Lead Youth Worker

Premier; Tees Valley; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days annual leave plus bankholidays

Up to 9% employer pension contribution

Private Medical Cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Ongoing learning and development

Job summary

KFC Youth Foundation in Middlesbrough seeks an experienced Lead Youth Worker to lead and shape high-quality youth provision. You will oversee staff and volunteers, champion safeguarding, and ensure the hub delivers opportunities that help young people belong, grow and thrive.

You will balance strategic leadership with hands-on delivery, building partnerships and keeping young people at the center of decisions to create a safe, aspirational space where youth voice informs priorities.

Qualifications

• Significant experience leading youth work programmes and services.
• Proven experience managing and developing staff and volunteers.
• Champions youth voice, participation and co-production.
• Strong safeguarding knowledge and professional judgement.
• Ability to build meaningful relationships with young people and partners.
• Commitment to inclusion and equality.

Responsibilities

• Lead high-quality youth provision and hub operations.
• Manage and develop staff and volunteers.
• Embed safeguarding culture across the hub.
• Partner with organisations to create opportunities for young people.
• Ensure an inclusive, welcoming environment where young people feel heard.

Skills

Youth leadership

Staff development

Safeguarding

Partnership building

Inclusion

Job description

08 Nov, 2026# Lead Youth Worker£35,000 yearly* CV-Library* TS1, Middlesbrough, North YorkshirePermanent Charity### Job DescriptionEvery young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.That's the belief that drives everything we do at the KFC Youth Foundation. Through our Middlesbrough Youth Hub, we're creating a vibrant, welcoming and aspirational space where young people can feel safe, be themselves, develop new skills, build confidence and access opportunities that help them achieve their goals.Whether that's supporting wellbeing, building life skills, creating pathways into employment, developing leadership opportunities or simply ensuring young people have a place where they feel heard and valued, we're committed to helping young people shape positive futures.We're now looking for an experienced and inspiring Lead Youth Worker to join us on that journey.The OpportunityThis is an exciting opportunity for an established youth work leader who is passionate about creating opportunities, developing teams and delivering exceptional support for young people.Working closely with the Hub Manager, you'll play a key role in leading high-quality youth provision, shaping an outstanding experience for young people and ensuring our Hub continues to be a place where they can belong, grow and thrive. You'll lead a talented team of staff and volunteers, champion best practice, embed a strong safeguarding culture and help ensure every young person who engages with us receives the very best support and opportunities possible.This is a role for someone who can balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery, someone who enjoys supporting teams to succeed, building strong partnerships and keeping young people at the centre of decision-making.What Makes Our Hub Different?Our Hub is more than a building. It's a place filled with energy, possibility and ambition.We believe young people achieve more when they feel they belong. That's why we've created a space where they can build confidence, discover new interests, access support, develop relationships and explore opportunities they may never have thought possible.We don't believe in delivering services to young people. We work with them.Young people's ideas influence what we do, how we do it and where we focus our efforts.As Lead Youth Worker, you'll help create and protect that culture. You'll play a vital role in ensuring the Hub remains a place where young people feel welcome, respected, supported and inspired to achieve their potential.We're Looking For Someone Who:\\* Has significant experience leading youth work programmes and services.\\* Has proven experience managing, supporting and developing staff and volunteers.\\* Champions youth voice, participation and co-production.\\* Has strong safeguarding knowledge and professional judgement.\\* Can build meaningful relationships with young people, colleagues and partners.\\* Is passionate about inclusion, equality and creating opportunities.\\* Has the confidence and credibility to lead from the front.\\*Believes in the potential of every young person and is committed to helping them succeed.Why Join Us?At the KFC Youth Foundation, you'll be part of a team that genuinely believes in the difference great youth work can make.Alongside a rewarding role, we offer:\\* 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays\\* Up to 9% employer pension contribution\\* Private Medical Cover\\* Employee Assistance Programme\\*Ongoing learning and development opportunitiesJoin UsIf you're an experienced youth work leader who is passionate about creating opportunities, amplifying young people's voices and making a lasting difference, we'd love to hear from you.Please upload your CV and a supporting statement explaining your suitability for the role