Youth Support Worker

Barnardo's; Harlow; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Full time

Job summary

A charitable organization is looking for passionate Youth Support Workers to engage with young people in Harlow. This role involves designing services that enhance their wellbeing and opportunities, providing emotional support, and working flexible hours to meet community needs. The ideal candidates will have experience working with young people aged 10-25 and a commitment to safeguarding. Opportunities are available in both full-time and part-time capacities.

Benefits

Ongoing personal development

1:1 support from supervisors

Opportunity to make a positive impact

Qualifications

• Experience working with young people aged 10-25 years is essential.
• Skills in creating engaging workshops and group activities.
• Understanding of safeguarding policies.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement co-designed service for young people.
• Support young people's emotional and practical needs.
• Work alongside Barnardo's and Co-op staff in community settings.

Skills

Engaging with young people

Designing and delivering group work sessions

Providing emotional support

Flexibility to work evenings and weekends

Collaborating with community partners

Job description

About the Role

Are you looking for a new opportunity for 2026? Are you passionate about working with children and young people? Are you enthusiastic about developing excellent and inclusive services with young people to enhance their wellbeing, happiness and opportunities?

Our new partnership with the Co-op is an exciting innovative project where we aim to support over 750k young people, aged 10‑25 years across 2 years. To deliver this, we are recruiting a team of Youth Support Workers with both full‑time and part‑time opportunities available across 20 locations.

Location

Harlow

Initially, you will work alongside Barnardo's colleagues and young people in the local area to design and kick‑start the brand new co‑designed service. This is an exciting and varied role that will evolve as the service develops.

Partnership Goals

• Improve mental wellbeing
• Improve access to basic needs (food)
• Improve access to opportunities

What We’re Looking For

• Confident and creative in engaging and working alongside young people aged between 10‑25 years.
• Skilled in designing and delivering group‑work sessions for young people.
• Able to provide emotional and practical support to young people, in line with safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Flexible to work evenings and weekends where required to meet the needs of the service.
• Able to work in partnership with Co‑op, Children’s Services and the community, whilst keeping young people at the centre.

Session Times

• Monday 5‑7 pm
• Wednesday 6‑8 pm

In return for your commitment, you will be supported with meaningful and supportive 1:1’s, ongoing personal development and opportunities to make positive change in young people’s lives.

Additional Resources

Our Co‑op partnership Youth Advisory Group has made a short film to support recruitment of staff for our community services across the UK.
Barnardo's | Recruitment of Staff for Co‑op Partnership by the Youth Advisory Group (youtube.com)

When completing your application please refer to your skills, knowledge and experience in relation to the Person Specification, Job Description and Additional Information document.

For more information on our exciting partnership with the Co-op, please see our additional information sheet via the link below.

For an informal chat about the role, please contact Robyn Dunn on [e-mail] – South East and London Region Children's Service Manager.

Please note due to the high volume of applications for some posts, this advert might close before the displayed closing date. We recommend that you apply for this role as soon as possible.