At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage with young people, plan activities, and provide support in youth clubs and the community.
- Company: Join Portsmouth City Council, dedicated to inspiring and supporting youth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Flexible evening hours and potential for career growth in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while enjoying a dynamic work environment.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth aged 11-19 and excellent communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 33119 - 33119 £ per year.
9 hours per week to be worked across 3 evenings 18:00 - 21:00 (days to be discussed). Staff need to be flexible in terms of availability as well as working from different sites.
About the Youth Service:
Our Youth Service is here to inspire and support young people aged 11–19 (and up to 25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities). We provide friendly Information, Advice and Guidance, alongside a wide range of fun, engaging activities through our youth clubs and community projects—helping young people connect, learn and grow. We are especially committed to supporting those who may be facing challenges, including vulnerability around substance misuse, youth offending, teenage pregnancy or homelessness. By offering positive opportunities and trusted, caring support, we help young people build confidence, make informed choices and create brighter futures.
Your Role as a Youth Worker:
As a Youth Worker, you’ll be at the heart of our mission—engaging with young people aged 11–19 in youth clubs and out in the community. You’ll help them shape their own experiences by encouraging participation and co-creating activities that matter to them.
Your work will include:
- Planning and leading sessions on key topics like relationships, sexual health, bullying, racism, and substance misuse.
- Facilitating fun and inclusive activities such as sports, dance, cooking, and creative projects.
- Managing spaces like the coffee bar and supporting a respectful, welcoming environment.
- Handling challenging behaviour with empathy and professionalism.
You’ll also take part in detached outreach work, connecting with young people in hotspot areas across Portsmouth—whether in parks, on the seafront, or in shopping precincts. You’ll build trust, offer guidance, and signpost to other services when needed. This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about youth work, enjoys being active in the community, and wants to make a real difference in young people’s lives.
Who is the person?
You need to:
- Have previous experience of working with young people aged 11 - 19 years.
- Have excellent communication skills and be able to engage effectively with young people, staff, and stakeholders.
- The ability to converse at ease with service users and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
- Be able to plan group activities onsite and off-site that engages young people and encourages learning and self-development, including for the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) programme.
- Be self-directed and able to work as part of a team.
- Be able to role model professional practice to other staff and demonstrate effective ways of engaging young people.
- Be able to recognise when young people are having issues and be able to respond appropriately, offering support and signposting to other agencies if necessary.
- Be able to make sound decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of young people, staff, and the wider community.
- Have an understanding of anti-discriminatory practice, this is essential.
- Be open minded but recognise and challenge inappropriateness in a young person's behaviour or language when necessary.
- Be flexible in your hours of work as you will need availability to work in the evenings and occasional weekends for off-site activities, and to work City Wide if required to meet the needs of the service.
- Be prepared to attend supervision, appropriate training relevant to the post, and team meetings as required.
- Having a full clean driving licence would be advantageous for this post.
Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
Senior Youth Worker employer: Portsmouth City Council
Portsmouth City Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a positive and inclusive work culture that prioritises respect, integrity, and collaboration. As a SEN Team Leader, you will have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people with special educational needs, while benefiting from professional development opportunities and a supportive team environment. Located in the vibrant city of Portsmouth, this role offers a unique chance to contribute to strategic SEND developments and be part of a forward-thinking organisation committed to service improvement and community well-being.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior 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 Portsmouth City 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 Portsmouth City 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 Portsmouth City 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 Portsmouth City 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 Senior 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 Portsmouth City Council:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Portsmouth City 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 Portsmouth City 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.
