Lead Youth Worker

Lighthouse Project: Byker; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 18,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Coaching & development

Training opportunities

Newly resourced facility

Progression opportunities

Tea & coffee

Job summary

Lighthouse Project: Byker is seeking a part-time youth work lead to plan and deliver open access sessions, building a safe and engaging space for young people in the Byker area. The role involves coordinating staff and volunteers, and applying a trauma-informed approach to behaviour management.

You’ll work with a supportive team, with potential for more hours as the project grows, and training opportunities to develop your skills in youth work and safeguarding.

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people in youth work, education or community settings.
• Experience and confidence in leading on structured group sessions or activities.
• Safeguarding experience and a safeguarding qualification.
• Ability to commit to Monday and Wednesday evening sessions.
• A calm, compassionate, trauma-informed approach.
• First Aid training (or willingness to complete it).

Responsibilities

• Youth club leadership, planning and delivery of open access youth work sessions.
• Creating a safe, inclusive environment that promotes learning, fun and personal development for everyone
• Building positive, trusting relationships with young people, acting as a role model and source of guidance
• Coordinate staff and volunteers during sessions and help to build an empowered, capable delivery team
• Lead the team on managing behaviour confidently using a relational, trauma-informed approach
• Lead on logistics, including session setup, planning resources, and pack-down
• Lead on feedback and reflection processes to support ongoing learning and programme development
• Lead on safeguarding for youth work, following the charities policies and procedures at all times

Skills

Leadership

Youth work

Staff coordination

Behaviour management

Communication

Trauma-informed approach

Education

A Level 2+ in Youth Work, Education or related field

Job description

This is a part-time, session-based role, perfect for someone looking to make a tangible difference while working flexibly. A role that provides leadership, coordination, and high‑quality delivery across our youth club sessions and associated development work. There’s also potential for more hours as the project grows. If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves, bring warmth and structure to each session and help create a space where young people and the sessional youth work staff team feel seen, heard and supported, we’d love to hear from you.

We welcome applications from both employed and self-employed (freelance) workers.

Many of the young people we support are navigating real adversity, and this role will require someone who’s emotionally switched on, confident in managing behaviour and ready to hold boundaries with compassion and consistency. You’ll need to lead by example, bring a calm, grounded presence and create space for young people to make mistakes, reset and try again.

Key responsibilities

• Youth club leadership, planning and delivery of open access youth work sessions, tailored to the needs of young people
• Creating a safe, inclusive environment that promotes learning, fun and personal development for everyone
• Building positive, trusting relationships with young people, acting as a role model and source of guidance, listening to their voices
• Coordinate staff and volunteers during sessions and help to build an empowered, capable delivery team (alongside the Head of Operations)
• Lead the team on managing behaviour confidently using a relational, trauma-informed approach to uphold a positive session culture
• Lead on logistics, including session setup, planning resources, and pack-down
• Lead on feedback and reflection processes to support ongoing learning and programme development
• Lead on safeguarding for youth work, following the charities policies and procedures at all times
• Experience working with young people in youth work, education or community settings
• Safeguarding experience and a safeguarding qualification
• Experience and confidence in leading on structured group sessions or activities
• Experience managing group dynamics and responding to challenging behaviour
• Ability to commit to both Monday and Wednesday evening youth sessions
• Confidence in supporting and coordinating a team of staff and volunteers
• A flexible, proactive mindset with strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to build rapport quickly and maintain professional boundaries
• A Level 2 or above qualification in Youth Work, Education or a related field (or actively working towards one)
• First Aid training (or willingness to complete it)
• Familiarity with the Byker area and the challenges facing young people in the community

Our offer to you

• Supportive coaching and development from the Head of Operations
• Ongoing training opportunities, with potential for advanced youth work qualifications
• A brand-new, fully resourced facility to empower your work
• A chance to shape the youth work programme and make a visible difference in the local community
• Future progression opportunities as the project grows
• A fun, purpose-driven environment with a passionate, tight-knit team and plenty of tea and coffee to keep you going!