WELLBEING YOUTH WORKER (BYOU)

Job DescriptionWELLBEING YOUTH WORKER (BYOU)£12.35 per hour Fixed-term until July 2026Part time, 5 hours per weekRegistered Charity No: 1134451 (England & Wales) Wigan Youth Zone, Parsons Walk, Wigan, WN1 1RU | 01942 612 061OVERVIEWInspire and empower the next generation to reach their full potentialWigan Youth Zone Wigan Youth Zone £12.35 per hourCOMPANYLOCATIONSALARYBENEFITS33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) prorata. Plus additional leave for length of service. Birthdays off, Gym access, Training and CPD including first aid, safeguardingand health and safety,Career development opportunities,Employee assistance programme,Strong team culture, Workplace pension, Free eye tests, Discounted to £2 access to holiday club for staff.POSTED CLOSING FIRST INTERVIEWSSECOND INTERVIEWSSPECIALISMREPORTS TOCONTRACT TYPEWORK PATTERN6 February 2026th27 February 2026th                    TBC                        TBC      Youth Work/LGBTQIA+/wellbeingknowledge       BYOU Coordinator               Fixed-term until 25th July 2027                5 hours per weekThursday 16:00-21:00 (supporting our LGBTQIA+ group 17:00-20:00, general wellbeing support the rest)All hours will be face-to-face delivery with differentgroups of young people. CharityORGANISATION TYPEWHO WE ARE LOOKING FORInspire and empower the next generation to reach their full potentialWe are looking for an empathetic and approachable individual with strong listening skills and a solidunderstanding of the challenges young people face in today’s society. The ideal candidate will be confidentsupporting a range of young people aged between 11-19 (up to 25 with additional needs) both in one-to-oneand group settings, offering guidance to help them make informed decisions and navigate a range ofpersonal and social challenges. The role requires someone who can help create an inclusive, welcomingenvironment where all young people feel seen, safe, and supported. This role requires working with differentgroups of young people, including those of primary-school age (juniors), high-school and college age(seniors), looked-after children, and those involved in BYOU, our LGBTQIA+ group.KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDINGA strong awareness of the issues and challenges facing young people in today’s society, with the ability toplan and deliver activities that raise awareness and promote discussion around relevant topics.An empathetic and approachable manner, with the ability to listen actively and offer appropriateinformation, advice, and guidance to young people.Confidence and experience in working with a diverse range of young people, including those of differentages, genders, sexualities, needs, and abilities.Knowledge of emotional well-being and mental health, including how to support young people withdifficulties, promote positive coping strategies, and signpost to appropriate services when needed.An understanding of the principles of youth work, including how to manage and respond to challengingbehaviour in a supportive and constructive way.A sound understanding of safeguarding, equality, diversity, and health and safety, and how to apply thesepractices effectively when working with children and young people.Experience in delivering activities within an equality frameworkQUALIFICATIONSIntroduction to Youth Work and Community Work NVQ/VRQ Level 2 – DesirableWHAT YOU WILL NEED TO SUCCEEDInspire and empower the next generation to reach their full potentialSELECTION CRITERIAREQUIREMENTEXPERIENCEExperience working with children and young people (aged 8-19, up to 25 with additional needs) in a 1;1 basisand in group settingsEssentialExperience of working with young people with additional needs or disabilities DesirableExperience of supporting young people who may have social / emotional challengesDesirableExperience of working in a team and alongside volunteersDesirableExperience and understanding of safeguarding issues faced by young people and best practiceEssentialSKILLSAbility to work with young people and engage them in group work to help promote welfare,aspirations/achievements. EssentialAbility to develop good professional relationships with children, young people and vulnerable adults EssentialAbility to coach, encourage, motivate and provide consistent support to children, young people and vulnerableadultsEssentialConfident in working with young people on a 1;1 basis EssentialAbility to identify and challenge discrimination and discriminatory behaviourEssentialKNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDINGUnderstanding the principles of working with children and young peopleEssentialUnderstanding of issues affecting young people in today’s society EssentialAbility to deliver quality well-being programmes with children and young people who face a variety of personaland social challengesDesirableKnowledge of Health and Safety, diversity awareness and safeguarding best practice and how these relate tochildren and young peopleEssentialInspire and empower the next generation to reach their full potentialOTHER RESPONSIBILITIESTo be alert to issues of safeguarding child protection, ensuring the welfare and safety of Youth Zonemembers is promoted and safeguarded, and to report any child protection concerns to the designatedChild Protection Officers using the safeguarding policies, procedures and practice (training to beprovided);To assist with any promotional activities and visits that take place at the Youth Zone;To actively promote the Youth Zone and positively contribute towards increasing Youth Zonemembership;To adhere to Wigan Youth Zone policies at all times, with reference to Health and Safety, Child Protectionand Equal Opportunities.To carry out any other duty with the Youth Zone provision and facility operations, and within thecompetencies of the post holder, as directed by your line manager or a senior manager.YOUR ROLEWork as part of our Wellbeing Team, providing support to young people through predominantly one-to-one sessions and occasional group work.In one-to-one settings, you will offer a safe, non-judgemental space for young people to talk, whileproviding guidance on a range of wellbeing-related topics such as mental health, substance use, self-care,peer pressure, and positive coping strategies.Signpost to other relevant services when appropriate.Track progress using our Evaluation Wheel system.Plan and deliver engaging group wellbeing sessions centred around key themes and national awarenessevents (e.g. Children’s Mental Health Week, Stress Awareness Month).Proactively encourage participation from young people, especially those who may not typically engage ingroup activities.Promote both mental and physical wellbeing, helping young people make informed, healthy decisions.Act as a positive role model and create an inclusive, supportive, and fun environment where young peoplefeel safe and empowered to reach their full potential.Support the recording and evaluation of sessions, involving young people in the evaluation of activitiesSafeguard and promote the welfare of all children and young people at all times.Contribute to a positive team culture, working in line with Wigan Youth Zone’s values and principles.Support the delivery of BYOU, our LGBTQIA+ programme, between 5pm-8pm on Thursdays. Effectively support young people from the LGBTQIA+ community by helping to create an inclusive,welcoming environment where all young people feel seen, safe, and supported, particularly whensupporting the BYOU sessions.SPECIAL REQUIREMENTSA willingness to work unsociable hours when requiredDBS clearance and committed to Safeguarding childrenThe ability and willingness to travel to meetings and events both in the region and beyondIn accordance with our Child Protection and Safeguarding procedures, this position requires an enhancedDBS check and business satisfactory references.Please note that in line with our Safeguarding Policy, you must be age 21 or over to work in our SeniorSessions and 19+ to work on our Junior Sessions and Holiday Clubs. All applicants must also be inactive asmembers for at least 12 months.The job holder will be required to adhere to the Youth Zone’s policies at all times, with particular emphasis onEqual Opportunities and Safeguarding. Attendance at events and conferences will sometimes be required.Inspire and empower the next generation to reach their full potentialWHAT IS WIGAN YOUTH ZONE?Wigan Youth Zone is a purpose built, state-of-the-art youth facility in Wigan town centre which opened inJune 2013. It offers young people from across Wigan the opportunity to meet friends, have new experiences,learn new skills and access the support they need to develop and achieve their potential.The Youth Zone is open to all young people across Wigan aged from 8 to 19 (up to 25 with additional needs),striving to offer something for everyone, regardless of their interests or abilities. With almost 15 dedicatedareas to choose from including our four 40-metre floodlit football pitches, art room, music room andclimbing wall – there’s something for everyone here at Wigan Youth Zone.Our aim is simple, to provide the town’s young people with somewhere to go, something to do and someoneto talk to.WHAT DO YOU NEED TO DO NEXT?Please complete our application form here and return to HR@wiganyouthzone.org76% of our Team would recommendWigan Youth Zone as an employer totheir family and friends