Lead Youth Work Practitioner

DYS Space Ltd; Tiverton; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused charity in Tiverton is seeking a Lead Youth Work Practitioner to lead and support youth programs in various settings. The ideal candidate will have experience or transferable skills, strong leadership qualities, and a passion for advocating for young people. This 1-year fixed-term contract offers competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and a commitment to equality and diversity in the workplace.

Benefits

6 weeks annual leave

Pension contributions starting at 6%

Employee assistance programme

Continuous Professional Development

Enhanced sick pay

Qualifications

• Experienced youth worker or confident in transferable skills required.
• High commitment to continuous professional practice.
• Respectful and kind demeanor.

Responsibilities

• Leading youth work in various settings.
• Supporting development of coworkers and volunteers.
• Planning, evaluating, and evidencing youth work.

Skills

Leadership

Empathy

Creativity

Multitasking

Job description

DYS316: Lead Youth Work Practitioner
Location: Tiverton
Employment Type: 1 year fixed term Maternity Cover
Hours: 30
Salary: JNC: unqualified scale pt SCT12 - 13 (£30,745.00 - £31,885.00), qualified scale pt SCY14 - 17 (£33,066.00 - £35,533.00)
Deadline for application: 11th February 2026
Interview Date: 23rd February 2026

SPACE is an ambitious and innovative charity, driven by our values and seeking to support even more young people by developing current and new services. Our employees strive to achieve the best they can and must be committed to seeing the best in others. We value everyone's contribution and create safe spaces for exploration and growth. Do you want to help us unlock potential with young people and their communities? Do you love a challenge? We have an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to work with young people in our Tiverton Youth Centre and local communities. This post requires either an experienced youth worker or someone looking to change careers and work with young people as part of the youth work team. Transferable skills will be considered. Our Youth Centres are busy and vibrant spaces. The successful candidate will enjoy the challenge of leading sessions alongside providing young people with individual packages of support.

What is the role?

• Leading youth work in a variety of settings
• Supporting the development of co workers and volunteers
• Codesigning and supporting the delivery of social action projects in the community
• Working with partners and stakeholders
• Planning, evaluating and evidencing of youth work
• Helping young people to develop skills and put their ideas into action

Who we’re looking for

About You:

• Experienced youth worker or confident that you have the transferable skills required for the demands of the post
• Leadership and confidence
• Passion for supporting and advocating for the rights of young people
• Creativity and solution focused thinking
• Respectful with excellent empathy and kindness
• Ability to multitask, set priorities and reach out when you need help and support
• High commitment to continuous professional practice
• A reflective practitioner

Space is an inclusive and learning organisation. Our employees should strive to achieve the best they can and must be committed to seeing the best in others.

Equality and Diversity

As part of our ambitions to improve equality and diversity, we would particularly welcome applications for this role from those who identify under any of the protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010, which include race, age, disability, gender, religion or belief, and sexual orientation.

What we offer

• Annual leave: 6 weeks for the first 5 years then increased to 7 weeks (pro-rata’d for part-time roles)
• Additional 3 Statutory days given between Christmas and new year plus bank holidays
• Pension contributions starting at 6% rising to 8% in the third year
• Employee assistance programme 24/7
• Casual dress code
• Social occasions
• Continuous Professional Development: Formal and informal training opportunities
• Enhanced sick pay
• Trained wellbeing champions available for a chat
• Chromebook and work mobile
• Value-driven culture

How to apply

Please read the job description and apply by completing our application form, describing your passion for this role even if you don’t feel you meet every point in the description. If you’d like an informal discussion about the role, please contact Steve Brind on 07764 326431 or for more information please visit www.spaceyouthservices.org. To apply for this post please download and complete the attached application form and return this either via email as an MS Word document to [e-mail] or posting to DYS Space Ltd, 100 Club, Wear Barton Road, Exeter, Devon EX2 7EH. The deadline for applications is Wednesday 11th February 2026. The interview will be held at Tiverton youth centre Bolham Rd, Tiverton EX16 6SG on Monday 23rd February 2026.

Safeguarding and Pre-Employment Screening

• An identity check (photo ID)
• Receipt of satisfactory references cover for 3 years to current
• Documentary evidence of right to work in the UK
• A satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)