Youth Worker in Huyton, Knowsley

Job Title: Detached Youth Worker 

Hours: 16 hours per week (Evening shifts starting from 4:00 PM) 

Location: Liverpool and Knowsley 

Job Overview 

We are seeking a dedicated, empathetic, and resilient Detached Youth Worker to join our community engagement team on a part-time basis (16 hours per week). Operating directly on the streets, in parks, and across local community hotspots in Liverpool and Knowsley, you will engage young people aged 11–19 (and up to 25 for young people with additional needs) on their own terms and in their own environments. 

Working late afternoons and evenings starting at 4:00 PM, you will build positive, trusting relationships with young people who may not actively access traditional youth club settings. You will address issues such as social isolation, anti-social behavior, mental health, substance use, and educational disengagement, empowering young people to make informed choices. 

Key Responsibilities 

Direct Youth Engagement & Support 

 On-the-Ground Outreach: Conduct regular detached youth work sessions across designated areas in Liverpool and Knowsley, meeting young people in public spaces. Relationship Building: Establish meaningful, non-judgmental, and professional relationships with young people from diverse backgrounds. 

 Targeted Interventions: Deliver informal educational support, signposting, and advice on key topics, including health and safety, drug and alcohol awareness, personal safety, and personal development. 

 Activity Facilitation: Plan and deliver responsive, youth-led street interventions, pop-up activities, and community projects. 

Safeguarding & Multi-Agency Collaboration 

Safeguarding: Act as a key contact for safeguarding concerns, adhering strictly to organizational child protection policies and reporting procedures. 

Partnership Working: Collaborate with local authorities, Liverpool and Knowsley youth services, Merseyside Police, local schools, and community organizations to ensure a joined-up approach to youth safety and wellbeing. 

Crisis Signposting: Identify vulnerable individuals or groups at risk of exploitation, county lines, or crime, connecting them with specialist support services.

Administration & Professional Development 

Session Reporting: Complete clear, accurate session logs, incident reports, and monitoring data following each shift to track engagement and outcomes. 

Team Meetings & Supervision: Attend regular team debriefs, training sessions, and supervision meetings (flexible scheduling around the 4:00 PM start time). 

Continuous Improvement: Participate in relevant professional development, particularly around local safeguarding frameworks in the Liverpool City Region. 

Candidate Specification 

Essential 

 Experience: Minimum 1 year of experience working directly with young people in a youth work, social care, community development, or educational setting (detached or outreach experience highly desirable). 

 Communication: Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to engage, listen to, and build trust with hard-to-reach or challenging young people. 

 Knowledge: Strong understanding of the current issues affecting young people across Liverpool and Knowsley (e.g., criminal exploitation, poverty, mental health, lack of provision). 

 Safeguarding: Up-to-date knowledge of safeguarding guidelines and child protection procedures. 

 Flexibility: Willingness and availability to work consistent evening shifts starting at 4:00 PM, including weekends if required by rotation. 

Desirable 

 Qualification: Level 2 or Level 3 Qualification in Youth and Community Work (or working towards one). 

 Local Knowledge: In-depth familiarity with the geography, neighborhoods, and community support systems in Liverpool and Knowsley. 

 Mobility: Full UK Driving Licence and access to a vehicle for travel between session locations across both boroughs. 

Working Conditions & Requirements 

 DBS Check: This role is subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. 

 Environment: The role involves working outdoors in various weather conditions during late afternoon and evening hours. 

 Safety: Lone working protocols and dynamic risk assessment procedures are strictly maintained for all team members.