Youth Support Worker

Tradewind Recruitment is actively seeking passionate Youth Support Workers to provide crucial 1:1 support for students across Key Stage 3 (Years 7, 8, and 9) within alternative provisions in the Hull area.

Are you a dedicated and compassionate Youth Worker, passionate about making a tangible difference in the lives of young people? Do you excel at building rapport and providing tailored support to students facing social, emotional, or behavioural challenges? If you're ready to empower young people to thrive, we want to hear from you.

About the Role

As a 1:1 Youth Support Worker, you'll have the opportunity to make a significant impact on student's lives. You'll be responsible for providing bespoke, student-centred support to young people identified as needing additional guidance. Your role will involve fostering a safe, trusting, and supportive environment where students can explore their challenges, develop coping mechanisms, and build resilience. Your interventions will be tailored to address specific areas such as attendance, behaviour, emotional regulation, peer relationships, and academic engagement, ultimately empowering students to thrive within their educational environment and beyond.

Key Responsibilities

• Individualised Support: Design, implement, and deliver highly effective 1:1 mentoring and support sessions for students.

• Relationship Building: Establish and maintain strong, positive, and professional relationships with students, fostering trust, respect, and a sense of belonging.

• Needs Assessment & Intervention: Conduct informal assessments to understand students' individual needs and develop tailored intervention plans.

• Behaviour & Attendance Improvement: Work proactively with students to improve school attendance and promote positive engagement.

• Emotional Well-being: Support students in developing emotional literacy, self-regulation strategies, and resilience.

• Safeguarding: Uphold the highest standards of child protection and safeguarding, adhering strictly to school policies and national guidelines ("Keeping Children Safe in Education"). Promptly identify and report any safeguarding concerns.

• Collaboration & Communication: Liaise effectively with teaching staff, pastoral leaders, SENDCOs, parents/carers, and external agencies to ensure a holistic approach.

• Record Keeping: Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date records of all interventions and progress.

• Promoting Positive Ethos: Contribute actively to the school's inclusive culture and promote its values.

The Ideal Candidate Will Possess

Qualifications: A relevant qualification in Youth Work, Social Care, Education, Counselling, or a related field (e.g., Level 3 Diploma in Youth Work Practice, relevant Diploma/Degree in Health & Social Care, Psychology, or Education).

Experience:

• Significant proven experience (ideally 2+ years) working directly with young people aged 11-18 in a 1:1 capacity, preferably within a secondary school or similar educational/youth setting.

• Demonstrable experience in applying effective behaviour management strategies, de-escalation techniques, and restorative approaches.

• Experience of supporting young people with Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) needs and/or Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Skills & Attributes:

• Exceptional active listening and communication skills, with the ability to build rapport and trust quickly.

• Patience, empathy, and resilience when navigating challenging situations.

• A non-judgemental, supportive, and solution-focused approach.

• Strong organisational skills, including the ability to manage a caseload and maintain meticulous records.

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary team.

• A proactive, adaptable, and flexible approach to problem-solving.

Safeguarding:

• A comprehensive understanding of UK safeguarding legislation and "Keeping Children Safe in Education" guidance.

• An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (on the Update Service is highly desirable) or willingness to undergo one.

To apply for this highly rewarding position, please submit your CV along with a compelling covering letter (no more than two A4 pages) outlining your relevant experience, your approach to 1:1 youth work, and how you meet the person specification.

Email: matt.ball@twrecruitment.com Call: 01482 238 878