Youth Support Worker (Brighton) – Impact Initiatives, Brighton

JOB DESCRIPTION

TITLE OF JOB

Youth Support Worker

REFERENCE

YSA/Nov26

SERVICE/PROJECT

Children & Young People’s Service – Youth Work
Programme

HOURS PER WEEK

15 hours

CONTRACT

Fixed term until 31 March 2027, with hours to be
reviewed at that point

SALARY

Band 2, Point 12 – £27,325 FTE (£11,077 actual salary
for 15 hours per week)

ACCOUNTABLE TO

Head of Children and Young People’s Services

LINE MANAGED BY

Youth Work Team Lead

WORKING PATTERN
The post currently requires regular availability across our three weekly youth groups:
• Monday, 1pm–6pm – Impact Monday (ages 11–14)
• Wednesday, 10am–3pm – Wellbeing Wednesday (ages 18–25)
• Thursday, 1pm–6pm – Impact Thursday (ages 15–17)
There can be some flexibility around these working times by agreement, while maintaining consistent staffing
for the groups. There may also be opportunities for additional paid hours to support other Children & Young
People’s activities, including school holiday programmes, nature-based activities and occasional weekend
work.
SAFEGUARDING & DBS
Impact Initiatives is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and
expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and
Barring Service (DBS) check.

Children & Young People’s Service is part of Impact Initiatives. • Registered charity no. 276669 • Company limited by guarantee no. 1402692

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Youth Support Worker is a key member of Impact’s youth work team, supporting the delivery of safe,
welcoming and inclusive youth provision for young people aged 11–25.
The postholder will work across Impact Monday (ages 11–14), Wellbeing Wednesday (ages 18–25) and Impact
Thursday (ages 15–17), helping young people to build confidence, relationships, wellbeing and a sense of
belonging through youth-led activities and trusted relationships with staff.
This is not a lead or management role. The Youth Support Worker will work under the supervision and direction
of the Youth Work Team Lead, while taking responsibility for planning, preparing and leading agreed activities
and pieces of youth work as part of the wider programme.
Our youth work is relational and young-person-led, with an emphasis on creating environments where young
people feel safe, respected, included and able to participate in ways that work for them.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS OF IMPACT INITIATIVES
Providing a voice, hope and change for Sussex people in need.
Impact Initiatives was founded in 1978 to respond to social issues facing Brighton & Hove communities. Our
founders were a diverse group of people who cared about their communities and came together to take action.
Impact has grown and evolved over the years, while continuing to support people who need it most.
Today our services support, champion and inspire children and young people, adults with disabilities and older
people. We believe everybody should have the opportunity to be the best they can be, and our vision is for
Sussex people of all ages to reach their potential and live healthy and fulfilling lives.
Impact’s Central Team provides expertise in finance, HR, IT and facilities, health and safety, and business
development, enabling our specialist teams to focus on high-quality service delivery and development.

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE’S SERVICE
Our Children & Young People’s services provide safe spaces, advice and support from skilled staff, where
children and young people can connect with others, have fun, develop new skills and build confidence and
self-esteem.
We deliver a range of services in Brighton & Hove and across Sussex. Our team is based at the centrally
located Young People’s Centre (YPC) in Brighton, a welcoming building providing specialist services and
support for young people.

YOUTH WORK PROGRAMME
Our youth work programme provides safe, welcoming and inclusive small-group spaces where young people
can connect with peers and trusted adults. Through youth-led activities including creative activities, games,
cooking, wellbeing activities and nature-based opportunities, young people can build confidence,
relationships and a sense of belonging.

Children & Young People’s Service is part of Impact Initiatives. • Registered charity no. 276669 • Company limited by guarantee no. 1402692

MAIN TASKS
• To support the planning and delivery of Impact’s regular youth groups, currently Impact Monday (ages 11–
14), Wellbeing Wednesday (ages 18–25) and Impact Thursday (ages 15–18).
• To plan, prepare and lead agreed youth work activities, working under the direction and supervision of the
Youth Work Team Lead.
• To build positive, appropriate and trusting relationships with young people and support their participation,
wellbeing, confidence and peer relationships.
• To provide support to young people through whole-group and small-group activities and individual
conversations within sessions.
• To help create welcoming, inclusive and accessible environments, adapting activities and approaches to
meet different needs.
• To contribute to youth-led planning, listening to young people’s ideas and feedback and supporting them to
shape the activities and opportunities available.
• To support the preparation and pack-down of sessions and ensure spaces, equipment and resources are
safe, clean and appropriate.
• To work within agreed health and safety arrangements and risk assessments, contribute to dynamic risk
assessment during activities and raise any concerns promptly with the Youth Work Team Lead.
• To understand safeguarding responsibilities, recognise and respond appropriately to concerns and follow
Impact’s safeguarding procedures.
• To complete session records, monitoring and evaluation information accurately and in a timely way.
• To contribute to team discussions, session planning and reflective practice, including pre- and postsession briefings.
• To work flexibly across the Youth Work Programme and, where agreed, support additional activities
including school holiday provision, nature-based activities, occasional weekend work and other CYP
programmes.
• To work within Impact Initiatives’ policies and procedures and maintain appropriate professional
boundaries and confidentiality.
• To participate in regular line-management supervision, team meetings, training and professional
development relevant to the role.

Children & Young People’s Service is part of Impact Initiatives. • Registered charity no. 276669 • Company limited by guarantee no. 1402692

PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential criteria and desirable experience
Area

Criterion

Qualifications

Level 2 qualification in Youth Work, or an equivalent relevant
qualification.

X

Knowledge /
Experience

Experience of working directly with children and/or young people.

X

Experience of planning and delivering engaging activities for young
people.

X

Ability to build positive, appropriate and trusting relationships with
young people.

X

Good communication and listening skills.

X

Ability to engage young people with different needs,
communication styles and levels of confidence.

X

Ability to support group activities and manage group dynamics
positively.

X

Understanding of safeguarding children and young people and the
ability to recognise when concerns need to be shared or escalated.

X

Understanding of the importance of professional boundaries and
confidentiality.

X

Values and
Approach

Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and young people’s
participation.

X

Skills and Abilities

Ability to work independently on agreed tasks while recognising the
boundaries of the role and when to seek support.

X

Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team.

X

Availability

Able to work the core Monday, Wednesday and Thursday sessions,
with some flexibility as required.

X

Knowledge /
Experience

Experience of supporting young people with their emotional health
and wellbeing.

X

Experience of working with neurodivergent young people and/or
young people with additional needs.

X

Experience of nature-based, creative or outdoor youth work.

X

Relevant training in trauma-informed practice, mental health or
emotional wellbeing.

X

First Aid and/or Food Hygiene qualification.

X

Level 3 Youth Work qualification or an interest in progressing
towards Level 3.

X

Skills and Abilities

Knowledge /
Experience

Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

Children & Young People’s Service is part of Impact Initiatives. • Registered charity no. 276669 • Company limited by guarantee no. 1402692