Youth Worker

6 hours per week to be worked across 2 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.

The youth service aims to improve outcomes for young people aged 11yrs-19yrs and up to 25yrs for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities. We do this through Information, Advice, Guidance and a range of activities provided through our youth clubs and projects. We support vulnerable young people who are at risk or future risk of further problems such as substance misuse, youth offending, teenage pregnancy and homelessness.

Working with young people aged between 11yrs -19 years, in a youth club setting, you will encourage young people’s participation in their club and in planning and running activities with them. Building relationships with these young people by being a good listener, listening to what the young people want from the activities as well as listening to their issues and signposting them on to other services as and when required. You will be expected to support the work under the direction of the Youth Club Manager. Your duties could include sport, dance, participation in art, music, drama, discussions, and cooking with young people to name but a few, also off-site activities to include day trips and residentials. This successful candidate for this post will be expected to work across all areas of the youth club including the learning needs provision.

Who is the person?

• Be enthusiastic and able to make and maintain effective relationships with young people.
• Have experience of working with young people from age 11-25 years.
• Have excellent communication skills and be able to engage effectively with young people, staff, and stakeholders in a restorative way.
• The ability to converse at ease with service users.
• Be friendly and approachable with a sense of humour and lots of patience.
• Be able to work within a team, as there will be lots of interaction with volunteers and other staff.
• An understanding of anti-discriminatory practice is essential and the empowerment of young people is essential.
• Be open-minded, but recognise and challenge inappropriateness in a young person’s behaviour or language.
• Be flexible in your hours of work as you will need availability to work in the evenings and occasional weekends as well as working from different sites.

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.