Youth Worker x2

It is an exciting time in Wakefield as we launch our new Youth Support Service and continue to expand our offer for young people aged 12 to 25.

We have a range of rewarding opportunities for individuals with the skills, knowledge, and experience, as well as the passion and commitment, to make a real difference in the lives of young people.

Working with us, you will help ensure that young people are happy, healthy, and safe, supporting the ambitions set out in Wakefield's Children and Young People's Plan.

Do you have what it takes to join our team and help shape positive futures for young people across Wakefield?

Youth Support Workers play a key role in developing and delivering a wide range of support, activities, and opportunities for children and young people aged 11 to 24. Working alongside colleagues, partner organisations, and local communities, the postholder will engage young people through group work, one-to-one support, centre-based provision, community activities, and detached (street-based) youth work.

The role focuses on helping young people achieve positive outcomes by improving access to employment, promoting health and wellbeing, and connecting them with local services and opportunities. Through building positive relationships, offering guidance, and delivering targeted interventions, the Youth Support Worker will support young people to develop resilience, confidence, social skills, and independence.

The postholder will work collaboratively with schools, colleges, training providers, employers, and community partners to identify and promote education, training, volunteering, and employment opportunities. They will actively support young people to access and sustain these opportunities, helping them reach their full potential.

A key aspect of the role is ensuring that the voices of children and young people are heard and reflected in service design, delivery, and evaluation. The Youth Support Worker will advocate for young people, encourage their participation, and support the wider team to demonstrate positive outcomes and impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver a range of youth support activities and interventions through group work and one-to-one engagement.
• Support the delivery of open-access youth provision alongside third-sector and community partners.
• Contribute to the development of the local youth offer and community-based opportunities.
• Deliver and support detached (street-based) youth work to engage young people in their own communities.
• Promote positive outcomes relating to education, employment, training, health, and wellbeing.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with schools, colleges, training providers, employers, and partner agencies.
• Support young people to access work placements, learning opportunities, and wider support services.
• Advocate for children and young people, ensuring their views influence service delivery and development.
• Promote the safety, wellbeing, and safeguarding of children and young people, with particular focus on those who are most vulnerable.
• Work alongside Youth Engagement Workers and the wider team to deliver needs-led interventions and demonstrate positive impact.
• Capture and use youth voice to shape services and improve outcomes.

What Will Be Expected of Me?

You will build positive and supportive relationships with young people, helping them access opportunities, overcome barriers, and achieve their goals. You will work flexibly across a variety of settings, delivering engaging activities and interventions that respond to individual and community needs.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues, partner organisations, and local stakeholders to provide high-quality support and ensure young people have safe, rewarding experiences that help them thrive.

Essential Requirements

• Experience of working with children and young people in either a paid or voluntary capacity.
• Good understanding of the barriers that some children and young people face when accessing services and support.
• Commitment to completing a Level 3 Youth Work qualification within two years of starting the course and maintaining professional knowledge and skills through ongoing development.
• Full driving licence (unless unable to drive due to a disability).
• Ability to build positive relationships with young people and partner organisations.
• Commitment to promoting inclusion, participation, safeguarding, and positive outcomes for all children and young people.

What can I expect?

• A competitive salary
• Generous holiday entitlement with the option to buy up to 10 extra days of annual leave
• Access to high-quality training programs to advance your career to the next level.
• We are committed to supporting the wellbeing of our staff. We recognise that resilient teams need good work life balance as well as supportive leadership.
• Discounted and subsidised public transport (Arriva Bus Annual Travel Ticket, Northern Trains Limited (NTL), MetroCard).
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) and a Shared Cost Additional Voluntary Contributions (AVC) scheme providing a tax efficient way to increase our pension.
• Great range of benefits including an Employee Assistant Programme, discounted membership to our excellent leisure facilities with free 12 weeks exercise program, discounts for a range of retail, entertainment, health and leisure providers, a cycle to work scheme, and many more

Want to know more?

If you would like to know more about the role, the recruitment process or working for Wakefield Council, feel free to contact.

Name: Rosie Ellingham

Tel: 07345 430463

E-mail: rellingham@wakefield.gov.uk

Join us and make a real impact in the community. Apply today to become a valued member of our team!

Safeguarding

Wakefield Council is wholly committed to ensuring children and vulnerable adults are fully supported and safe. We are dedicated to the safeguarding of all children and vulnerable adults whilst promoting their welfare. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this responsibility.

DBS (Disclosure & Barring Service)

The successful applicant will be required to complete a Disclosure Application Form and to provide criminal conviction information.

Probation

In accordance with the Council Probation Procedure, this post is subject to a 6-month Probationary Period.

Fluency Duty

To comply with Part 7 of the Immigration Act 2016 (Fluency Duty), public facing roles will be subject to the Fluency Duty.

Diversity

Having a diverse workforce that is reflective of the communities we serve helps us to achieve the best outcomes for all. We encourage applications from everyone and actively seek to ensure that everyone feels included in the workplace so that we can make the most of our differences.

Why Wakefield

To find out more about the benefits of working at Wakefield Council, click here.