Senior Youth Worker

Portsmouth; Portsmouth; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 18,000; Full time

Job summary

Portsmouth City Council is seeking a Youth Worker to support young people aged 11–19 across Portsmouth. The role requires 9 hours per week to be worked across 3 evenings (18:00–21:00) with flexibility to work at different sites and occasional weekends.

You will plan and lead sessions on relationships, sexual health, bullying, racism and substance misuse; facilitate inclusive activities in sports, dance, cooking and creative projects; manage spaces such as the coffee bar; handle challenging

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people aged 11–19.
• Excellent communication with young people, staff and stakeholders.
• Ability to plan onsite and off-site group activities including DofE.
• Self-directed and able to work as part of a team.
• Flexible hours including evenings and occasional weekends.
• Full clean driving licence advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Plan and lead sessions on relationships, sexual health, bullying, racism and substance misuse.
• Facilitate inclusive activities such as sports, dance, cooking and creative projects.
• Manage spaces like the coffee bar and support a welcoming environment.
• Handle challenging behaviour with empathy and professionalism.
• Undertake detached outreach work across Portsmouth in hotspot areas.

Skills

Youth engagement

Communication skills

English proficiency

Job description

Working Hours:

9

Location:

Closing Date:

29/11/2026

Job Category:

Youth Work

Region / Division:

UK Region

Directorate:

Housing, Neighbourhood & Building Services

Job Introduction

9 hours per week to be worked across 3 evenings 18:00 - 21:00 (days to be discussed)

Staff need to be flexible in terms of availability as well as working from different sites

About the Youth Service:

Our Youth Service is here to inspire and support young people aged 11–19 (and up to 25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities). We provide friendly Information, Advice and Guidance, alongside a wide range of fun, engaging activities through our youth clubs and community projects—helping young people connect, learn and grow.

We are especially committed to supporting those who may be facing challenges, including vulnerability around substance misuse, youth offending, teenage pregnancy or homelessness. By offering positive opportunities and trusted, caring support, we help young people build confidence, make informed choices and create brighter futures.

As a Youth Worker, you’ll be at the heart of our mission—engaging with young people aged 11–19 in youth clubs and out in the community. You’ll help them shape their own experiences by encouraging participation and co-creating activities that matter to them.

Your work will include:

• Planning and leading sessions on key topics like relationships, sexual health, bullying, racism, and substance misuse.
• Facilitating fun andinclusiveactivities such as sports, dance, cooking, and creative projects.
• Managing spaces like the coffee bar and supporting a respectful, welcoming environment.
• Handling challenging behaviour with empathy and professionalism.

You’ll also take part in detached outreach work, connecting with young people in hotspot areas across Portsmouth—whether in parks, on the seafront, or in shopping precincts. You’ll buildtrust, offer guidance, and signpost to other services when needed.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about youth work, enjoys being active in the community, and wants to make a real difference in young people’s lives.

Who is the person?

You need to:

• Have previous experience of working with young people aged 11 - 19 years.
• Have excellent communication skills and be able to engage effectively with young people, staff, and stakeholders.
• The ability to converse at ease with service users and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
• Be able to plan group activities onsite and off-site that engages young people and encourages learning and self-development, including for the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) programme.
• Be self-directed and able to work as part of a team.
• Be able to role model professional practice to other staff and demonstrate effective ways of engaging young people.
• Be able to recognise when young people are having issues and be able torespond appropriately, offeringsupport and signposting to other agencies if necessary.
• Be able to make sound decisions to ensure the safety and well-being of young people, staff, and the wider community.
• Have anunderstandingof anti-discriminatory practice, this is essential.
• Be open minded but recognise andchallenge inappropriateness in a young person's behaviour or language when necessary.
• Be flexible in your hours of work as you will need availability to work in the evenings and occasional weekends for off- site activities, and to work City Wide if required to meet the needs of the service.
• Be prepared to attend supervision, appropriate training relevant to the post, and team meetings as required.

Having a full clean driving licence would be advantageous for this post.

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration , inclusivity and being people-focussed . These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours .

Additional Information

You must demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Portsmouth City Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment . Every post is subject to PCC and Portsmouth Safeguarding Children Partnership safer recruitment procedures.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) at Enhanced level will be required prior to any offer of employment and this post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974. Please read the relevant DBS privacy notice before submitting any information.

You will need to explain any gaps in your career history within the last 5 years - this is essential for all safeguarding roles.