Youth Development Worker

About The Role

Are you passionate about helping young people build confidence, develop new skills and move towards a more independent future?

As a Youth Development Worker within Supported Housing, you will provide a responsive, person-led service for young people with a range of strengths, needs and aspirations. Through one-to-one support, group activities and practical coaching, you will help young people work towards their goals, develop essential life skills and prepare for independent living.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Building positive, trusting and professional relationships with young people.
• Managing a caseload and maintaining clear, up-to-date support plans, risk assessments and case records.
• Providing one-to-one coaching, advocacy and practical support tailored to each young person.
• Supporting young people to develop their confidence, employability, budgeting and independent living skills.
• Planning and delivering activities that encourage learning, participation and personal development.
• Helping young people access education, training, employment and specialist support.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues, external organisations and partner agencies.
• Safeguarding young people and contributing to a safe, inclusive and supportive service.

Why should I join LiveWest?

This is an opportunity to do meaningful work and make a lasting difference to young people’s lives. You will join a supportive team where you can use your experience, build your skills and help young people recognise their strengths and achieve positive outcomes.

This is a scheme-based role working across our Cornwall West services:

• Davy House, Penzance
• Coach House, Penzance
• Redruth Foyer, Redruth
• Carn Brea Foyer, Redruth

Most opportunities are full time, working 37 hours per week. We also welcome applications from people seeking part-time hours and can consider flexible arrangements for candidates with the right skills and experience.

You will work on a rota, normally covering Monday to Friday within a bandwidth of 8:00am to 9:00pm, together with approximately one weekend in every four or five. Exact working arrangements may vary according to the needs of the service and the scheme where you are based.

We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable groups. Appointment to this role is subject to a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.

About The Candidate

To be successful in your application for the role of Youth Development Worker, you will have the essential skills and experience for a Level 1 role (please see candidate information pack) and the following role specific skills and experience:

Essential skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications

• Experience of working effectively with young people with varied strengths, needs and aspirations.
• An understanding of the challenges that can affect young people, including homelessness, mental health, substance misuse, self-harm and offending behaviour.
• Experience of maintaining accurate records and putting effective support or action plans in place.
• An understanding of needs assessments, risk assessments and safeguarding.
• The resilience and flexibility to respond to changing needs and challenging situations.
• The ability to work safely on your own and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Confidence when communicating with a wide range of people and assessing difficult situations.
• Knowledge of education, training and employment opportunities.
• An understanding of welfare and housing benefits.
• A Level 3 qualification, or equivalent, in a relevant subject such as youth work, health and social care, coaching, mental health or housing, or the ability to work towards one.
• A good standard of literacy and numeracy.

Desirable skills, experience, knowledge and qualifications

• An understanding of coaching approaches.
• Knowledge of housing-related support and housing management services.
• Knowledge of the Ofsted Supported Accommodation Regulations 2023.
• Knowledge of relevant children’s legislation and guidance.
• Knowledge of relevant st