Male Youth Support Worker

About FST

FST is a charity and alternative education provider. We have been delivering practical and emotional support, as well as education for vulnerable young people for nearly 20 years. Working closely with schools, PRU’s, local authorities and other youth professionals day to day. We care for, empower, and give hope to our young people to realise their own potential. Aiming to empower our young people to return to full time education, in addition to developing the soft skills needed to make positive and healthy choices in their lives.  

We are committed to making a lasting impact in Wandsworth and neighbouring boroughs. We have built a reputation for quality provision that has a family and community feel that allows our young people to engage and learn in a safe and nurturing environment.

Our longstanding service to the youth of Wandsworth has allowed us to create amazing relationships with other youth organisations in the area. This has led to the formation of Youth Battersea, a partnership of 5 Battersea based youth organisations who work collaboratively on joint projects and share ideas, resources and skills.

Almost uniquely in our sector, we have an open-door policy to make sure that our young people feel supported long after they have finished their programme with us. 

We run projects which encompass personal, social development and life skills. Our flagship mentoring scheme includes one-to-one and small group sessions. The focus is on the outcome, but also on the journey. In addition we collaborate with Caius House to deliver their after-school programme. 

To be part of our success and our FST team, you must have a passion for working directly with young people, delivering a lasting, positive impact to their lives. 

Main aim of the role: 

Playing a vital role within our expanding youth support team at Future Skills, you will work to support and empower our young people to re-engage and return to education and employment. You will be creating structured lesson plans to deliver high quality soft skills sessions. You will be proactive and get involved with the pupil’s daily activities, promoting teamwork and setting a good example. You will also build positive relationships with the young people, fellow professionals, parents and carers as this is key to this role.  

In addition to that, you will work with the team here at Caius House to help deliver an after-school programme for young people, usually one evening per week. To this effect, you will work with both the FST team and the team on-site at Caius House. 

You will be joining a vibrant team that is committed to our young people's social and educational development. We give our team all the opportunities to be creative with the work that we do. We are an expanding organisation that is moving towards further growth in the alternative provision sector.  

FST is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. 

The post holder will be responsible for: 

• Working with colleagues to develop a soft skills curriculum for our group and one to one sessions.
• Actively participating in the sessions we deliver including off-site trips and sporting activities.
• Undertaking one-to-one and small group mentoring with vulnerable and at-risk young people aged 8-16 years old.
• Working with the FST team delivering personal and social development workshops with excluded young people, encouraging them to engage and develop and challenging negative behaviours.
• Building relationships and regularly communicating with parents/carers and professionals.
• Building positive relationships with children and young people with social, emotional and mental health needs, inspiring and motivating them, acting as a positive role model at all times.
• Bringing passion, ideas, creativity, energy and strategies to all projects.
• Demonstrating understanding of the issues faced by children and young people.
• Keeping accurate records of attendance and session evaluations using our online database system.
• Having an active role in our regular team meetings.
• Complying with the organisational requirements for health and safety, child protection, safeguarding and other policies and procedures.

The post holder should possess:

• Previous experience of working with vulnerable, at risk and disengaged children and young people 
• A passion for building relationships with children and young people and helping them grow and develop.
• Experience of building partnerships with other organisations and communicating with professionals as well as parents and carers
• Knowledge of formal and informal education systems.
• Ability to be flexible and adaptable, reliable and innovative.
• Ability to work under pressure, be self-motivated and driven to succeed
• Well-developed people skills and excellent organisational skills. 
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Good working knowledge of main office applications (word and excel)
• An up to date DBS.
• 
  

Regular professional development and training opportunities are provided as part of the FST Performance Management System.  

During the selection process the person specification will be tested through the questions that are asked at the interview stage.

If you are interested, please apply by May 31st 2024 and start your career with us. 

Future Skills Training is an equal opportunities employer 

To apply please contact:

saida@future-skills.co.uk or pth@future-skills.co.uk

For more information on Future Skills visit www.future-skills.co.uk

Days Mondays – Fridays

Hours 37.5 hours per week

Duration Permanent full time

Location Battersea SW London

Salary £25,175 - £29,644  depending on experience.

Holiday 20 days per annum with the addition of time off over the Christmas period when FST closes for two weeks.