Head of Youth Work

This is an exciting role with a significant amount of autonomy for an ambitious and experienced youth work professional.

We are looking for someone who can provide leadership and management to a team of Youth Workers while also taking operational responsibility for the 7 day a week universal youth work offer. WEST Youth Zone will be the leading provider of universal access youth work in Hammersmith and Fulham, and being part of the OnSide network will magnify that impact.

Position: Head of Youth Work

Salary: GBP40,000 to GBP45,000 (dependent upon experience)

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week, 5 days out of 7

Contract: Permanent

Location: White City

Benefits: 3% matched contribution pension; 33 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays (rising with length of service); free gym access (once WEST has opened); access to OnSide s Talent Academy; bespoke training and mentoring.

Closing Date: Monday 15th January 2024

First Interview: Thursday 18th January 2024

Second Interview Monday 22nd January 2024

About the Role

As Head of Youth Work you will hold overall responsibility for delivering a vibrant, open-access Youth Zone for the young people of Hammersmith & Fulham, working with up to 300 young people per session. You will be accountable for the effective development and delivery of the core provision including junior, senior and holiday clubs. You will also be expected to work in line with quality assurance for youth work, and ensure that the Youth Zone provides a fun, supportive, safe and inclusive place which attracts and retains young people to motivate them and raise their aspirations.

Key responsibilities will include:

StaffingThe Offer (Programme)Young PeoplePolicy, Compliance and Quality AssuranceLeadership

The successful candidate will work in tandem with the Chief Executive, the Senior Leadership Team and the Board of Trustees to help WEST achieve its goal of delivering life-changing youth work to young people in Hammersmith and Fulham.

About You

You will be driven, hardworking, organised and equally comfortable engaging with young people and staff/volunteers. You will have a sense of fun, plenty of energy but also a calm temperament and the ability to operate at a senior level. You will believe in young people s potential and be proactive and can-do. You won t be afraid to get stuck in leading sessions yourself if needed, and you will lead on safeguarding within the organisation.

If you are looking for a leadership position that requires creativity, that will enable you to flourish, be ambitious, operate both strategically and operationally, and drive success then this is the position for you.

You will have:

Experience of youth workExperience of leading and managing youth work activitiesExperience of managing staff and volunteersA track record of successful project or programme managementExperience of managing budgetsExperience managing conflict between young people and establish clear behaviour standardsTrack record of developing opportunities for young people to participate in decision making processes

In accordance with Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an enhanced DBS check

About the Organisation

Hammersmith & Fulham is a neighbourhood of wide disparities, with an acute need for youth services. WEST Youth Zone is a vital provision that will make a huge difference to the lives of young people, and to the whole borough, levelling the playing field for our young people.

Construction of Hammersmith & Fulham s Youth Zone, named WEST by local young people, is due to open in spring 2024 as the fourth OnSide Youth Zone in London. At WEST, we believe all young people in Hammersmith & Fulham should have the opportunity to discover their passion and their purpose. Youth Zone will be a purpose-built space fizzing with energy and crammed with incredible facilities. It will be staffed by skilled and dedicated youth workers who truly believe in young people in the city helping them see what they could achieve, and giving them the skills, confidence and ambition to go for it.

This role will be based in the Youth Zone and therefore require an Enhanced DBS.

You may also have experience in areas such as Child and Youth Program Assistant, Assistant Youth Development Worker, Youth Worker, Child and Youth Development, Youth Support Worker, Mental Health Youth Worker, Educational Youth Worker, Support worker Children and Young People, Youth Support Assistant, Behaviour Support Assistant, Residential Youth Worker, Child Care Worker etc.