Lead Youth Worker

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced youth worker to lead a team of both full-time and part-time youth workers to provide relevant youth programmes for young Londoners and help make a difference to their lives.

Following a restructure of the charity’s leadership we are looking for a Lead Youth Worker who will develop and improve the established youth provision to ensure the aims and objectives of St Andrew’s Club are met. These are to give young people of diverse backgrounds a sense of belonging and fun, in a safe and attractive environment, where they develop self-confidence, self-respect and respect for others and, thereby their ability to contribute to society as good citizens.

The role will include working with young people in counselling and group work situations, The Lead Youth Worker will join the small, friendly team of Club staff and report to the Chief Executive who is supported regularly by the Management Committee of Trustees who meet bi-monthly.

This role would be perfect for someone who is passionate about helping young people build self-confidence, respect for themselves and for others, whilst giving them vital skills, training and opportunities to build a positive sense of citizenship.

The Lead Youth Worker will be expected to:

• Continue and extend the overall provision of mixed youth work, whilst recognising the value of working separately with specific individuals, members of concern or groups to provide activities, structured workshops, trips out, training, residentials and other work, as and when required
• Lead the other full time and part time youth workers, Club volunteers, and manage delegation of responsibilities as appropriate
• Take part in recruitment, development and retention of staff and volunteers
• Lead on holding staff meetings, development group meetings, one to one supervision sessions, staff residentials and training, as well as being the first line of contact for any staff grievances/disciplinary issues from direct reports
• Lead on members’ feedback and input into developing 'member-led' programme design
• Work as part of a team alongside other members of staff, including the Office Manager and Fundraising Officer
• Share in managerial and administration duties appropriate to the post of Lead Youth Worker, including reporting requirements for funding applications, financial budgeting and management of the programmes and collection of subs
• Act as main point of contact for parents/carers regarding planned communications/ feedback and issues’ resolution/ complaints
• Co-operate in the management of premises and equipment
• Plan and develop work to encourage groups not currently using the Club, including potential members, delivery partners and community partners
• Plan and organise the annual Presentation Night to recognise and reward individual and team achievements
• Assist the CEO at presentations/ Club tours/ supporter events to showcase the youth work.

The Lead Youth Worker should be able to demonstrate the following:

• A proven track record of working with young people, an awareness of their needs and an understanding of the particular problems facing young people today
• An ability to lead, develop and work as part of a team and to communicate effectively with young people, colleagues and trustees
• To be able to implement a policy of equal opportunities and safeguarding controls
• An ability to work with parents/ carers and members of the local community
• An ability to organise and evaluate their own and others’ work and to use this to help with fundraising applications and reports with colleagues
• An awareness of other local agencies working with young people and a willingness to work together as appropriate

Lines of Responsibility

The Lead Youth Worker will report to the Club Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and will manage the Deputy Manager Youth Workers and c. 14 part-time youth workers.

The Club is managed by a Management Committee made up of professional people and others, committed to the aims and objectives of the Club. Staff are represented at the bi-monthly Committee meetings by the CEO. The Lead Youth Worker will provide information on Club activities to the CEO for a report to the Committee, make a specific presentation at each Management meeting of a recent piece of youth work and ensure the Club Member of the year attends to represent the membership.

In addition, the Lead Youth Worker:

• Will be responsible for the deployment and supervision of the part-time youth staff team (paid and voluntary), which includes all volunteers
• Will delegate and direct the youth team to their specific tasks and duties. However, an overall team approach is encouraged
• Along with the CEO will have responsibility for ensuring all staff/ volunteers working with young people have an appropriate DBS check and have completed an acceptable safeguarding course, and any other essential training to enable them to carry out their duties

Due to the nature of the work the Lead Youth Worker will be expected to carry out their duties at such times and upon such days as may be most effective in respect of the task in hand. This will inevitably involve regular re-assessment of the working week; also working during the evenings, at weekends, school holidays and over Bank Holidays, as and when necessary.

To Apply:

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 17 March.

Please email your application to Ms Linda Llewellyn at: Linda@standrewsclub.com.

 Postal applications should be mailed to Linda at St Andrew's Club, Alec Wizard House, 12 Old Pye Street, London SW1P 2DG.

If you have any questions regarding this position, then please contact Linda on: 020 7222 6481.