Assistant Youth Support Worker - Sunlea Youth Centre - 10 Posts

Education Authority; Derry/Londonderry; On-site; GBP 15,000 - 22,000; Part time

Job summary

Education Authority in Derry/Londonderry invites applications for an Assistant Youth Support Worker (Part-Time) to help run evening programmes at Sunlea Youth Centre. Posts are across multiple evenings, with shifts from 6pm to 9pm and specific 3-hour and 6-hour slots.

You will work directly with young people to support programme delivery, promote participation, and uphold child protection policies. The role requires commitment to youth work, wellbeing knowledge, and strong relationship-building

Qualifications

• Commitment to working with children and young people.
• Willingness to undertake job related training as required.
• Demonstrable knowledge of health and wellbeing issues affecting young people.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Child Protection.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with young people.
• Evidence of how experience and approach reflect EA's ethos and values.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning and implementing programmes for youth work.
• Encourage active youth participation and involvement in decision-making.
• Communicate effectively to build rapport with young people.
• Support building relationships with the wider community and external agencies.
• Help young people express and realise their goals.
• Challenge oppressive behaviour and safeguard young people as per Child Protection policy.
• Assist with administrative duties within the unit.

Skills

Youth work commitment

Willingness to train

Health & wellbeing awareness

Child protection knowledge

Relationship building

EA ethos & values

Youth work experience

Job description

Job Reference: 26008394)Primary Location : Derry/Londonderry-Coleraine-Sunlea Youth CentreContract Type : PermanentDuration of Contract/Contract End Date : N/AStatus : Part-TimeHours per Week : 8 posts: 3 hours per week 2 posts: 6 hours per weekWorking Pattern : Each post is evening based from 6pm - 9pm across the 5 evenings 6 hour post: Wednesday & Friday 6 hour post: Tuesday & Thursday Two three hour posts on Tuesday Two three hour posts on Wednesday Two three hour posts on Thursday Two three hour posts on FridayGrade/Scale : Assistant Youth Support Worker | Support Worker Range Pt 5 | £13.6271 per hourAdditional Allowance(s) : Not ApplicableAnticipated Interview Date(s) : December 2026Additional Information: These posts are required to support the delivery of youth work at Coleraine youth centreJOB DESCRIPTIONJOB TITLE: Assistant Youth Support Worker - Part TimeREPORTS TO: Nominated OfficerRESPONSIBLE FOR: Assisting with the unit programme and the implementation of Education Authority organisational policies.JOB PURPOSE:To work directly with young people to develop their social education by providing programmes of activities. This post is for staff appointed to undertake duties under the direction of a Worker in Charge or nominated Youth Support Worker.MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIESAssist with the planning and implementation of programmes, related to the ‘Model for Effective Practice’.Ensure that young people play an active role in the youth group and work towards a model of youth participation.Communicate effectively and develop a rapport with young people.Assist in the development of relationships with the wider community and external agencies.Assist young people to express and realise their goals.Challenge oppressive behaviour in young people.Provide information and support to young people.Support young people in evaluating youth work activities and the impact of youth work on their development.Implement the unit’s Child Protection Policy and work with young people to safeguard their welfare and the welfare of others.Assist with administrative duties within the unit.This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.PERSON SPECIFICATIONNOTES TO JOB APPLICANTS1. You must clearly demonstrate on your application form under each question, how, and to what extent you meet the required criteria as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted. You should clearly demonstrate this for both the essential and desirable criteria, where relevant.2. You must demonstrate how you meet the criteria by the closing date for applications, unless the criteria state otherwise.3. The stage in the process when the criteria will be measured is outlined in the table below.4. Shortlisting will be carried out on the basis of the essential criteria set out in Section 1 below, using the information provided by you on your application form.5. Please note that the Selection Panel reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants that it believes most strongly meet the criteria for the role.6. In the event of an excessive number of applications, the Selection Panel also reserves the right to apply any desirable criteria as outlined in Section 3 at shortlisting, in which case these will be applied in the order listed. It is important therefore that you also clearly demonstrate on your application form on how you meet any desirable criteria.Section 1 - Essential CriteriaThe following are essential criteria which will initially be measured at the shortlisting stage and which may also be further explored during the interview/selection stage. You should therefore make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet these criteria. Failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.Factor Essential Criteria Method of AssessmentExperienceEvidence of a commitment to working with children and young people.Shortlisting by Application FormSkills/Abilities Willingness to undertake job related training as and when required.Shortlisting by Application FormSection 2 - Essential CriteriaThe following are additional essential criteria which will be measured during the interview/selection stage in line with EA’s Game Changing People Model.Factor Essential Criteria Method of AssessmentKnowledgeAn awareness of the issues affecting young people particularly in relation to their health and wellbeing.Demonstrable knowledge of Child Protection.InterviewSkills/AbilitiesIn line with EA’s Game Changing People Model we will look for evidence of:Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with young peopleInterviewValues OrientationEvidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.InterviewSection 3 - Desirable CriteriaSome or all of the desirable criteria may be applied by the Selection Panel in order to determine a manageable pool of candidates. Desirable criteria will be applied in the order listed. You should make it clear on your application form how, and to what extent you meet the desirable criteria, as failure to do so may result in you not being shortlisted.Factor Desirable Criteria Method of AssessmentExperience Experience of working in a youth work setting.Shortlisting by Application FormOur ValuesThrough the selection process we will also seek evidence that the personal values of candidates align with those of the EA. This will include evidence of commitment to equality and excellence in service delivery. These reflect our aim which is to meet the needs of all our children and young people equally, removing barriers to learning and ensuring equality of access to excellent education services so that every child can develop to his or her full potential.DISCLOSURE OF CRIMINAL BACKGROUNDThe Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’.In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre-employment stage.Further information can be accessed at NI Direct or the Department of Justice.