Centre Based Youth Worker 1 (Local Team)

Education Authority (Northern Ireland); Newtownabbey; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Education Authority (Northern Ireland) seeks a Centre Based Youth Worker 1 to manage the Youth Centre and maximise its use for young people. You will assess needs, design activities, and contribute to strategic plans in collaboration with the area team.

The role requires a qualified Youth Worker with IT skills, strong communication, and the ability to work with staff and volunteers to deliver impactful youth work across the designated area.

Qualifications

• Be a qualified Youth Worker in accordance with the JNC Report for Youth Workers, Paragraph 5.
• Minimum of one year’s experience as a Youth Worker.
• Working knowledge of information technology systems including Microsoft packages, Word and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Youth Centre and maximise its use for agreed purposes in line with EA policies.
• Assess needs of young people and provide a programme of activities aligned to the Youth Service Curriculum for Northern Ireland.
• Develop an Annual Action Plan and contribute to Area Plan and overall strategic plan for the Youth Service.
• Ensure active participation of young people in youth work programmes and area project management.
• Supervise staff and volunteers and manage area project duties.

Skills

Youth Work

IT Skills (MS Word, Outlook)

Relationship Building

Communication

Financial Management

Assessment & Evaluation

Mobility/Transport

Centre Management

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

Section 1 - Essential Criteria

• Professional Membership: Be a qualified Youth Worker in accordance with the JNC Report for Youth Workers, Paragraph 5.
• Experience: Have a minimum of one year’s experience as a Youth Worker.
• Knowledge: Demonstrable working knowledge of information technology systems including Microsoft packages, Word and Outlook.
• Other: The successful candidate will be required to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Section 2 - Essential Criteria

• Knowledge
  • NI Youth Work Curriculum.
  • Risk management processes relative to the welfare of young people.
  • Department of Education Child Protection regulations.
• Skills/Abilities
  • Ability to develop and maintain effective relationships with young people.
  • Evidence of excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Practical experience of financial management processes.
  • Proven skills in developing local assessments of need and evaluating impact.
• Values Orientation Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.
• Our Values Through 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 BACKGROUND

The 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 appointment to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. 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.

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Reports to: Senior Youth Worker or Designated Youth Worker

Responsible for: Occasional/shared responsibility for part-time/project staff

Job purpose: The Centre Based Youth Worker 1 will be responsible for the management of the Youth Centre and for maximising the use of the Centre by young people for agreed purposes, in line with EA policies.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Managing & Developing a Range of Services within the Designated Area

• Work directly with young people by assessing their needs and providing an agreed programme of activities designed to meet those needs, in line with the Youth Service Curriculum for Northern Ireland.
• Develop an individual Annual Action Plan and actively contribute to the Area Plan and the overall strategic plan for the Youth Service.
• Ensure the active participation of young people in the youth work programmes and in the management of the area project.
• In consultation with the Advisory Committee and line manager ensure that objectives are achieved through implementation, monitoring and self evaluation of agreed work programmes.
• Establish contact with, listen to, befriend, advise, support and act as an advocate for young people.
• Encourage and participate in the residential and outdoor education elements of the programme.
• Promote and develop inter-community activities.
• Be responsible to the line manager for all management, administration and financial matters relevant to the Area Project.
• Engage in appropriate fund raising related directly to the approved programme.
• Provide support to youth groups and relevant organisations within the designated area.
• Engage where appropriate in outreach or detached youth work programmes within the designated area.

Developing Staff and Facilities within the Designated Area

• Work with staff and volunteers to develop, implement, manage and evaluate programmes of activities, services and facilities in line with the agreed priorities for the area.
• Ensure the induction, motivation, development, training, deployment and discipline of part-time/project staff and volunteers within the area project.

Working with agencies to develop services across the community

• Work with relevant agencies to develop services within the designated area.

Leading Project Development and Implementation within the Designated Area

• In line with agreed priorities design and implement specific curriculum related projects within the designated area.

Management Responsibility for Staff within the Designated Area

• Supervise appropriate staff, including the management and allocation of duties.

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.