Deadline extended: 30th October 2026
Lead Youth Worker
Wigton Youth Station, Wigton, Cumbria
16 hours per week | JNC points 12–14, depending on qualifications and experience
Could you help lead and develop youth work in Wigton?
Wigton Youth Station is looking for an experienced and enthusiastic Lead Youth Worker to join our small team and take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership and development of our youth work programme.
This is an experienced youth work role. We are looking for someone who understands young people, can build positive relationships with them and can take the lead in creating and delivering an engaging, inclusive programme that responds to their needs and interests.
The role
Working alongside the Centre Manager, you will:
- Lead and coordinate the youth work programme, including planning ahead and making sure sessions and activities work together as a coherent programme.
- Lead and deliver regular youth work sessions and activities.
- Support and provide day-to-day direction to Youth Workers, volunteers and peer mentors.
- Develop new ideas and opportunities based on the needs, interests and feedback of young people.
- Help us reach young people who are not currently accessing the Youth Station and make sure our provision is welcoming and inclusive.
- Plan and support trips, projects, events and other activities.
- Make sure appropriate planning, safeguarding, recording and evaluation are completed.
- Monitor participation and engagement and use what we learn to improve our provision.
- Take delegated responsibility for youth work safeguarding as Deputy Designated Safeguarding Lead (DDSL), working closely with the Centre Manager as Designated Safeguarding Lead.
- Contribute to the wider running and development of Wigton Youth Station – in a small organisation, everyone pitches in!
- The role includes a mixture of direct youth work, programme planning, preparation, administration and office-based work. Regular evening work is required, with occasional weekend work for trips, activities or events.
Who we are looking for
We are looking for someone with significant experience of working with young people, ideally in a youth work or similar setting, who can demonstrate:
- Experience of planning and delivering engaging activities and programmes for young people.
- A good understanding of youth work practice, safeguarding and professional boundaries.
- The ability to work independently and take responsibility for the quality of youth work delivery.
- The ability to support and guide other youth workers, volunteers and peer mentors.
- Good communication, organisation and IT skills, including confidence with digital records and online systems.
- The ability to respond positively and appropriately to challenging behaviour while maintaining a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment.
- The initiative to identify opportunities and develop provision in response to young people's needs.
A relevant Level 3 qualification or above, such as youth work, teaching and learning, or a related field, would be an advantage. A willingness to work towards a higher-level qualification in youth work would also be welcome. However, we are equally interested in candidates with substantial relevant experience and the skills and knowledge needed to lead effective youth work.
About Wigton Youth Station
Wigton Youth Station is an independent youth charity providing a safe, welcoming space for young people in Wigton and the surrounding area. We provide regular youth sessions, activities, trips, workshops and opportunities for young people to have their voices heard.
We are a small team, so this is a hands-on role where you will have the opportunity to make a real difference to the young people who use our service and to help shape the future of youth work at WYS.
- Salary: JNC points 12–14, depending on qualifications and experience
- Hours: 16 hours per week
- Location: Wigton Youth Station, 16 High Street, Wigton, Cumbria CA7 9NJ
- DBS: Enhanced DBS required
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