligns with the values of the BeYou Project.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Worker
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Read the job description thoroughly to understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Youth Worker position. Tailor your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the needs of the BeYou Project.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your passion for supporting LGBTQ+ young people. Include specific examples of your experience in youth work, community engagement, and any relevant programmes you've designed or managed.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV, emphasise your experience working with young people, particularly in LGBTQ+ contexts. Mention any workshops, assemblies, or events you have facilitated, and demonstrate your understanding of the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ youth.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application materials for spelling and grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail and professionalism, which are crucial in this role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Porchlight
✨Show Your Passion for LGBTQ+ Advocacy
Make sure to express your genuine passion for supporting LGBTQ+ young people. Share any personal experiences or insights that highlight your commitment to this community, as it will resonate with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Your Group Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience in designing and managing youth group programmes. Provide specific examples of how you've successfully engaged young people in previous roles, showcasing your ability to create safe and inclusive spaces.
✨Highlight Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves working closely with young people and their families, emphasise your strong communication skills. Be ready to share examples of how you've effectively motivated and engaged individuals in challenging situations.
✨Understand Safeguarding Policies
Familiarise yourself with safeguarding policies and be ready to discuss how you would implement them in your work. This shows your commitment to the welfare of young people and reassures the interviewers of your professionalism.