Youth Support Worker

Essex County Council; Colchester; On-site; GBP 12,000 - 14,000; Part time

Job summary

A local government organization in Colchester seeks a passionate Part Time Youth Support Worker. In this role, you will work 18 hours each week, focusing on empowering young people and developing community youth programs. You will need a JNC recognised qualification or be willing to qualify, and experience working with youth. The position requires engagement during evenings and weekends, alongside a supportive team dedicated to youth development. Benefits include training opportunities and a strong commitment to work-life balance.

Benefits

Healthy work life balance

Wide range of learning and development opportunities

30 days annual leave (full time equivalent)

Qualifications

• Qualified at level 2 or above in a JNC recognised Youth Work Qualification or willing to undertake training.
• Good level of numeracy and literacy, ideally grade C/4 in Maths and English.
• Experience working with young people and communities, including voluntary roles.

Responsibilities

• Identify areas of need in the community for youth work around Colchester.
• Support service development with the community to enhance independence.
• Negotiate with young people on programme planning and implementation.

Skills

Building relationships

Working with young people

Team collaboration

Literacy

Numeracy

Education

JNC recognised Youth Work Qualification (level 2 or above)

Job description

Part Time Youth Support Worker

Permanent, Part Time

£25,580 to £26,924 per annum, full time equivalent.

Location:

Colchester

Closing Date:

Wednesday 28th January 2026 at 11.59pm

Please note that this is a part time opportunity, offering 18 hours per week.

Interview Dates:

16th, 17th, and 19th February.

About Us:

We're looking for a passionate and talented individual to join our Youth Service Team to support the development of youth work in the community. If you're driven, innovative, and eager to make an impact, we want to hear from you!

The role is part time, working 18 hours per week and will require evening and weekend work. The pro‑rate salary will be from £12,444.33 to £13,098.16 per annum.

Benefits:

• Healthy work life balance.
• Wide range of learning and development opportunities.
• IT equipment and home‑working equipment supplied.
• 30 days annual leave (full time equivalent) + bank holidays + choice to buy extra.
• Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards.
• Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with LifeWorks.
• Up to 4 days per year pro‑rate Volunteering leave.

Essex County Council is proud to offer an excellent benefits package to all its employees.

The Role:

Working face to face with young people as part of a team, you will ensure young people have positive experiences, by working with them to identify what's important to them and then being part of developing good youth work activities with them.

You will need to be someone who can focus on putting young people at the heart of your work. Working flexible hours, including evenings, weekends and residentials, you will join an experienced team of youth workers in a variety of youth work settings. You will be based at Colchester Townhouse Youth Centre in Colchester and will work with local youth work teams including volunteers in community youth clubs. Areas covered will include the Colchester and Tendring districts.

What will you be doing?

• Identify areas of need and opportunity within the community where a youth work programme can be identified to support the development of youth provision delivered by the community.
• Support the development of services by working with the community to enhance their skills so they can be more independent in design and delivery of services.
• Negotiate with young people and their communities on their involvement in the programme planning, implementation, and evaluation.
• Contribute to and promote the programme to ensure that opportunities are accessible to all who wish to become involved.
• As part of the team involve young people in the decision‑making processes whereby individuals and groups take on responsibilities for themselves and others in their project and the wider community.
• As part of the team respond to individual and group needs, including issues affecting young people, and promote self‑awareness and self‑esteem.
• To deliver or support the direct delivery of youth work programmes as may be required, to include residential experiences for young people.
• Take part in management supervision and the staff performance management scheme, to identify priorities and learning needs and to be responsible for the learning and development of self and to complete all required training and accreditation within 2 years of starting employment.
• Follow Child Protection Guidelines and report any concerns using the correct procedure and comply with individual responsibilities for staff and young people, in accordance with work role, for health and safety in the workplace.
• Ensure all duties and services provided are in accordance with the County Council Equal Opportunities Policy and Practice.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties commensurate with the level and accountabilities of the post as directed by the District Youth Worker.

About You:

You will:

• Be qualified at level 2 or above in a JNC recognised Youth Work Qualification or be prepared to undertake training.
• Have a good level of numeracy and literacy, having achieved a grade C/4 in Maths and English.
• Have experience of working with young people and communities which may be in a voluntary role.
• Have the ability to build relationships and relate well to people.
• Be able to work in a changing environment.
• Be committed to challenging prejudice and ignorance.
• Have the ability to develop work with young people and communities to achieve planned outcomes.
• Have the ability to work as part of a team.

Please note that the job role requires you to be mobile throughout an operational area. Therefore, the post holder will need to have a driving licence and access to a vehicle, or the ability to meet the mobility requirements of the role through other means.