Youth Worker (part-time)

Youth Worker (part-time)

At Chesham Youth Centre (CYC) we are looking to recruit an enthusiastic, driven and experienced Youth Worker. Initially, you will take charge of establishing and running a new, inclusive Junior Youth Club aimed at young people aged 8-12, with a long-term view to also developing other youth projects that support the Youth Centre’s aims and address local needs.

CYC is a volunteer-run charity situated in the heart of Chesham. Since it first opened in 1950, it has undergone many changes, but its mission has remained the same: to bring together young people and provide a safe space for them to engage in activities. On the ground floor, the Youth Centre boasts an art room, a TV lounge, a pool room, computer room and coffee bar, with a large hall and adjoining kitchen upstairs. Outside is a caged sports area and separate building houses a mirrored gym space. There is plenty of room for a vast array of activities to be carried out on site.

Responsibilities – You’ll need to…

• Develop and grow a Junior Youth Club at the Youth Centre that meets the young people’s identified needs and expectations.
• Initiate, develop and maintain positive relationships with the young people attending the Youth Club; offering support and identifying key issues relevant to them and the opportunities and activities they would wish a Youth Club to include for the future.
• Take charge of the week-to-week operation of the Junior Youth Club and ensure that the activities provided:
  • are engaging and varied
  • inspire and support the personal development of young people ages 8-12
  • help young people to be aware of their rights and responsibilities and to participate in the wider community by developing their life skills
• Develop and retain the support of the parents and volunteers upon whom the continuing viability of the Youth Club depends. You will take the lead on recruiting and building up a group of volunteers so that they feel supported and fully part of a team, and sustain their enthusiasm.

• Initiate, develop and maintain positive relationships with the wider community.

• Work collaboratively with the CYC Board of Directors and others, including Buckinghamshire Council’s Youth Services team, Action4Youth and local schools to ensure a joined-up approach in meeting young people’s needs.

• Identify opportunities and activities to expand the range of youth-focussed services available from CYC.

• Explore and develop the initiatives identified by the CYC Board to meet gaps in Youth provision in the local area and for marginal groups.

• Commit to professional development, with a willingness to make the most of ongoing training opportunities for all youth club supporters.

• Work to promote equality of opportunity, participation and responsibility.

• Safeguard the welfare of all volunteers and members of the Youth Club.

• Take part in out of hours activities where necessary and appropriate.

• Work within the framework of the Youth Centre’s policies and procedures, as well as legal requirements, including those on health and safety, child protection and equal opportunities

Skills and Qualities – You’ll need to have:

• Experience of working in the youth sector, working and sustaining relationships with young people and others remotely as well as in person.
• The ability to lead a small team including other youth work professionals, volunteers and Young Leaders as you all build a shared vision for the Junior Youth Club.
• Good organisational skills to assist in planning out and implementing a full programme of activities.
• The ability to treat young people’s concerns with respect, tact and sensitivity, while being aware of the limits that are required by confidentiality and the boundaries that govern the youth/youth worker relationship.
• The confidence to establish boundaries and manage challenging behaviour.
• The ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders effectively.
• The resilience to maintain a high standard of performance even in a stressful situation.
• A passion for, and experience of, working with young people and understanding the diverse factors that can affect their lives, including an awareness of the impact of Covid-19 and other prevailing pressures such as poverty and mental health issues.
• A desire to mentor, coach and support young people.
• Good interpersonal skills to listen to young people, colleagues and others and maintain good relationships with them.
• Openness and integrity, so that you are easily approachable and able to provide reliable support in times of need.
• Plenty of energy to devote to the role, as well as a sense of adventure and creativity.

Key Details

You will need to hold a valid enhanced DBS or be willing to apply for one.

The period of this contract is initially until the end of August 2025, however we hope to be able to extend it as we develop our youth provision and services.

Hours of Work: To be agreed but it is expected that the postholder will undertake a minimum of 10 hours per week.

Pay Scale: £23 per hour including oncosts (tax and national insurance).

For further information, please email isabelle@cheshamyc.org.uk

To apply for the role, please send your CV and a short cover letter to recruitment@cheshamyc.org.uk for the attention of Isabelle Hatfield or by post to Chesham Youth Centre, Old Drill Hall, Bellingdon Road, Chesham, HP5 2HA.

Closing Deadline: 17^th September 2024.

Interviews to take place w/c 23^rd September 2024.

September 2024