We are recruiting for a full time Senior Youth Worker to join our Universal Safe Spaces in Young Tower Hamlets.

This is an exciting time to join Tower Hamlets Youth Service.

A key priority within the Tower Hamlets Council Strategic Plan 2022-2026 is to transform and improve services for young people in the borough. We are ambitious about ensuring that all young people in the borough have access to a diverse range of youth work opportunities and support through the delivery of a high-quality youth service, this includes:

Universal ‘safe spaces’ in every single ward throughout the borough where young people can stay safe, participate in positive activities and educational opportunities as well as access additional support from youth workers. This will be an increase from five commissioned universal services to at least one in every ward therefore providing accessible 'safe spaces’ for all young people.
Targeted whole family support for vulnerable young people and their families.
Integrated detached youth work team providing a preventative and responsive approach to harm outside the home.
Commissioning of specialist youth provision for specific groups of young people.

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity to recruit a Full time Senior Youth Worker for our Universal Safe Spaces team within Young Tower Hamlets.

The key focus for this role will be supporting the Team Manager (Universal Safe Spaces) regarding the effective day-to-day operational delivery of several Universal Safe Spaces across the borough as part of the Young Tower Hamlets offer. This includes the line-management of Youth Support Workers-in-Charge and ensuring that the Universal Safe Spaces within their portfolio are delivered to the highest standard.

In this dynamic role the Senior Youth Worker will:

Line manage the Youth Support Workers-in-Charge, including undertaking one-to-one supervision, delegation of responsibilities and all other aspects of delivering effective Universal Safe Space sessions for young people.
Plan year-round programme plans in collaboration with Youth Support Workers-in-Charge, Youth Support Workers Volunteers and the local Youth Forum, ensuring that plans are user led, varied and informed by the NYA youth work curriculum.
Ensure that practice across the Universal Safe Spaces offer effectively achieves engagement with young people to facilitate their holistic personal, social, emotional, and educational development.
Fulfil the role of Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) as well as ensuring that all safeguarding concerns are raised with the Team Manager and / or Group Manager.
Ensure that, as part of reporting, planning and evaluation of the Universal Safe Spaces offer, participation of young people is at the heart of practice, so their voices and experiences are heard and understood.

Role Requirements

Knowledge of current developments and of key national policy drivers, legislation and broader influences related to the role.
Understanding of the key principals of good youth work practice, with the ability to link theory to practice.
A strong understanding and application of safeguarding practices which effectively safeguard children, young people and vulnerable adults.
A relevant degree or professional qualification in youth work, youth justice, probation or social work
Experience of managing buildings and line managing staff and / or volunteers working across a range of settings.

Our offer

We are committed to developing excellent managers and practitioners and making Tower Hamlets an employer of choice. If you choose to work with us, you will benefit from:

A competitive salary - £45,852 to £49,155 (Grade I)

Up to 31 days annual leave rising to 32 days with 5 years continual service and 8 bank holidays
Learning and development opportunities via my annual review scheme and supervision
Enhanced sick pay scheme, maternity/adoption leave pay and maternity support leave

Opportunities for agile/flexible working around service delivery and priorities. Working hours will primarily be between 1:00pm – 9:00pm with some flexibility to start early / finish early on non-youth centre delivery days, as agreed by your line manager.

Cycle to work scheme/ Rent deposit scheme/Access to free eye tests
Discounted gym/Costco membership
You at Work discounts and many others

The vacancy will be closed once we have reached the maximum number of applications.

We have fantastic transport links –Tower Hamlets Town Hall is directly opposite Whitechapel Station, which is a minute away. Whitechapel is an interchange station which serves Hammersmith & City, District, Overground, with quick access to central line DLR and Jubilee lines. We also have the Crossrail Elizabeth line with links to Canary Wharf, Shenfield/Abbey Wood/Heathrow and Stratford, which is the best-connected hub in London.

All applications should be made via our online application system, no CVs or alternative forms of applications are accepted.

If you require more information on the role, please contact [email protected]

Tower Hamlets is a truly unique borough at the heart of London – a place where history and innovation sit side by side. From the docks and markets that shaped the East End to the global business hub of Canary Wharf, we are proud to be one of the most dynamic, diverse, and ambitious communities in the UK. We are also one of the fastest growing and youngest boroughs in the country, offering unrivalled opportunities to make a real difference to people’s lives. Our residents are energetic, creative, and resilient, and our council is committed to delivering the best possible services and opportunities for them.

Our award-winning new Town Hall in Whitechapel provides a modern, flexible workplace for our staff, right at the heart of the borough and directly opposite Whitechapel Tube and Elizabeth line station. It is more than just a workplace – it’s a hub for collaboration, innovation and community, designed to bring out the best in our people.

As an employer, we put equality, diversity, and inclusion at the heart of everything we do. Our active Employee Network Groups celebrate and champion our workforce, helping to ensure that everyone feels a sense of belonging. Guided by our TOWER values – Together, Open, Willing, Excellent and Respect – we are building a positive, inclusive culture where colleagues can thrive.

At Tower Hamlets Council, you’ll find exciting challenges, supportive colleagues, and the chance to shape one of London’s most important and vibrant places. If you’re looking for a role where you can see the impact of your work every day, then Tower Hamlets is the place for you.