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.

The ideal candidate will have experience and strong skills in developing and overseeing community based organisations. The post holder will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Youth Centre ensuring it is fit for purpose, used to its full capacity and delivers a high-standard of youth work programmes which align with the charity’s delivery model.

The successful candidate will manage a team of staff and ensure their workforce is developed effectively. They will be a member of the charity’s management team and will need to work collaboratively with colleagues towards our strategic goals and prepare and present updates regularly to relevant management channels, ensuring that our strategic goals are being achieved.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Applicants will need to complete a specific form for this role.