Youth Development Officer 

• Location: Chester, training period located in Wrexham 
• Salary: £25,500-£28,000 pro rata 
• Start Date: Monday 2nd June 2025 
• Contract: Permanent, 30 hours per week  
• Annual Leave: 25 days pro rata per year plus Bank Holidays  
• Reporting to: Youth Programme Lead 

Other benefits:  

• Pension – with combined contributions up to 8%  
• Free eye test  
• Branded workwear  
• Professional development and welfare support through WeMatter 
• Flexible and hybrid working considered , including term time only 

WMTG Recruitment Pack Template A4 JAN 2025 – Youth Development Officer (Chester – WeInspire)

We are looking for our next Youth Development Officer: a role model who is there to make sure that over the course of their WeMindTheGap programme, our young people in schools can continue to thrive in an education setting, and beyond! Could you be who we’re looking for? 

Do you have a passion for making a difference in the lives of young people? Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can use your skills and experience to help others reach their full potential? If so, we have the perfect opportunity for you! WeMindTheGap is seeking a passionate and dedicated Youth Development Officer to join our team. Someone who can be the ultimate role model for our Gappies, sharing life skills and experience in a way which encourages them to choose positive behaviours. In this role, you will be responsible for supporting the successful delivery of our youth development programmes, providing support and guidance in schools to 11-15 year olds. 

Key Responsibilities as a Youth Development Officer:  

Programme Support 

• Support school engagement, liaising with teaching staff and joining both online and offline meetings.  

• Attend multi-agency meetings to encourage a collaboration of support between school, parents, guardians, and young people.  

• Attend external events and activities on behalf of WeMindTheGap, including recruitment and information events, and networking meetings within your community. 

• Support key programme events, acting as that ultimate role model for Gappies. 

Programme Delivery 

• Plan, support, and deliver online and in-person sessions covering the programme themes. These may include but are not limited to emotional regulation, future aspirations, self-development, and confidence building.  

• Coordinate with external contacts and support in communication with teaching staff. 

• Support Gappie onboarding processes so each young person is suitably prepared for their WeMindTheGap programme.  

• Support the resolution on-day issues as they arise, problem-solving alongside your Youth Programme Lead with creative solutions.  

• Provide Gappie welfare and support through 1-2-1 and group mentoring. including supporting and signposting for parents when necessary. 

• Be aware of safety procedures, following risk assessments and safeguarding measures. This includes escalating to the Youth Programme Lead as needed.  

• Support the Youth Programme Lead in delivering the programme within an agreed budget. 

• Be responsible for photo taking at key points throughout the programme for use on WeMindTheGap social media channels and resources. 

Team Working 

• Work collaboratively alongside fellow Youth Development Officers and Youth Programme Leads both inside your team and across other teams within WeMindTheGap.  

• Attend weekly team meetings and regular check-ins with your Youth Programme Lead.  

• Attend ‘Thinking Spaces’ with your Youth Programme Lead, using our Plan, Do, Review approach to our work and future aspirations for self-development.  

• Complete all essential onboarding and training as a new staff member and be a self-starter in your continued professional development. 

Community Engagement 

• Support and maintain important relationships with partners of WeMindTheGap within your community.  

• Support the continuous engagement with local schools and community groups, ensuring the services and work of WeMindTheGap are known far and wide. 

Administrative 

• Ensure internal systems are kept up to date with Gappie information and organised in an efficient and compliant manner.  

• Ensure details are safe and secure in line with GDPR.  

• Work alongside our Impact & Evaluation team in reviewing each programme, creating a robust evaluation in line with the overall strategy of WeMindTheGap. 

Other 

• Transport Gappies in WeMindTheGap pool cars, driving in rural and city environments, including long distances and motorway driving.  

• Create and share regular social media posts across all WeMindTheGap channels.  

• Attend occasional activities on behalf of other WeMindTheGap programmes. 

Person Specification  

Essential: 

• Experience of supporting activities for young people in schools 

• Experience of working as part of a team 

• Experience of supporting internal and external communications, including social media, public speaking, and networking 

• Experience of using IT systems, specifically Microsoft 

• Manual UK driving license (further support will be provided if obtained within the last 6 months) 

• Experience of supporting young people with challenging behaviour 

Desirable: 

• Teaching, Youth Work, or HLTA qualification 

• Understanding of safeguarding 

• Understanding, lived experience, or education of why young people disengage with school 

• Knowledge of age-appropriate resources for 11-15 year olds 

• Experience of handling sensitive data under GDPR 

• Experience of working to a budget 

• Experience of writing case studies 

• Experience of supporting external stakeholder relationships 

• Knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) 

How to apply: 

Applications should be sent to Rebecca Walton at rebecca@wemindthegap.org.uk by 5pm Thursday 20^th March 2025

To apply please send us your CV along with a one-page covering letter (or 2-minute video) outlining your suitability for the role. If you have accessibility requirements and wish to submit your application in a different format, please let us know.  

Your application will be considered based on how well you match the person specification for this role, and successful employment will be subject to an enhanced DBS check and suitable references.  

Upon shortlisting, you will be invited to a ‘Discovery Day’, a group recruitment event consisting of a formal interview with both situational and competency-based questions, a group activity, the delivery of a mock practical session, and a chance to meet our teams and Gappie alumni. 

Our recruitment process reflects how we treat our Gappies and employees. We want to foster a culture of constructive feedback and continuous improvement so encourage you to let us know how we can improve the candidate experience. Likewise, should you require feedback on your unsuccessful application, please get in touch.  

We reserve the right to close applications earlier than the date given. If you are keen to apply for this role, please don’t delay. 

***Please note: applications submitted without a covering letter/video or confirmation of a full UK manual driving license will not be considered.*** 

 

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion 

WeMindTheGap accepts and welcomes the differences that makes up our community. We believe that diversity is a strength, and we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and respected. We actively oppose discrimination in all its forms and strive to ensure that everyone has the equal opportunity to succeed.  

We recognise the importance of having a workforce that reflects the diversity of our community. Our recruitment process and selection of staff will be strictly based on making it easier to build an inclusive workforce with a diverse culture. We actively recruit and retain employees from all backgrounds, regardless of sex, gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief, or marital status.  

WeMindTheGap is a registered Charity number 116150 

The WeMindTheGap WeInspire Programme in Cheshire is funded by The Westminster Foundation.

 

The Job: Youth Development Officer