Deputy Youth Centre Manager

Portsmouth City Council; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 21,000; Part time

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council’s Play, Youth and Community Service is seeking a dynamic lead to work with young people across our four youth clubs. The role is 22.5 hours per week, with some weekday evenings, requiring commitment to safe practice and inclusive engagement.

You’ll plan and deliver sessions on issues such as sexual health, relationships, bullying, and substance misuse, and may take part in sport, dance, cooking, or outdoor activities.

Qualifications

• Experience in informal education or youth work settings.
• Ability to lead and support a team with confidence and compassion.
• Passionate about youth voice and participation.
• Knowledge of safeguarding children and young people.

Responsibilities

• Plan and run sessions on topics like sexual health, relationships, bullying, and substances.
• Lead youth club activities including sport, dance, and cooking sessions.
• Support positive behaviour through restorative approaches and de-escalation.
• Help foster inclusivity and equality across clubs.

Skills

Youth work / informal education

Team leadership

Safeguarding knowledge

De-escalation techniques

Community engagement

Job description

Are you ready to lead, inspire, and support young people in a dynamic youth club environment? Make a real difference in young lives! This post is 22.5 hours per week Monday - Friday (including 4 weekday evenings 1800 - 2100, the rest of the hours are to be discussed but split over 2 or 3 days).

Your new role

Portsmouth City Council’s Play, Youth and Community Service (PYC) is dedicated to creating safe, inclusive, and empowering spaces for young people. We manage 4 youth clubs, a music studio, and a range of youth projects for ages 11–19 (and up to 25 with SEND). We offer support, guidance, and opportunities for children and young people to thrive and overcome a variety of challenges.

Youth clubs offer young people a space to:

• Explore their identity
• Build confidence and decision‑making skills
• Develop interpersonal relationships
• Reflect on their choices and actions

This leads to more informed decisions and better outcomes for young people. You’ll plan and run sessions on a range of issues including sexual health, relationships, sexism, racism, bullying, and substance misuse. You might also be joining in sport or dance activities, cooking with young people, or taking them out for an activity. You’ll help foster a culture of respect and may need to manage challenging behaviour.

We’re proud to work in a way that values others, promotes collaboration, and focuses on what matters most - making a lasting impact on young people’s lives.

Please visit our website for more information: www.pycportsmouth.co.uk/youth

Who is the person?

You’re someone who:

• Connects easily with young people and understands their world.
• Has experience in informal education or youth work settings.
• Can lead and support a team with confidence and compassion.
• Is passionate about youth voice and participation—you believe young people should help shape the services they use.
• Can recognise when young people are having issues and respond appropriately, offering support and signposting.
• Is organised and confident in managing administrative responsibilities.
• Can manage challenging behaviour using restorative approaches and de‑escalation techniques.
• Champions inclusivity and equality, and isn’t afraid to challenge discrimination.
• Can track and celebrate young people’s achievements, including through DofE and other accreditations.
• Has up‑to‑date working knowledge of safeguarding children and young people.
• Is resilient when faced with difficult and challenging situations.
• Is flexible and willing to support other PYC youth clubs across Portsmouth.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people‑focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours.

Local Government Reorganisation (LGR)

As part of Local Government Reorganisation, current plans will see Portsmouth City Council combine with the district and borough councils of Fareham, Gosport and Havant and parts of East Hampshire and Winchester district councils to form a new, larger unitary authority for south east Hampshire.

We are working towards an implementation date of 1st April 2028, known as vesting day, subject to Parliamentary approval. Until then, we remain focused on maintaining continuity, supporting our workforce, and continuing to deliver excellent services to our residents throughout the transition to the new unitary authority.

This is an exciting time to join us, offering the opportunity to contribute to organisational transformation, develop your career, and help shape future services for our communities.

More information about Local Government Reorganisation can be found on our website: https:\/\/www.portsmouth.gov.uk\/services\/council-and-democracy\/your-council\/devolution-and-lgr\/

Our recruitment process

Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful.

We reserve the right to close the advert early if we have a large number of applications.

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Standard/Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.

You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.