Job Description

At Esteem young people aged 14-26 can realise their strength to cope with life's challenges and thrive into their futures.

Our community is grounded in trust and respect, and built with young people for young people.

We run a transformational range of free to access sessions which wouldn't be available without us. Sessions include a range of group activities, 1:1 support including counselling and mentoring, and space to give back through volunteering, participation and paid opportunities.

Esteem works with 250 young adults annually across all of Sussex who face multiple social barriers to achieving their life goals.

Due to our success, we have an exciting opportunity for an additional youth worker to join our team. Esteem has experienced significant growth over the past five years. This role builds on our existing 'Esteem Team' Project, and our previous Mentoring and Vocational Youth Work Coordinator role.

In the role you will support young adults to develop their skills, confidence and networks, helping them to connect to the community and employment opportunities through:

1:1 sessions, identifying key support areas and offering encouragement and support to pursue skills development, work experience, and participation programs inside and outside of the organisation. Facilitate the "The Esteem team", a participatory group of young adults who meet twice weekly to help run the organisation. The Esteem team's activities are decided by young adults in the group. Regular activities include, making and contributing to important organisational decisions, taking on tasks to keep the building operating, and creating and delivering their own projects, such as the inter-generational sessions. Coordinating a schedule of workshops throughout the year aiming to support work and employability skills alongside hands-on work-based skills training and visits.
Young adults tell us that they are looking for someone in this role who will give them the time and space they need to thrive, understanding them as individuals.

This role is vital in providing wrap-around support, connecting young adults to other Esteem opportunities, such as mentoring, well-being, and social activities. Importantly the role will include building relationships with other organisations to connect young adults to relevant external opportunities, including work experience opportunities.

Your regular tasks and responsibilities will include

Provide 1:1 Vocational and Progression Support

Offer tailored 1:1 support to young adults to identify their goals and next steps in work, training, and skills development. Signpost and refer young adults to Esteem's mentoring, wellbeing, and counselling services where appropriate. Connect young adults to external and internal opportunities, such as volunteering, work placements, and vocational training.

Design and Deliver Skills Workshops

Plan, coordinate, and facilitate a rolling programme of workshops focused on employability, practical skills, and personal development. Recruit participants through outreach to the local community and existing Esteem networks. Work with young adults to co-design and co-deliver workshops, supporting peer leadership and lived-experience sharing. Liaise with external facilitators and partner organisations to enhance the workshop offer.

Lead Group Participation Activities

Facilitate twice-weekly sessions with "The Esteem Team" - a youth-led participation group shaping and delivering projects within the organisation and local community. Support young adults to take initiative in running projects, making organisational decisions, and contributing to the day-to-day running of Esteem. Use group work as a means to foster confidence, connection, and access to wider community opportunities.

Build Partnerships and Expand Opportunities

Develop relationships with local businesses, organisations, and training providers to increase meaningful vocational opportunities for young adults. Champion Esteem's work and create routes into supported work experience, internships, and community engagement.

Monitor Impact and Manage Resources

Maintain accurate records, including attendance, feedback, impact measures, and risk assessments. Track and manage budgets related to workshops and group activities. Regularly review and adapt activities to ensure they are relevant, inclusive, and accessible to all young adults.

Safeguarding and Integrated Support

Uphold Esteem's safeguarding procedures and report concerns promptly to the Designated Safeguarding Lead. Promote Esteem's full offer of support internally and externally, helping young adults navigate and engage with the range of available services.

Person Specification

Esteem seeks an individual with experience in the voluntary youth or community sector, with direct experience working with children & young people in a strengths-based and participatory way. You must be able to demonstrate solid abilities for collaborative working, problem solving and planning, initiative, and the ability to connect with others.

Esteem strives for excellence in our practices to safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults and promote the overall safety, safeguarding and welfare of all our members.

Based at Esteem's offices in Shoreham, West Sussex, you will work alongside Esteem's youth and management team.

Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory vetting and barring checks.

Experience and knowledge

At least 4 years experience working directly with young adults with demonstrable experience of youth work skills or working in a youth development environment. An NVQ level 3 youth work qualification or above or equivalent qualification. Demonstrable experience in supporting young adults with vocational and work skills Demonstrable experience working with young adults within a participatory and strengths-based approach A strong understanding of accessibility and the needs of young adults from various contexts and backgrounds. Some knowledge of the current job market and training opportunities relating to young job seekers and an understanding of some of the barriers young adults face to enter or maintain employment or education. Desirable - understanding and experience of connecting charity members to cooperate opportunities and vice versa.

Skills and Abilities

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the use of text messages and digital communication - particularly in relation to working with socially excluded young people The ability to be supportive and empathetic and work in a trauma-informed way both one-to-one and in a group setting. Ability to work autonomously as well as part of a team Ability to facilitate age-appropriate and interactive group activities with young adults and with a youth-led approach An awareness of working to safeguard children and vulnerable adults, including relevant training Ability to use IT and online systems to record outcomes and monitor performance

Personal Attributes

Helpful, cooperative and sensitive to the needs and feelings of others, including a commitment to the organisation being youth-informed and youth-led. Demonstrate and promote Esteem's core values (Trust, Support, Respect) Reliability, honesty, and a commitment to maintaining confidentiality Have a good sense of humour and positive attitude, able to sensitively challenge others' negative self-talk and encourage them to try new things. Approachability and flexibility in responding to emergencies and unforeseen events and being able to use one's own initiative in these circumstances. Friendly and inquisitive, interested in understanding others' perspectives and experiences.

Pay details -

22.5 hours per week pro rata pay is 17,100 (Full time equivalent 28,500 per annum)

To apply

- Send an email with your CV to requesting an application form, ensuring you include the role title in your email.

We will only shortlist applicants that have applied directly to our HR Department providing a completed application form.

If you would like an informal discussion about the role or have any questions, please email

Please let us know if you would prefer to submit your application in another way, such as a video presentation.

Sadly, without a completed application form we will not be able to consider your application.

What we offer

Staff Well-being:

Esteem runs quarterly Well-being weeks throughout the year where we pause, reflect on what's working and what's not, and create space for connection and team building with staff and young adults

Excellent Development and Growth Opportunities:

Esteem's employees are encouraged to consider opportunities to develop new skills or progress, including applying for new roles in the organisation, participating in external training courses, and getting involved in different projects happening within the organisation.

A Diverse and Inclusive Workplace:

Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to Esteem's values and how we work. We are proud of our commitment to diversity and inclusion and support young people and staff from different backgrounds so they can be their best selves. Our networks include All Sorts (LGBTQIA+), Adur Refugees and Possibility People.

Flexible Working and Other Benefits:

We are committed to maintaining your work/life balance. We offer 35 days (FTE) of annual leave inclusive of bank holidays. This entitlement will be pro-rata for this role. We operate flexi-working. Esteem office hours are 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday, though we take a flexible approach to work and working patterns; we also ask the same of our staff, requiring the ability to work effectively and respond appropriately in challenging circumstances. Esteem has a close-down period over Christmas and New Year.
On appointment, you will become a member of Health Shield, a cash-back health plan giving you money back on everyday healthcare costs, such as dental, optical and physiotherapy. This is from day one of you joining Esteem. You will also have access to our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Breeze, a 24/7 support line via phone or web portal giving you access to GPs, counsellors, physios, mental health support and money-saving perks. You will also receive staff discounts to local businesses as part of our well-being offer.

Esteem is committed to supporting you in your role, including regular supervision, reflective practice groups, clinical supervision, quarterly staff wellbeing week, regular pay reviews, employee support plan, staff socials and regular training.

You will be asked to complete a declaration and references form if offered an interview. Successful applicants must complete a safer recruitment form (at the interview stage) and undertake an Enhanced Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Esteem welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We value diversity and promote inclusion through our activities, as well as in our policies and working practices. Our culture and values reinforce this. We seek to create an inspiring and inclusive workplace where all feel valued and able to contribute to the organisation.

If you have the skills, knowledge and drive that we are looking for, and are passionate about making a real difference in young adults' lives, we would love to hear from you.

Job Types: Part-time, Permanent

Pay: 17,100.00 per year

Expected hours: 22.5 per week

Benefits:

Casual dress Discounted or free food Employee discount Health & wellbeing programme Sick pay Store discount Work from home
Schedule:

Day shift No weekends
Application question(s):

Do you hold a professional youth work qualification or similar related equivalent? Do you have a strong understanding of accessibility and inclusion?
Experience:

working directly with young people: 4 years (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Shoreham-By-Sea

Application deadline: 09/06/2025
Reference ID: Participation and Vocational Youth Worker
Expected start date: 01/07/2025