DIGITAL DESIGN
AND TECHNOLOGY
LEAD

Location:  Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone

Contract: : 37.5 hours per. Evenings and Weekends

(minimum of four delivery sessions with young people per week)

Salary:   Up to £27,000

(dependent on experience and qualification)

Reporting to: Head of Service

Registered Charity Number 1135949

ABOUT BLACKBURN & DARWEN
YOUTH ZONE

Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone, opened in May
2012 as an independent Charity, but we are proud to
be part of the growing OnSide Network.

We work with young people aged 5-19 (up to 25
with additional needs) and offer youth work, health
and wellbeing and employability services, giving
young people somewhere to go, something to do
and someone to talk to. Whilst our building and
activities provide a hook for young people to initially
engage with us, the relationships they develop with
our team of Youth Workers ensures they return night
after night. We pride ourselves as being one of the
leading youth organisations in Blackburn and
Darwen.

Our service to young people is focussed around a
state-of-the-art, multi million pound facility that is
purpose-built and remains dedicated to young
people. This facility has recently undergone a 3
million pound transformation thanks to the Youth
Investment Fund. This funding has allowed us to
redevelop our Blackburn site to be able to offer a
wider range of services for young people whilst
celebrating the history of the building. Our newly
developed Fusebox is the site where electricity was
first generated in Blackburn. Alongside our history
we also have a football pitch on our roof, this is one
of Blackburn’s best kept secrets!

Our services for young people are needed more
than ever and despite the prevalent challenges
around the lasting impact of the pandemic, young
people feeling isolated and the cost of living crisis,
our team continues to provide a home from home
for young people.

OPENED JAN 2012

FREE ENTRY, FREE
HOT MEALS

5000+

YOUNG PEOPLE ATTEND
OUR SERVICE P/A

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

3 MILLION POUND
TRANSFORMATION

Registered Charity Number  1135949

How we made a difference in 2024

22,834

Young people supported by
Blackburn & Darwen  Youth Zone
since it opened its doors in 2012

17%

Young people with
additional needs

27,095

Free hot meals to young people

Young Person quote

''Youth zone has helped me
make more friends.''

493

Sessions held

66,478

Attendances

Per annum

1,446

New members in 2024

576

Young People
Supported into
Education,
Employment or
Training
(since the launch
of Youth Hub in
2021)

13,337

 Engagements in Maker
Zone ( STEM )

26,639
Engagements in Sports

8,160

Engagements in health &
wellbeing

Young Person quote

“I wouldn’t be where I am now if I didn’t
have the support of the Blackburn
Youth Hub. Through 1-1s they have
given me the opportunity to gain my
confidence back and they have helped
me push my limits even further and got
me out of my shell.”

Registered Charity Number  1135949

The role
Making, alongside sport, the arts and Youth Work is at the heart of B&DYZ’s
offer to young people. The purpose built ‘Making Zone’ offers a wide range of
technical and creative opportunities for young people including, 3D printing,
electronics & programming, STEAM, moulding & casting and much more.
Together with our partners The Making Rooms - an organisation dedicated to
creative and technical training, you will help develop and deliver a diverse
and exciting programme of activities aimed at young people aged 5 to 25
years, that stimulates, develops and meets the needs of young people from
all backgrounds and abilities. You will utilise creativity and technical problem
solving in the wider youth work agenda supporting and encouraging young
people to express themselves, develop their technical abilities and facilitate
personal development by developing their skills through positive
engagement and experiences.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To schedule, design, coordinate and deliver a comprehensive making
programme for young people aged 5 to 25 at B&DYZ which will enable
them to build their confidence, creative and technical skills, social skills
and overall well being.
To have line management responsibility for the arts and creative team,
helping guide, support and coach so their delivery meets our quality
assurance framework standards.
Provide a universal service to all children and young people that is well
marketed and reaches across the borough to ensure membership is
reflective of local demographics promoting social mix within the sessions.
To ensure that the programme is high quality and meets the needs of the
young people, including young people with additional needs and
disabilities and young people who may typically not engage in these
provisions.
To ensure that the programme contributes to the wider youth work
agenda, supporting the development of personal and art skills of young
people
To ensure all sessions are equipped with a range of resources and
activities to engage, develop and inform young people.
To ensure all programme delivery is safe.
To organise events, challenges, competitions and showcases, both
internally and externally on a regular basis.

Registered Charity Number  1135949

To support the promotion plan and work in the community to attract
young people.
To motivate, encourage and support young people to participate fully in
sessions.
To network with local appropriate groups and community providers and
other partner organisations to develop joint working programmes.
In conjunction with other partners, identity, support and develop
talented young people.
To work closely with our partner organisation, The Making Rooms, to
feedback about the delivery of the programme, and engage with the
other Making Zone leads from other Youth Zones.
To keep The Making Zone in a clean, tidy and safe state.
Carry out any other reasonable duties as requested by management.
To work with youth work managers to plan and deliver specific funded
projects such as science week and other relative projects.
To support, deliver and evaluate funded projects, according to the
objectives and provide reporting on specific projects.
A willingness to work unsocial hours during evenings and weekends is
required.
The ability and willingness to travel to meetings and events both in the
region and beyond.
To adhere to B&DYZ policies at all times, with reference to Health and
Safety, Safeguarding and Equal Opportunities.

Safeguarding and compliance.

Ensure the charity has a robust approach to risk management,
including person centred risk assessment and risk management
processes
To understand and adhere to BYZ policies and procedures and ensure
all staff and volunteers are responsible for doing likewise.
To promote social integration and inclusion, and proactively challenge
any prejudice and discrimination.
To keep updated with any new legislation, policies and procedures
related to primary years

Registered Charity Number  1135949

PERSON SPECIFICATION
experience

Experience of delivering creative and technical activities across all
genres such as traditional, digital and sustainability in line with
relevant guidance and good practice, including (Essential) :

-3D modelling & printing.
-Programming & electronics.
-Moulding & casting.
-2D vector design & vinyl cutting.

Proven experience of engaging vulnerable, disengaged or hard to
reach young people. (Essential)
Experience of working with young people. (Essential)
Experience working in partnership with external agencies to create
opportunities for young people and improve our reputation with arts.
(Essential)
Experience managing and leading projects and accreditations such as
ASDAN (Desirable)

Education/Training/Qualification

Current First Aid Qualification. (Desirable)
Working towards or achieved qualification in Engineering or Computer
Science. (Desirable)

Skills & Abilities

Excellent communication skills to deliver activity programmes to a
wide range of young people. (Essential)
Ability to motivate and engage staff, volunteers and young people in
physical and computer based activities. (Essential)
Strong commitment to young people and ability to engage and build
positive relationships with disengaged young people. (Essential)
Ability to plan and deliver events, such hack-a-thons. (Essential)
Ability to understand and meet children’s needs including children
with additional needs. (Essential)

Registered Charity Number  1135949

Knowledge

Awareness and knowledge of what constitutes good quality arts offer
for children and young people (Essential)
Knowledge and experience of digital creativity and how to teach
these skills to children and young people. (Essential)
Ability to understand and meet children’s needs including children
with additional needs. (Essential)
Sound knowledge of technical qualifications and the quality
standards expected for the successful delivery of accredited
technical activities. (Essential)

Personal Qualities

Ability to establish good professional relationships with young people
and adults (Essential)
Patience, tolerance and flexibility (Essential)
Creativity and enthusiasm (Essential)
Hands on / Can do attitude (Essential)
Flexible approach to working (Essential)

other

Enhanced DBS  (Essential)
Clean driving licence  (Desirable)

Selection criteria for guidance only, alternative methods may
be used to assist the selection process

Values based Practice:
All staff are expected to demonstrate behavioural competencies that
reflect our organisational values in their day-to-day work, and in how they
build positive, respectful relationships with young people, colleagues, and
external stakeholders.
Safeguarding:
Understanding of safeguarding procedures and best practices when
working with young people (Essential). Staff are expected to demonstrate
behavioural competencies aligned with our values, acting with integrity,
professionalism, and respect, and contributing to a positive, responsible,
and safeguarding-focused culture.

Registered Charity Number  1135949

Benefits

FREE GYM ACCESS

33 DAYS HOLIDAY
(INCLUSIVE OF BANK HOLS)

WELLBEING SUPPORT

WORKING HOURS
The hours of work are those necessary to fulfil the
requirements of the position. This will involve
working unsocial hours in evenings and at
weekends during Youth Zone sessions or at
events, and also working during the day.

HOW TO APPLY
Blackburn & Darwen Youth Zone is committed to
the safeguarding of young people. In accordance
with our Child Protection and Safeguarding
procedures, this position requires an enhanced
DBS check.

The strength of OnSide Youth Zones comes from
the diversity of the people within our vibrant
network. We are proud that our Youth Zone team
reflects the communities we serve, and we value
people working together from a range of different
backgrounds locally and nationally, and with
different experiences, all with a shared passion for
boosting the aspirations of young people across
the country. Diversity brings innovation, fresh
ideas and creativity, and we actively strive to
create a culture that is truly inclusive and fair for
all and where everyone in the team can be
themselves and thrive. The Youth Zone welcomes
applicants from all sectors of the community.

FLEXIBLE WORKING

Please Apply via the link HERE

BIRTHDAY DAY OFF

Registered Charity Number  1135949

Our HEART values are at the
core of everything we do.

Honesty

Respect

Our Values

Excellence

Teamwork

Accountability

Registered Charity Number  1135949