Youth Programmes Officer

Youth Programmes Officer

Recruitment Pack

Full-time role: 3 days Street Reach engagement and delivery, and 2 days wider youth project support

About Element Society

Element Society is an independent, youth-led non-profit based in Sheffield. Since 2013, we have supported more than 10,000 young people to transform their lives and communities. Through our programmes, we support young people to build the skills, confidence and opportunities they need to achieve the unbelievable.

We are a registered charity in England and Wales, a registered non-profit company, a UK Learning Provider and registered with the Information Commissioner’s Office.

Our mission

We believe in the potential of young people to shape their futures and communities. Our work is built around three simple commitments:

• Include: create spaces where all young people feel valued and connected.
• Inspire: encourage ambition, leadership and personal growth.
• Improve: equip young people with skills for the future.

Our impact

• Over 10,000 young people supported through our programmes.
• 250,000+ volunteer hours dedicated to social action in Sheffield.
• 65% of participants are from Black, Asian, Minority Ethnic and Refugee backgrounds.

What we offer

Our work includes personal development, social action and volunteering, creative and cultural programmes, education and skills development, health and wellbeing support, youth voice and targeted engagement activity.

Who we work with

Element Society welcomes all young people. We also run focused activity for young people facing additional barriers, including SEND, poverty, care experience, displacement, mental health challenges, exclusion, isolation, or being outside education, employment or training.

Role summary

Working pattern

Working hours will vary so that the postholder is available when young people are available. The role will include some evening, weekend and school holiday work, including outreach, workshops, trips and project activity.

Role split

• 3 days per week supporting outreach, youth engagement and delivery within the Street Reach programme.
• 2 days per week supporting wider Element Society youth projects, including workshops, trips, engagement activity, youth voice work, project administration and delivery support as allocated.
• The postholder is expected to work directly with young people across all parts of the role. This is an active delivery role, not a desk-based support post.

Job purpose

The Youth Engagement and Projects Officer will support the delivery of Street Reach and wider Element Society youth projects by engaging young people, building trusted relationships, supporting outreach, helping young people into positive activity and contributing to safe, organised and high-quality delivery.

The role will have a primary focus on Street Reach for three days per week, working with young people in community settings and helping them access building-based opportunities at Element Society. The remaining two days will support wider youth projects, including workshops, trips, youth voice activity, project delivery and engagement work.

The role needs someone active, organised, confident with young people and able to work across different projects. The postholder must be able to follow plans, communicate clearly, record activity accurately, support safeguarding practice and help young people feel welcome, included and able to take part.

Key responsibilities

Street Reach youth engagement

• Support the delivery of Street Reach outreach, engagement and building-based activity.
• Build positive, trusted and professional relationships with young people.
• Engage young people in community settings and encourage them to take part in positive activity.
• Support young people to move from street-based or community contact into sessions, workshops, support and opportunities at Yorkshire House.
• Work closely with the Youth Projects Co-Ordinator, Project Assistant, sessional workers, volunteers and specialist providers.
• Help create a safe, welcoming and purposeful environment for young people.
• Identify barriers to participation and work with colleagues to support young people to stay engaged.

Wider project delivery

• Support delivery across smaller Element Society youth projects as allocated.
• Help plan and deliver workshops, group sessions, trips, outreach activity, youth voice activity and engagement events.
• Support young people across different programmes, adapting the approach to fit the project and group.
• Assist with session preparation, room set-up, registers, equipment, resources and follow-up.
• Work with colleagues to make sure activities are safe, organised and engaging.
• Contribute to project mobilisation, delivery planning and review where required.

Outreach and recruitment

• Conduct outreach and engagement activity to recruit young people into Street Reach and other programmes.
• Support targeted engagement with young people who may be less likely to access structured provision.
• Represent Element Society positively in community settings.
• Work with partners, schools, community groups and local services to identify young people who may benefit from the programme.
• Follow up enquiries, referrals and expressions of interest promptly.

Monitoring, records and impact

• Maintain accurate records of attendance, contacts, engagement, outcomes and follow-up actions.
• Use digital systems, spreadsheets, shared documents and project tools confidently.
• Capture young people’s views, feedback and achievements.
• Contribute to evidence of impact, including case study material, youth voice, progression examples and partner feedback.
• Complete registers, paperwork and administrative tasks promptly and accurately.
• Treat data protection, confidentiality and information security seriously.

Safeguarding and professional practice

• Work within Element Society’s safeguarding policies and procedures at all times.
• Put the welfare of children and young people before the success of any project, activity or organisational reputation.
• Identify and report safeguarding concerns promptly.
• Contribute to safe delivery environments for young people, staff and volunteers.
• Follow health and safety procedures, risk assessments and professional guidance.
• Complete required training, including safeguarding and first aid.

Teamwork and communication

• Work as part of a wider delivery team across Street Reach and other youth projects.
• Communicate clearly with colleagues, young people, families, volunteers and partners.
• Support volunteers, sessional workers and less experienced team members where appropriate.
• Share relevant information with colleagues so young people receive consistent support.
• Attend supervision, team meetings, training and project reviews.
• Raise risks, concerns or delivery issues promptly.

Person specification

Applicants should use the application form to show clear examples of how they meet the criteria below.

Personal qualities

• Active, practical and delivery-focused.
• Approachable and confident with young people.
• Reliable and organised.
• Calm under pressure.
• Good at listening and building trust.
• Able to motivate and encourage young people.
• Flexible and willing to adapt.
• Culturally sensitive and accepting of difference.
• Comfortable working in both community and building-based settings.
• Able to balance direct delivery with administration, records and follow-up.

Equal opportunities and data

Element Society welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds. We are committed to inclusive, fair and safer recruitment practice. Information provided through the application process will be used to assess suitability for the role and to support recruitment administration in line with UK data protection law.

Safeguarding

Element Society is committed to safeguarding children and young people to the highest standards. Safeguarding children and young people is everyone’s responsibility at the charity.

Due to the nature of this role, we can only accept applications from applicants aged 18 or over. Any offer of employment will be conditional on satisfactory references, completion of mandatory training and an enhanced DBS check funded by Element Society.

The health, safety, welfare and moral education of young people are the first priority. Children’s and young people’s welfare is paramount.

Application process

Application form, interview and references.

Please note that we do not accept CVs. Applicants should complete the Element Society application form and use the “reasons for applying” section to give clear examples against the role description and person specification.

Application form guidance

The application form asks applicants to provide personal details, right to work information, employment history, education and training, two suitable referees and a written statement explaining how they meet the role criteria.

• References should usually be from a current or recent line manager, supervisor, employer, college or university contact. References from relatives or personal friends are not accepted.
• Applicants should explain any gaps in employment since leaving secondary education.
• The “reasons for applying” section should give specific examples linked to the job description and person specification.
• Shortlisted candidates will be asked about interview availability and may be asked to provide evidence of right to work and relevant qualifications.
• This post involves work with children and young people, so safer recruitment checks, safeguarding declarations and an enhanced DBS check are part of the process.

Contact

For application queries, more information or an informal chat about the role, please contact:

Element Society

Yorkshire House, 66 Leopold Street, Sheffield, S1 2GZ

Email: jobs@elementsociety.co.uk

Telephone: 0114 2999 210