Deputy Youth Centre Manager

As a key member of the PYC team, you’ll help shape a vibrant, inclusive youth club experience. You’ll:
• Have excellent communication skills and be able to motivate and effectively engage young people, with the ability to converse at ease and provide advice in accurate spoken English.
• Have relevant experience of working with young people aged 11–19, preferably in a youth club or another informal setting.
• Build trusting relationships with young people to encourage participation and personal growth.
• Plan and deliver creative, engaging activities that reflect young people’s interests and needs.
• Lead on the club’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award programme, including all related administration and coordination.
• Take charge of the club in the Youth Managers absence, ensuring a safe and welcoming environment.
• Support staff, volunteers, and students, and role model professional practice in all settings.
• Be open-minded but recognise and challenge inappropriate behaviour or language when necessary.
• Conduct occasional detached (outreach) work across Portsmouth, offering support to young people and signposting to other agencies.
• Make sound decisions to ensure the safety and wellbeing of young people, staff, and the wider community.
• Lead debrief sessions with the team and submit accurate monitoring data to service managers.
• Communicate effectively with parents and carers regarding progress, behaviour, or safeguarding concerns.
• Represent PYC at meetings and collaborate with other services.
• Carry out essential administrative tasks, including:
• Data entry and record keeping
• Planning and booking off-site trips
• Completing risk assessments for activities
• Managing social media accounts
• Completing safeguarding referrals
• You will be based at one of our youth clubs in Portsmouth working during the day plus a minimum of 4 weekday evenings until 2100 hours. You will be flexible to provide cover at any of our youth clubs when needed.


Skills:

You’re someone who:
• Connects easily with young people and understands their world.
• Has experience in informal education or youth work settings.
• Can lead and support a team with confidence and compassion.
• Is passionate about youth voice and participation—you believe young people should help shape the services they use.
• Can recognise when young people are having issues and respond appropriately, offering support and signposting.
• Is organised and confident in managing administrative responsibilities.
• Can manage challenging behaviour using restorative approaches and de-escalation techniques.
• Champions inclusivity and equality, and isn’t afraid to challenge discrimination.
• Can track and celebrate young people’s achievements, including through DofE and other accreditations.
• Has up-to-date working knowledge of safeguarding children and young people.
• Is resilient when faced with difficult and challenging situations.
• Is flexible and willing to support other PYC youth clubs across Portsmouth.