Head of Services - Youth Work

Role overview

We are seeking a Head of Services to lead our Youth Work and Day Centre provision at NHYC. This is an exciting time to join the organisation as we prepare to launch our new five-year strategy. You should be a thoroughly organised individual with extensive experience and expertise in operational service delivery. You should be capable of balancing strong attention to detail with the ability to think strategically, and be flexible to respond to changing demands. You should be an inspirational leader, able to motivate a diverse staff team to deliver consistently high quality services to young people.

Key details

• Contract type and hours: Full-time, 35 hours a week Monday-Friday. Some work over the Christmas period and occasional evenings will also be required.
• Salary: The starting salary for the role is £46,800.00 
• The salary scale is: AP37 (£46,800) to AP41 (£52,000).
• Location: The post is based at: New Horizon Youth Centre, 68 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JR. Some travel across London will be required.
• Application deadline: 12:00 (midday), Thursday 19th June 2025

How to apply

• Read through all the information on this page
• When you are ready, c omplete our application form below :
  • Complete the diversity and adjustment questions
  • Upload your CV. This must not include your name in the document or in the file name, or any contact details or references . This must be no more than 2 pages.
  • Submit your supporting statemen t into the box marked 'cover letter'. This must be no more than 2 A4 pages, or 1500 words, and must not contain your name, address or contact details . We recommend drafting it in a different document and copying and pasting when you are ready to submit.

Key objectives:

• To lead on New Horizon Youth Centre’s (NHYC) Youth Work services, including the Day Centre, Lifeskills programme and Jobs, Education and Training (JET).
• To develop and manage a programme of services within the day centre (and remotely) capable of responding holistically to young people with multiple needs or barriers.
• To motivate, lead, develop and manage a multi-disciplinary team of, delivering a holistic service to young people and enabling them to move on to independence.
• To maintain and build a network of partnerships with relevant external stakeholders.
• To work collaboratively and productively as part of the Leadership Team, promoting effective cross-team working that contributes to the overall objectives of NHYC.
• Reporting to : Director of Operations

Main tasks and responsibilities

Young People’s Services

To develop and manage services and projects that will ensure the provision of high-quality services to young people. This will include:

1. Establishing, developing and sourcing an innovative programme of activities that responds to young people’s changing needs
2. Continuing to develop our Youth Voice strategy, ensuring young people are included and able to participate in the organisation’s strategy and service development.
3. Developing our JET, lifeskills, sports and arts services to meet the standards required by young people, external partners and funders.
4. Overseeing management of the day centre, ensuring effective coordination of our weekly face-to-face offer, ensuring provision of safe, high-quality services.
5. Setting the team’s objectives to meet our overall organisational strategy and mission.
6. Working with the Fundraising team on new funding applications and reporting.
7. Managing the budget and team expenditure in consultation with the Head of Finance and Resources.

Staff Management

To develop the Youth Work Team, ensuring they make a full and positive contribution to the achievement of NHYC’s mission. This will include:

1. Participating in recruitment and training of new staff, volunteers, students and locum workers.
2. Leading, managing and motivating team members including deputy managers and frontline staff through:
• Developing and implementing planned programmes of induction
• Setting and monitoring annual individual performance objectives and development plans in line with the overall strategy.
• Holding regular supervisions, annual appraisals and team meetings.
• Actively promote a learning and development environment.
3. Dealing with problems concerning staff conduct, performance and attendance in line with policies and procedures.

Sharing best practice

To proactively share best practice with internal and external stakeholders in order to maximise the impact of the work of NHYC. This will include:

1. Developing and maintaining effective working relationships with specialists and agencies who might offer resources, funding, or individual services relevant to client needs e.g. Local Authorities, Social Services, the DWP, health services, and other voluntary sector agencies. Formulating Service Level Agreements where appropriate.
2. Researching, developing and piloting innovative services and projects that ensure NHYC remains a leading organisation within the sector.
3. Promoting and representing NHYC externally at relevant forums, meetings and events. Preparing and delivering presentations for internal and external audiences.

Information Management

To produce and maintain accurate and useful information in a range of formats in order to promote effective service delivery and evaluation. This will include:

1. Recording all contacts with clients appropriately and maintaining all relevant files and recording systems.
2. Producing written reports in a variety of formats to meet the requirements of the Leadership Team, Board of Trustees, partners and funders.
3. Inputting and extracting information from the CRM and other accounting systems. Utilising computer software for the production of correspondence and reports.
4. Being self-servicing in day-to-day administration and following NHYC administrative procedures and GDPR policies in all functions of the post.

Safeguarding  

To act as a Designated Safeguarding Officer for the organisation, working with the Designated Safeguarding Lead to implement relevant policies and safeguard staff, young people, and other relevant stakeholders. This will include:

1. Deputising for the Designated Safeguarding Lead to ensure the organisation remains up to date and compliant with both internal safeguarding policy and external legislation.
2. Being available as a key point of contact for staff to raise and explore any safeguarding concerns and incidents.
3. Reviewing safeguarding concerns as a priority, maintaining accurate records of cases, and making external referrals to statutory services where appropriate.
4. Delivering safeguarding training to new and existing staff and contributing to a culture of learning and best practice.

Reviewing Personal Performance and Development Needs

To be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying and acting upon areas for improvement. This will include:

1. Reviewing and evaluating own performance to identify strengths and areas for development. Identifying own learning and development needs and opportunities.

2. Undertaking development and training opportunities and being responsible for obtaining maximum benefit through review, reflection and practice.

Other

To contribute positively and constructively to the development of the team, the service and NHYC. This will include:

1. Acting on behalf of the Director of Operations on day-to-day matters in their absence and contributing to the overall management of the organisation as requested.

2. Covering for other members of the team as necessary, including frontline delivery with young people.

3. Feeding into and following NHYC’s policies, procedures and performance expectations.

4. Undertaking, as required, any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by the Director of Operations or Chief Executive.

Person specification

We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate the following competencies to a high level and want to use these to the full in their work.

Knowledge, Experience and Track Record

1. Experience of managing a diverse range of quality youth work services. (E)

2. A thorough understanding of the issues, barriers, and challenges which young people experiencing homelessness might be facing, especially at the point of accessing help and support. (E)

3. Experience of managing a staff team. A proven track record of providing high-quality supervisions, appraisals, team meetings and training, and dealing with issues around staff conduct or performance. (E)

4. Ability to work collaboratively with internal and external partners to achieve organisational aims and objectives. (E)

5. Experience of using IT systems (including databases) to support the achievement of personal and collective work goals. (E)
6. The ability to multitask, make decisions, and manage multiple priorities effectively in a pressured, fast-paced environment. (E)

7. Experience of working to performance indicators, including monitoring and reporting on service outputs and outcomes, analysing performance information, and identifying corrective action. (E)

8. Ability to maintain enthusiasm for a high level of contact with clients on a day-to-day basis and a genuine passion for supporting young people to move towards independent living. (E)

9. Knowledge of youth work principles and practices, or knowledge of homelessness, and an understanding of how these interact together. (D)

10. Thorough and up-to-date working knowledge of:
• Local and National Government policies and procedures in relation to the client group. (E)
• Relevant organisations and their role and responsibilities in providing support to vulnerable young people. (E)

11. A high level of knowledge of health and safety issues in a working environment, including experience of compiling and implementing risk assessments. (E)

12. A thorough working knowledge around safeguarding policy and procedures for children and vulnerable adults. (E)

13. A working knowledge of and commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as it applies to a service and in the workplace. (E)

Additional Job Requirements
14. Willingness and ability to work outside of normal hours on occasion (within New Horizon’s flexible working hour’s arrangements). This includes some work over the Christmas period. (E)

15. Willingness to work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements. (E)

Key information

Contract

The contract is permanent. It is subject to the successful completion of a probationary period.

Location

The post is based at: New Horizon Youth Centre, 68 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JR. Some travel across London will be required.

Hours of work

The role is full-time (35 hours per week), Monday-Friday. Some work over the Christmas period and occasional evenings will also be required.

Pay

The starting salary for the role is £46,800.00.  The salary scale is: AP37 (£46,800) to AP41 (£52,000).

Timescales and how to apply

Dates

• Closing date for applications: 12:00 (midday), Thursday, 19th June 2025 
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed: Monday 23 June 
• Interviews: Thursday 3 July

Application process

1. Complete the application form below
2. Upload your CV setting out your career history, education or qualifications, and other key responsibilities or achievements. PLEASE DO NOT ADD YOUR NAME OR INITIALS IN THE FILE NAME OF THE DOCUMENT
3. Write a cover letter (supporting statement), of no more than 1500 words, highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the ESSENTIAL criteria listed on the Person Specification, and any additional relevant desirable points you wish to share. This is an important part of your application so must be completed . We recommend you work on this in another text file (such as Word) and copy and paste it into the 'Cover letter' box below when you are ready to submit.

We do not consider incomplete applications.

You will be notified if you have not been shortlisted. However, we are unfortunately unable to provide each individual application with feedback.

Click here to see the job pack in PDF format or the job pack in Word format .

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a call to discuss the role, please feel free to email us at [email protected] or call 0207 388 5560.