Youth Worker Manager

The role will work with the middle managers and existing staff and volunteer team to grow and develop Chance UK services, focussing on the 5-13 age group. 

We are looking for an experienced, dynamic, qualified professional with significant experience of managing excellent universal Youth Work programmes for large numbers of children and young people.

They will support and develop the Youth Work team and identify and cultivate existing and new programmes of activity for young people across Chance UK’s services. They will introduce continual improvements and ensure best practice in all service delivery whilst managing and achieving in line with KPIs. 

About you 

The successful candidate will have significant experience of direct support and supervision within a youth service, managing staff and performance, and quality assurance. They will be working directly with the young people and staff team during Youth Work sessions and will take a highly flexible approach to their working pattern. To be considered for this post it is essential that you have a proven record of delivering high quality services and interventions to a range of children. It is also a pre-requisite that you possess knowledge and understanding of legislative framework and polices relating to children’s services. This includes safeguarding, child protection and criminal justice.  

Role Competencies   

Ability to oversee the planning, delivery and evaluation of outcomes- focused delivery, understanding of the context and challenges facing vulnerable children and families. 

Politically and creatively aware and ‘plugged in’ to emerging youth sub-culture with a good knowledge of social media with understanding and appreciation of the importance of monitoring and evaluation. Ensuring robust systems and procedures are in place within the team and organization 

Leads in the development of an outcomes focused  service by planning, implementing and evaluating a service which is based on the expressed needs of families and CUK business plan. Using reflective practice, qualitative data and child’s and parent voice to develop and plan service provision with a willingness to adapt to changes and challenges that may arise in the delivery of the Programmes. With learning and innovation embedded throughout.

Leads the Youth Work Teams to ensure that each member works to protect children and vulnerable adults who may be at risk and places the needs of those who require protection at the forefront of team activities at all times.

Duties and responsibilities 

Recruitment of a high quality, motivated team of staff

To develop and motivate the delivery team to provide an exceptional offer for young people, and be a role model for both the team and young people, presenting a positive ‘can do’ attitude

Leading in the management of outreach and group work activities, ensuring standards of behaviour in groups settings are maintained 

To contribute to face-to-face delivery through 1:1, group work and or online support where needed and required directly with children, young people and families

Motivating, supporting and mentoring a staff team, including  youth workers and volunteers, supporting and coaching them to achieve their full potential and debriefing following challenging situations

Delivering a strong performance management culture: completing case file audits, ensuring accurate recording of information and data

Supporting the Managers and Head of Service and Operations in defining the quality of service and holding themselves and others to account for delivering to this

Reporting to middle managers and SMT on the performance of delivery against contract targets and sharing insights and case studies to promote the work of the organisation and our impact

Acting as the Designated Safeguarding Lead across your team and working the on-call safeguarding line, evenings and weekends on a rota system

Ensuring child protection procedures are followed and that the safeguarding of young people is paramount

Supporting the delivery of the charity’s mission by ensuring that up to date and robust safeguarding policies and procedures are in place and that staff and volunteers adhere to them

Ensuring that the Youth Work team receive the required safeguarding training and that procedures are properly followed at all times

Ensure the charity has a robust approach to risk management, including person centred risk assessment and risk management processes 

Attendance at fortnightly operations board meeting with senior management team and sharing of team meetings 

Developing and maintaining strong community relationships with external stakeholders i.e. schools and colleges, and developing relationships with youth networks in your area. Exploring areas for joint working where appropriate

Ensuring that all projects are properly documented, are delivered within budget and that work is evaluated and data input into management systems

To contribute to one off initiatives and activity days/groups where needed

Management of team budget 

We are looking for successful candidates to start as soon as possible and therefore applications will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and interviews scheduled accordingly.

The job description is a general outline of the duties and responsibilities the post holder may be required to undertake other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time.