* Location: Chester, training period located in Wrexham
* Start Date: Monday 2nd June 2025, flexible for current teachers under contract
* Contract: Permanent, full-time 37.5 hours per week
* Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata per year plus Bank Holidays
* Reporting to: Community Maker
Other benefits:
* Pension – with combined contributions up to 8%
* Free eye test
* Branded workwear
* Professional development and welfare support through WeMatter
* Flexible and hybrid working considered, including term-time only
We are looking for our next Youth Programme Lead: a role model who is there to make sure that over the course of their WeMindTheGap programme, our young people in schools can continue to thrive in an education setting, and beyond! Could you be who we’re looking for?
Do you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of young people? Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can use your skills and experience to help others reach their full potential? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! WeMindTheGap is seeking a passionate and dedicated Youth Programme Lead to join our team. Someone who can be the ultimate role model for our Gappies, sharing life skills and experience in a way which encourages them to choose positive behaviours. In this role, you will be responsible for the successful delivery of our youth development programmes, providing support and guidance in schools to 11-15 year olds.
Key Responsibilities as a Youth Programme Lead:
* Lead school engagement by liaising with teaching staff, organising and facilitating both online and offline meetings.
* Host multi-agency meetings to encourage a collaboration of support between school, parents, guardians and young people.
* Attend external events and activities on behalf of WeMindTheGap, including recruitment and information events, fairs, and networking meetings within your community.
* Work alongside the Community Maker to develop the programme to ensure it delivers effective support to Gappies.
* Manage key programme events, coordinating effectively and timely with external contacts.
* Plan and deliver online and in-person sessions covering the programme themes. These may include but are not limited to emotional regulation, future aspirations, self-development, and confidence building.
* Coordinate with external contacts and support communication with teaching staff.
* Oversee Gappie onboarding processes so each young person is suitably prepared for their WeMindTheGap programme.
* Be responsible for resolving on-day issues as they arise, problem-solving with creative solutions and asking your Community Maker for support when needed.
* Provide and oversee Gappie welfare and support through 1-2-1 and group mentoring. Including supporting and signposting for parents when necessary.
* Be the day-to-day lead for upholding safety procedures, including risk assessments and safeguarding measures.
* Deliver the programme within an agreed budget, managing resources and being responsible for spending within your team.
Team Management:
* Confidently line manage one or more Youth Development Officers, acting as a leader and encouraging the team to work effectively together.
* Facilitate weekly team meetings and regular check-ins with your team.
* Be responsible for conducting ‘Thinking Spaces’ with your team members, using our Plan, Do, Review approach to our work and future aspirations for self-development.
* Support the onboarding and training of new staff and encourage the continued professional development of existing team members.
Community Engagement:
* Build and maintain important relationships with partners of WeMindTheGap within your community.
* Continuously engage with local schools and community groups, ensuring the services of WeMindTheGap are known far and wide.
Administrative:
* Ensure internal systems are kept up to date with Gappie information and organised in an efficient and compliant manner.
* Oversee sensitive data entry, ensuring that details are safe and secure in line with GDPR.
* Work alongside our Impact & Evaluation team in reviewing each programme, creating a robust evaluation in line with the overall strategy of WeMindTheGap.
Other:
* Transport Gappies in WeMindTheGap pool cars, driving in rural and city environments, including long distances and motorway driving.
* Create and share promotional materials, including regular social media posts across all WeMindTheGap channels.
* Attend occasional activities on behalf of other WeMindTheGap programmes.
Person Specification:
* Teaching, Youth Work, or HLTA qualification
* Experience of facilitating group work to students in schools
* Understanding of managing a team
* Understanding of safeguarding
* Experience of supporting young people with challenging behaviour
* Understanding, lived experience, or education of why young people disengage with school
* Knowledge of and ability to create age-appropriate resources for 11-15 year olds
* Experience of managing internal and external communications, including social media, public speaking, and networking
* Experience of using IT systems, specifically Microsoft
* Manual UK driving license (further support will be provided if obtained within the last 6 months)
* Experience of handling sensitive data under GDPR
* Experience of working to a budget
* Experience of writing case studies
* Experience of supporting external stakeholder relationships
* Knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
To apply please send us your CV along with a one-page covering letter (or 2-minute video) outlining your suitability for the role. If you have accessibility requirements and wish to submit your application in a different format, please let us know.
Your application will be considered based on how well you match the person specification, and successful employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and suitable references.
Upon shortlisting, you will be invited to a ‘Discovery Day’, a group recruitment event consisting of a formal interview with both situational and competency-based questions, a group activity, the delivery of a mock practical session, and a chance to meet our teams and Gappie alumni.
Our recruitment process reflects how we treat our Gappies and employees. We want to foster a culture of constructive feedback and continuous improvement so encourage you to let us know how we can improve the candidate experience. Likewise, should you require feedback on your unsuccessful application, please get in touch.
We reserve the right to close applications earlier than the date given. If you are keen to apply for this role, please don’t delay.
Please note: applications submitted without a covering letter/video or confirmation of a full UK manual driving license will not be considered.
Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:
WeMindTheGap accepts and welcomes the differences that makes up our community. We believe that diversity is a strength, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and respected. We actively oppose discrimination in all its forms and strive to ensure that everyone has the equal opportunity to succeed.
We recognise the importance of having a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. Our recruitment process and selection of staff will be strictly based on making it easier to build an inclusive workforce with a diverse culture. We actively recruit and retain employees from all backgrounds, regardless of sex, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or marital status.
WeMindTheGap is a registered Charity number 1161504
The WeMindTheGap WeInspire Programme in Cheshire is funded by The Westminster Foundation.
WeMindTheGap is part funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund in partnership with Flintshire County Council and Wrexham County Borough Council.
#J-18808-Ljbffr