Youth Participation Worker (Birmingham)

Recovery Focus; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 28,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Life assurance

Birthday leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

Waythrough in Birmingham seeks a Youth Participation Worker to lead a youth steering group for the Aquarius service, support aftercare for young people leaving treatment, and coordinate diversionary activities. The role includes developing volunteer programmes and ensuring service user involvement across the service.

You will recruit volunteers and peer mentors, implement an involvement strategy, and keep accurate records.

Qualifications

• NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care or equivalent.
• Significant experience with young people.
• Knowledge of project planning and substance misuse sector.
• Proficient MS Office and good record keeping.

Responsibilities

• Actively recruit volunteers and peer mentors.
• Facilitate Youth Steering Group meetings.
• Develop service user involvement strategy and board.
• Deliver volunteer and mentoring programmes.
• Support aftercare provision.
• Coordinate diversionary activities.
• Maintain accurate records and reports.

Skills

Youth work

Project planning

Record keeping

Microsoft Office

Confident self-starter

Education

NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care

DipSW

Mental Health Nursing

Counselling

Addiction Studies

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Birmingham Location: Birmingham

Salary: £25,842 - £27,882

About The Role

An exciting and rewarding opportunity has arisen to join our Aquarius service in Birmingham. The Youth Participation Worker will facilitate and develop a youth steering group for the Aquarius service in Birmingham, support aftercare for young people leaving treatment, and coordinate and facilitate diversionary activities to support young people and their families. The post holder will develop and support delivery of volunteer programmes inclusive of peer support and peer mentoring programmes. They will ensure that service user participation and empowerment is implemented across the service.

Key Responsibilities

• Actively recruit volunteers and peer mentors.
• Facilitate Youth Steering group meetings.
• Work with management to develop and implement a service user involvement strategy, including establishing and supporting a service user board.
• Develop and deliver volunteer, peer mentoring and service user involvement programmes in accordance with the Aquarius organisational framework.
• Support the delivery of aftercare provision.
• Assist colleagues with the coordination and delivery of diversionary activities.
• Keep accurate records and the necessary data for reporting and evaluation purposes.
• Provide written records and reports as required by the organisation.
• Be available to work days, evenings, and weekends when required, to meet the demands of the service and be willing to travel to various locations, as necessary.

Candidate Profile

An energetic and confident self-starter, you have a certificate in youth and community work e.g. NVQ Level 3 or above, DipSW, Mental Health Nursing, Counselling, Addiction Studies or significant experience of working in a similar role with a commitment to complete NVQ Level 3 Health and Social Care. As well as significant knowledge and experience of working with young people, you have knowledge of project planning and experience of working in the substance misuse sector. What's more, you have a flexible approach, a commitment to the principles of confidentiality and excellent record keeping and Microsoft Office.

This is a permanent full-time role requiring the post holder to work 37 hours per week.

About Waythrough

Waythrough is a subsidiary of Aquarius. The company was formed in 2024 following the merger of Humankind and Richmond Fellowship. Together, we've created one of the largest mental health and social support charities in England. Every year, we support around 125,000 people through nearly 200 services - and it's all made possible by our 3,500 brilliant staff and volunteers.

In April 2026, Aquarius, our former subsidiary partner, merged with Waythrough.

Our vision is to break down the barriers that stop people getting the support they need to live a life they value. We tackle poverty and disadvantage in communities, through mental health, drug and alcohol, housing and related support. We have 260 services around England - and nearly 3,500 amazing staff and volunteers who run them. Every year our services support around 130,000 people.

Please note: The salary listed reflects the full earning potential for this role. Starting salaries depend on experience and progression within the band.

What We Offer

We value the people who make a difference every day. Alongside meaningful work, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package:

• 27 days' annual leave, rising to 32 after 1 year (plus bank holidays)
• Pension scheme with 4.5% employer contribution, matched up to 6.5%
• Life assurance (3× annual salary)
• Enhanced sick pay and family-friendly pay
• Birthday leave and the option to buy up to 5 extra days' annual leave
• Professional fee reimbursement for relevant qualifications
• 24/7 online GP access and Employee Assistance Programme
• Recognition and long service awards via our Way to Go and Aspirations portals
• £500 Recommend a Friend bonus
• Cycle to Work scheme and Credit Union membership
• Discounts via Blue Light Card, Charity Discounts, Extras and Tickets for Good
• Free will writing service and wellbeing initiatives throughout the year

Inclusion & Accessibility

Waythrough is proud to be an equal opportunities employer. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and communities, especially those with lived experience of the issues we support. We have signed up to the Disability Confident Scheme - all applicants are welcome, and adjustments can be made to enable fair participation.

If you need adjustments or support to apply, please email our recruitment team: [e-mail]

Closing Date

2026-10-01