Youth Welfare Officer

Young Roots; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Greater London is seeking an experienced practitioner to support young refugees aged 18-25 in navigating the asylum system. This role includes providing short-term casework support, planning group activities, and fostering safe, trusting relationships with young people. You will work closely with colleagues to deliver impactful youth services in Brent, Croydon, and King's Cross, ensuring the wellbeing and safeguarding of participants are prioritized. Evening work may be required.

Qualifications

• Experience supporting young people aged 18-25 in a related field.
• Capable of delivering group sessions, trips, and activities.
• Ability to build strong, trusting relationships with young people.

Responsibilities

• Provide early intervention and short-term casework support.
• Plan and deliver group sessions and outreach activities.
• Support young people navigating the UK asylum system.

Skills

Youth work experience

Casework experience

Relationship building

Safeguarding principles

Communication skills

Job description

Overview

Our youth clubs and casework are transformative for young refugees, allowing young people who have fled danger, experienced traumatic journeys, and are often here alone to find community and connection, a space to be a young person, and access support to address a range of practical challenges they face. We also draw on our evidence from working every day with young refugees and asylum seekers to call for change to the laws and policies which are harming young people.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced practitioner with both youth work and casework experience to make a meaningful difference to the lives of young people in the UK asylum system. You will support young people aged 18-25, including those age‑assessed as 18+, living in contingency and dispersal accommodation, helping them access social, emotional and practical support as they navigate the asylum system.

Responsibilities

Working closely with Youth Welfare Caseworkers who hold more complex, long‑term cases, you will provide early intervention and short‑term casework support alongside consistent, relational youth work. You will also contribute to the ongoing monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the service, as required, helping to evidence impact and inform service development.

This role is primarily based in Brent, where you will coordinate the delivery of the Ahlan youth club with another Youth Welfare Officer and contribute to regular outreach to young people living in local hotels. You will help plan and deliver group sessions, trips and activities, creating safe, engaging and empowering spaces for young people. You will act as a trusted point of contact, building strong relationships, offering one‑to‑one support, and accompanying, referring and signposting young people to appropriate services, while working closely with colleagues to ensure safeguarding and wellbeing are prioritised.

You may also be required to support the delivery of our other Youth Welfare youth clubs in Croydon and King's Cross, and some evening work may be required as part of the role.

All work is delivered in line with Young Roots' values, using a trauma‑informed, asset‑based and youth‑led approach.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement should be no more than 800 words, answering the following questions:

• What is your motivation for working with Young Roots?
• What is your motivation for applying for this role specifically?
• What skills and experience would you bring that will enable you to be successful in this role?

Please ensure you refer to the minimum requirements on the person specification and provide examples to demonstrate how and where you meet the criteria.