Swan Youth Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. References will be requested from most recent employer plus one other.
Please note the successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced / Standard DBS check prior to starting employment.
We currently have 1 vacancy:
Position: Youth and Family Worker
Organisation Name: Swan Youth Project
Responsible to: Assistant Project Manager
Salary: TBA
Hours per week: 18 (fixed term contact 1 year)
Location of Work: Swan Youth Project, Paradise Road, Downham Market. Please note that this role may require the post holder to work at locations throughout Downham Market and West Norfolk
Closing date: Monday 20th July 2026
Interview date: TBA
The Organisation:
Swan Youth Project has been created to offer educational, social and emotional support to young people between the ages of 8 – 24 years of age, including supporting emerging and low-level health needs.
This is achieved by engaging through the provision of Open Access Youth Groups and targeted activity which will enable young people to overcome disadvantages to be inspired and to have the confidence to participate in society.
As a youth project, we work to create appropriate settings that facilitate the growth and development of the children and young people from our area.
We will work in partnership with children and young people as they seek to meet their personal, social, emotional, cultural, spiritual, political and physical needs.
Swan Youth Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people, and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. References will be requested from most recent employer plus one other.
Role Purpose
We are looking for a competent, caring and experienced worker to support our young people and families who attend our project through Open Access sessions, targeted groups and 1:1 support.
You will be supporting families going through challenging times, with strategies and a clear plan of support. You will also work in our busy flag ship Open Access sessions, where young people can drop in and access positive activities, safe social time and on the spot support/advice. Our growing Young Carers sessions will also be supported by this role.
You will need to have experience of working with young people aged 8 – 18 in groups and delivering either Family Support or 1:1 support.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- To support young people with mild/emerging mental health on a 1:1 basis – working through Retracking or similar resource and using Outcome Star to track progress
- Support Open Access sessions
- To support young carers in the project
- To provide phone/remote support where appropriate
- To ensure that evaluation of the work occurs in consultation with participants, staff and management at all levels
- To work co-operatively with the team and under the direction of the line manager
- To undertake administrative work associated within the sessions under the direction of the worker in Charge of the session
- To liaise with the schools and other agencies that young people attend
- To be an advocate and champion for all young people at the project
- To report any safeguarding concerns immediately to one of the project DSL’s
What you’ll need to succeed:
- Demonstrable experience in youth work/school settings with a range of groups of young people aged 8 to 18 years
- Experience of delivering targeted Family Support and/or 1:1 support
- Excellent communication skills
- Experience of planning, monitoring and evaluation of work
- Experience of utilizing a variety of methods to delivering work with young people
- Understanding of the issues and commitments specific to young carers and how they impact
- Prepared to work flexible hours, which will include evening and weekend work (and occasionally residential)
- Demonstrable knowledge and understanding of the issues which impact on the lives of young people
- A nationally recognized Qualification in Youth Work or equivalent
- Demonstrable knowledge of current youth work principles, practices and priorities
What you’ll get in return:
- Regular line management and support
- Access to training opportunities
- A supportive and forward thinking team around you
What to do next:
Please note the successful candidate will be required to undertake an Enhanced / Standard DBS check prior to starting employment. 2 references will be required from your most recent employers
For more information on this role, please contact Anna Foster 01366 386259 anna@swanyouthproject.org or follow the QR code and fill the application form
Volunteer Roles
All volunteers apply in the same way as paid workers, via the application form and all will be interviewed and DBS checked. For more information contact anna@swanyouthproject.org or scan the QR code for the latest application form Volunteers are important to our small charity and support us in many different ways:
- Becoming a trustee
- Fund raising
- Maintenance
- Gardening
