Senior Youth Support Worker

Reading Borough Council; England; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government organization in England seeks a Senior Youth Support Worker to lead outreach efforts and support young people in dynamic environments. This role requires strong leadership, safeguarding knowledge, and a commitment to community engagement. Candidates should have experience in youth work and exceptional communication skills. Benefits include flexible working opportunities and generous holiday entitlement.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)

Life Assurance

On-site day nursery

Season Ticket Loan

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in managing outreach or detached youth work.
• Ability to engage young people reluctant to access support.
• Experience supervising staff and building partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Recruit and support Outreach Workers and volunteers.
• Design outreach programmes for young people.
• Build partnerships with local agencies.
• Identify and respond to safeguarding risks.
• Encourage youth citizenship and access to services.
• Maintain records and analyze performance data.

Skills

Leadership

Youth work expertise

Safeguarding knowledge

Communication

Community engagement

Education

Qualification equivalent to NVQ Level 4

Job description

Overview

Maternity cover until Jan 2027.

It’s an exciting time for our Youth Services Team. Over the last year, we’ve taken great strides to modernise our offer—strengthening our outreach provision, embedding trauma-informed practice, and developing a borough-wide youth strategy. We’re building a culture rooted in our Team Reading values, and we need your leadership to help us take the next step.

We seek the best talent from the widest pool of people as diversity and inclusion is the key to our success. Reading Borough Council is a Disability Confident Employer and is committed to the recruitment and continued employment of people with disabilities.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Team Leadership: Recruit, supervise, and support Outreach Workers and volunteers. Ensure safe working practices, manage performance, and foster professional development.
• Service Development: Design and deliver outreach programmes that engage young people in parks, estates, and community spaces. Plan holiday activities and youth work training for community groups.
• Community Engagement: Build strong partnerships with housing teams, police, voluntary organisations, and local communities. Represent the Outreach Team at events and forums.
• Safeguarding & Support: Identify and respond to risks including exploitation, substance misuse, and anti-social behaviour. Ensure safeguarding protocols are followed and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Youth Empowerment: Encourage young people to become active citizens, access education and employment, and influence service design through their lived experiences.
• Data & Reporting: Maintain accurate records, analyse performance data, and contribute to service evaluations and improvement plans.

About you

• We’re seeking a confident and experienced Senior Youth Support Worker who can lead with purpose and passion. You’ll bring a strong foundation in youth work, ideally with a qualification equivalent to NVQ Level 4, and a proven track record of managing outreach or detached youth work.
• You’ll be a natural leader—able to supervise staff, build partnerships, and develop services that respond to the needs of vulnerable young people.
• You’ll be someone who thrives in dynamic environments, with the ability to work flexibly, including evenings and weekends. You’ll have excellent communication skills, a deep understanding of safeguarding, and the ability to engage young people who may be reluctant to access support. Most importantly, you’ll be committed to inclusion, empowerment, and making a lasting difference in the lives of young people across Reading.
• You will be expected to engage with children and young people aged between 7-18.
• You’ll be part of a team that relies on each individual to play their part to the best of their ability. As well as the colleagues that you work closely with every day, you’ll also be part of Team Reading, playing your personal part in making Reading a successful and vibrant place.

Our vision and values

Our vision is to ensure that Reading realises its potential as a great place to live, work and play, and that everyone shares the benefits of this success. Our values and behaviours guide how we will achieve this:

• Work Together as one team - champion and inspire a culture which ensures that all employees across the organisation work together to provide excellent outcomes for Reading
• Drive Efficiency - create an environment in which resources are used efficiently and employees’ skills are developed and used effectively
• Be Ambitious - aspire to deliver excellence and inspire and support others to reach their potential
• Make a Difference to Reading - inspire a culture in which the customer is the focus and where change is welcomed as an opportunity

Our offer

We offer a supportive environment to grow and develop your career with the opportunity to put your ideas across. Innovation and ambition is strongly encouraged, and you’ll get a great feel for that working in our friendly and collaborative environment.

• Generous holiday entitlement - 25 days holiday each year plus bank holidays - rising to 30 days after 5 years’ service and 33 days after 10 years' service, with the option to buy additional leave
• A wide range of flexible working opportunities
• Modern working environment at the Civic Offices in the heart of Reading
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Life Assurance - three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS)
• On-site day nursery (Kennet Day nursery) rated outstanding by Ofsted
• Season Ticket Loan - a loan to help with the cost of your rail or bus journey, to and from work
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand new, greener car for three years. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax

Closing Date: Sunday 16th November 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Interview Process: To be confirmed