Fleetwood Youth Development Manager

The Boathouse Youth currently works with children and young people aged 5 to 17, from socio-economically deprived communities across Blackpool, to help tackle the challenges they’re experiencing and is excited to be launching a new Youth Centre in Fleetwood.

We have four programme areas each facilitating a variety of physical, creative and educational activities including centre based youth work, offsite visits and residential experiences.

We also have a specialist programme for children with additional needs and disabilities. Our entire offer is fully funded and therefore free at the point of access.

Our team of highly skilled professionals interact with young people on a daily-basis to deliver well thought out programmes in an engaging way.

We aim to facilitate a safe space to improve mental well-being, promote positive behaviours, support educational growth and encourage a healthy lifestyle.

his helps young people become the best versions of themselves through increasing their aspirations and improving their relationships. Our ultimate aim is to break the cycle of deprivation and enable our young people to lead their best lives.

Youth participation is at our heart.

We are a learning organisation whose evolution is only possible when our vision for youth

participation is manifested through the progression of young people into key stakeholders.

Our commitment to relational longevity means that our partnership with young people, which exists throughout their whole childhood, creates a space in their lives where views can be expressed freely and received by audiences who not just have a responsibility to listen but are actively interested in doing so as a result of their own lived experiences.

Responsibilities 

Overarching

• Under the direction of the Head of CYP Services oversee the day-to-day running of the Youth Centre and The BHY in Fleetwood.
• Provide effective Line Management supervision to the Fleetwood workforce.
• Act as an ambassador for The Boathouse Youth throughout partnerships and networking.
• Comply and implement all policies and procedures particularly in areas of statutory compliance such as Health & Safety and Safeguarding.

Youth Spaces

• eek to create an environment where young people and youth workers can develop positive relationships.
• Ensure the building is compliant with organisational policies and statutory guidance to ensure a safe place for young people to spend time.
• Actively develop a timetable of enriching youth work activities which both align with The BHY’s delivery model but also encourage other community youth groups to utilise the space.
• Liaise with the Facilities Manager to ensure the maintenance standards within the building are kept high.

Youth Services

• Develop an understanding of The BHY’s delivery model and implement relevant elements (as agreed with Head of CYP Services).
• Lead, develop and oversee the planning and implementation of a relevant, participative and engaging youth work programme that is needs led and person centred.
• Ensure that an innovative, creative and fun programme is delivered to address to personal, social, physical and political development of young people as described in the charity’s strategy.
• Ensure regular review and evaluation of the programme to capture the outcomes and positive impact.
• Agree KPI’s with the Head of CYP Services and lead on increasing engagement of young people.
• Be alert to issues of safeguarding and child protection and report to the DSL where appropriate to ensure the welfare of all children and young people.
• Seek to be a consistence positive presence within the community.
• Demonstrate clear and hands-on leadership to ensure high standards of youth work, session delivery and behaviour management.
• Create and participate in residential opportunities for young people.

Workforce Deployment

• Commit to a culture of continuous improvement and demonstrate this in your own practice.
• Manage and mentor Team Leaders, Youth Workers, and Volunteers, ensuring their personal and professional development. This includes building a strong team and developing staff, whilst ensuring the team is well-bonded and directed with clear plans and expected outcomes.
• Support and supervise all those on a professional learning journey (i.e. apprentices, students) to enable their success.

Income Generation 

• Meet ‘Gifts-in-Kind’ KPI’s as set by the Strategic Leadership Team.
• Enable young people to deliver community fundraising opportunities to increase budgets.
• Seek local sponsorship opportunities.
• Work with the Strategic Leadership Team to support any major funding opportunities.

Personal Specification 

The post-holder will need to possess a range of skills that covers both technical and managerial requirements.

Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the essential experience, skills, abilities and attributes listed below throughout the recruitment process.

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

• A minimum of three-years experiencing delivering face-to-face youth and/or community work and a similar length of relevant management experience.
• A successful record of developing community organisations and supporting the implementation of strategic plans.
• Experience of working within the voluntary sector.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ATTRIBUTES

• A minimum education standard at degree level, ideally in a relevant area but not essential. A JNC professional youth work qualification would be highly desirable.
• A flexible approach to work with ability to adapt to a fast-paced, ever-changing environment. This role will require evening and weekend work.
• Organisation is key.
• Have extensive knowledge of management theory and practical applications in the workplace.
• Interpersonal skills for building and developing relationships.
• Written and verbal communication skills, required for communicating with a range of people, both internally and externally, as well as presentation skills.
• Team-working skills and a collaborative approach to work.
• Identify and manage risks.
• The ability to think strategically.
• Hold a UK Driving License.

PERSONAL QUALITIES

• Motivated to enable young people to lead their best lives.
• High and ambitious standards, with a relentless focus on seizing opportunities to achieve these.
• Displays excellent judgement and focus at all times.
• Has a strong commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
• Inspires trust, goodwill and action in others.
• Actively seeks to continuously learn and develop.
• Willingness to “buy into” the ethos of The Boathouse Youth as a charity, and work to share our journey and mission to those you meet, and in all our marketing and communications.
• Willing to travel and be flexible.

The normal hours of work are 40hr per week, or those necessary to fulfil the requirements of the position. Youth Centres are open when schools are closed, therefore there will be a requirement to work outside the normal 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. This will include working evenings and weekends, but it will be up to the individual to manage their own diary and work flexibly across the week.