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Job description

The centre-based Youth Worker will provide professional leadership for the planning, delivery and continuous improvement of youth work at Matchbox Youth Club, as part of the wider Northwest Youth Services provision. The postholder will ensure that provision is safe, inclusive, needs-led, participative and outcomes-focused, supporting the personal, social and educational development of children and young people. The postholder will work within NWYS policies, procedures and strategic priorities; the agreed governance arrangements for Matchbox Youth Club; applicable funding conditions; the Youth Work Curriculum; and relevant safeguarding, health and safety, equality, data protection and charity governance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assess the needs, interests, strengths and circumstances of children and young people using appropriate evidence, consultation and professional judgement.
• Prepare and implement an annual action plan and programme timetable that respond to identified need, contribute to NWYS priorities and satisfy agreed funding outcomes.
• Plan, deliver, monitor and evaluate a balanced range of centre-based, outreach, detached, school linked, residential, outdoor, accredited and issue-based youth work, as appropriate to local need and available resources.
• Ensure youth work is purposeful, educational, participative and consistent with the Youth Work Curriculum and recognised professional standards.
• Build positive and professional relationships with children and young people, provide appropriate information and support, and advocate or refer where necessary.
• Enable children and young people to influence programme priorities, delivery, review and decisionmaking within the Club.
• Develop inclusive opportunities that promote wellbeing, resilience, good relations, equality, diversity, citizenship and community participation.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• A JNC-recognised professional youth work qualification in accordance with the current JNC requirements.
• At least one year’s post-qualifying experience as a professional youth worker, including at least six months experience of supervising or managing staff, volunteers or youth work provision.
• Experience of assessing need and planning, delivering, monitoring and evaluating youth work across a range of settings.
• Experience of partnership working and of preparing plans, records and reports.
• Knowledge of the Youth Work Curriculum, safeguarding and child protection, health and safety, equality, data protection and safe professional practice.
• Understanding of issues affecting children and young people and of participative, inclusive and outcomes-focused youth work.
• Effective leadership, supervision, communication, facilitation, planning, organisation, administration, ICT and financial-management skills.
• Ability to develop an assessment of need, review learning and outcomes, embed quality assurance, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Further Information

Salary: JNC Professional Range, Points 18-21, to be confirmed. Please complete and return application form by 12 noon 15th October 2026.