At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team to develop life skills for young people in a supportive environment.
- Company: Join a passionate organisation dedicated to empowering young individuals.
- Benefits: Enjoy generous leave, well-being support, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse team that values inclusion and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in youth services and programme delivery is essential.
The predicted salary is between 28350 - 34650 £ per year.
We are looking to recruit a new Life Skills Team Leader for our Supported Housing service in Nottinghamshire. You will be part of leading an exciting new team to develop the service we will be offering to our young people. Supporting young people across Mansfield, Ashfield and Nottingham City, this is an amazing role where you will lead and develop a comprehensive life skills programme that equips Looked After Children, Care Leavers and other young adults with the social, emotional and practical skills needed for independent living.
This role will involve forging strategic partnerships with local colleges, businesses, and service providers to enhance our programme and ensure that it is fully responsive to the diverse needs of the young people we serve. You will have the unique perspective of working with both young people and staff, giving you valuable insight to the needs, requirements but also the successes and achievements the young people are making every day.
You will seek to improve the lives of the young people by working with them to understand what support they need to engage in education or employment, become more independent and gain skills that will last a lifetime. You will be motivated by your desire to make a positive impact on young people and you will passionately share our belief that everyone should have a fair chance to discover who they are and who they can become.
On a day-to-day basis, you will:
- Lead a team of Life Skills Youth Coaches, to deliver tailored life skills modules covering essential areas such as budgeting, cooking, cleaning and digital literacy.
- Monitor and evaluate the performance of residents using software tools, identifying areas for improving and promoting engagement.
- Maintain a nurturing and trauma-informed environment that fosters personal growth and resilience among young people.
- Use your own personal drive and personality to build relationships with external partners and stakeholders to leverage services which may be of use to our residents, but also to explore community initiatives our residents can get involved with too.
About You: From a background in programme development and delivery, particularly within youth services or community support, you will be able to bring knowledge and understanding of trauma-informed care and psychologically informed environments. You will also have experience of delivering and designing life skills programmes tailored to vulnerable young people. Drawing on this experience, you will be able to engage, inspire and motivate young people towards those vital life skills and have the techniques and ideas from your previous experience to use a wide range of different approaches to maximise engagement in a fun, age-appropriate way.
You will be a brilliant communicator; whether dealing with your staff or our residents. You will be confident in 1-2-1 communication and in group settings, able to represent your service area at team and wider organisation meetings. You will also be an experienced Team Manager, comfortable to recruit, train, develop and coach a team of Life Skills Coaches to deliver your programme.
Your knowledge of social housing, homelessness, safeguarding, the benefits system and available resources will ensure your ability to make an impactful and meaningful contribution to our work and ultimately, support the young people on their journey. It is desirable that you have a full driving licence (as travel between our sites is required) but these can be accessed by public transport across Nottingham.
What We Value: We’re driven by our core values and we look for these in every member of our team:
- We Seek Out – We’re always looking for ways to do better.
- We Welcome – We include, respect, and support everyone.
- We Inspire – We believe in every person’s potential.
- We Speak Out – We advocate for what’s right.
- We Serve Others – We act with compassion and purpose.
These values are more than just words—they shape how we work, lead, and serve. Our North Star – What Guides Us: Everything we do is inspired by our ambition that every child and young person we support:
- Builds the relationships that help them discover who they are
- Develops the skills and confidence to shape their own life
- Learns how to connect with and contribute to the world around them
Your leadership will play a vital role in achieving this mission.
Our Benefits: We value your commitment and relentless dedication and have crafted a package of health & well-being benefits. Here’s some of what you can expect:
- 23 days annual leave (plus bank holidays), increasing to 28 days with 5 years’ service
- Wellbeing package (after passing probation): 24/7 GP access, health/dental cashback, Employment Assistance Programme
- Funded training, qualifications & career progression across YMCA services
- Quarterly Campfires – celebrating our impact across the organisation
- Discounted YMCA childcare & holiday clubs
- £500 refer-a-friend bonus
- Blue Light Card eligibility + 10% discount at YMCA Café and Malt Cross
Diversity & Safer Recruitment: YMCA Robin Hood Group is committed to equal opportunities, promoting diversity, and creating an inclusive culture where all staff can thrive. Should you require any adjustments to support your full participation in our recruitment process, we would encourage you to share your needs with us so we can support you with your requirements. Please contact the Recruitment team in the first instance. We follow rigorous safer recruitment processes to ensure the protection of children, young people, and adults at risk. All applicants will be subject to enhanced DBS checks, reference checks, and thorough vetting as part of our commitment to safeguarding.
Ready to Apply? If you are ready to use your wealth of experience gained from years as a Registered Manager with our teams, share our values, and have the relevant experience to match, we want to hear from you. Apply now and be part of something bigger. Help us shape not just better services, but brighter futures for children.
What Happens Next? We reserve the right to close the position earlier than advertised if required. Due to the large number of applications we receive, we will be unable to provide specific feedback on why you may not have been shortlisted. For an informal conversation before applying, please reach out to our recruitment team who would be delighted to help.
Life Skills Team Leader in Nottingham employer: YMCA Robin Hood Group
YMCA Robin Hood Group is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff. As an Operations Manager in Newark on Trent, you will benefit from competitive remuneration, comprehensive training opportunities, and the chance to lead a dedicated team committed to making a meaningful difference in children's lives. Join us to grow your career while positively impacting the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Life Skills Team Leader in Nottingham
✨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 YMCA Robin Hood Group.
✨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 YMCA Robin Hood Group!
✨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 YMCA Robin Hood Group, 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 YMCA Robin Hood Group 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 Life Skills Team Leader in Nottingham
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 YMCA Robin Hood Group:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to YMCA Robin Hood Group! 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 YMCA Robin Hood Group
✨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.
