Youth Worker at Esteem

Community Base; Shoreham-by-Sea; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 28,000; Part time

Job summary

Esteem is seeking a Youth Worker to join our youth charity in Shoreham-by-Sea. The role is permanent and part-time (30 hours/week), with most work in person at The Old School House and limited hybrid options. You will run group activities for 14–26 year olds, provide one-to-one support, and uphold safeguarding and inclusive practice.

Salary up to £28,000 FTE (£22,400 pro-rata) with room for negotiation. You will need experience with youth work or a community setting, a Level 3 qualification in

Qualifications

• Experience working directly with young adults in a youth/community setting.
• Ability to support young people using strengths-based, participatory approaches.
• Understanding safeguarding and confidentiality principles.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver group activities for 14–26 year olds.
• Provide one-to-one support and guidance to participants.
• Maintain safeguarding and accurate recording of outcomes.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Empathy

Trauma-informed

Problem solving

Initiative

Teamwork

Education

Level 3 qualification in youth work or equivalent

Tools

Google Workspace

Upshot CRM

Job description

We are looking for someone with experience in the youth or community sector, who has worked directly with young adults in a strengths-based and participatory way to join us as a Youth Worker. Esteem is a youth charity built by and for young adults aged 14 to 26, offering group activities and one-to-one support in Shoreham-by-Sea. In our space, any young adult can find their people, take on real responsibility, and discover what they are capable of.

Based at: The Old School House, Shoreham-by-sea, with some limited options for flexible/ hybrid working. It is expected that the majority of your time will be in person as this is a role working directly with young adults

Contract: Permanent position - Part time

Hours: 30 hours per week

Working Pattern: Monday 12:30pm to 08:30pm, Wednesday 12:30pm to 08:30pm, Thursday 10:00am to 06:00pm and Friday 10:00 am to 6:00pm - Tuesday is a non-working day.

Pay: £28,000 FTE (Pro-rata £22,400 actual gross) with scope for negotiation depending on experience and qualifications

Who we are looking for

• We are looking for someone with experience in the youth or community sector, who has worked directly with young adults in a strengths-based and participatory way. You will need to show us that you can collaborate, plan, solve problems, use your initiative and connect with people.
• Esteem strives for excellence in safeguarding young adults and adults at risk, and in promoting the safety and welfare of everyone who comes through our doors.
• If you meet most of what follows and are not sure about the rest, we would still like to hear from you.

Essential experience and knowledge

• Experience working directly with young adults, with demonstrable youth work skills or experience in a youth development or community setting. We would usually expect around two years, though we welcome applications from people whose experience has taken a different shape.
• Experience supporting young adults in a social environment.
• Experience of participatory, strengths-based practice, where young adults lead.
• A strong understanding of accessibility, and of what young adults from different backgrounds bring and need.
• A Level 3 qualification in youth work or equivalent, or a willingness to work towards one.
• Experience of supporting young men's wellbeing and mental health, and an understanding of what helps young men talk, connect and look after themselves.

Essential skills and abilities

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including text and digital communication, particularly with young adults who have found other services hard to access.
• Empathy, and the ability to work in a trauma-informed way both one to one and in groups.
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• The ability to facilitate interactive, age-appropriate activities with a youth-led approach.
• An awareness of safeguarding practice for young people and adults at risk, including relevant training.
• The ability to keep good records and to use IT and online systems to record outcomes and monitor performance. Currently we use google workspace and Upshot as our CRM.

What you will do

Leading group activities

• Plan and deliver regular social sessions alongside young adults, for under 18s (14 to 17) and over 18s (18 to 26), including Esteem's drop-ins. These currently run Monday 6pm to 8pm, Wednesday 4.30pm to 8pm and Friday 4pm to 5.30pm, with Shoreham Academy sessions on Friday 12pm to 2pm.
• Organise, coordinate, deliver and report on short projects that run across the year:
  • Esteem's HAF holiday club, which runs up to three times a year
  • A new young men's group, where young men build a positive understanding of their gender, healthy relationships and mental health.
  • Learn To inclusive physical activity sessions, where young adults who don't currently exercise get active on their own terms
• Working is required on the occasional bank holiday, and weekend on a rota basis, as agreed with the line manager.
• Support the Wellbeing Project Worker to deliver wellbeing activities such as surfing, hikes and trips.
• Keep our sessions genuinely open, so that young adults from every background find a way in and a reason to stay.
• Work with colleagues and young adults to develop a range of activities that build connection, confidence and community.

One-to-one support

• Introducing new young adults to Esteem, our ethos and connecting them to opportunities at the organisation.
• Work alongside young adults to support their engagement in group sessions, whether that’s supporting them to join a group for the first time, or to repair conflict, or work through whatever is getting in the way.
• Help young adults find and stay involved in opportunities, both at Esteem and elsewhere.

What you are like

• Helpful, cooperative and tuned in to other people, with a commitment to Esteem being youth-informed and youth-led.
• Someone who lives out Esteem's values: trust, support, respect.
• Reliable, honest and careful with confidentiality.
• Someone with a good sense of humour and a positive attitude, who can gently challenge a young adult who is selling themselves short and encourage them to try something new.
• Approachable and flexible when things do not go to plan, and able to use your initiative.
• Willing to flex and support the rest of the team as the needs of young adults and the organisation change.
• Friendly and curious, interested in understanding other people's perspectives and experiences.