Youth Advisor Level 2

About the Youth Service

Our Youth Service is dedicated to empowering young people aged 11-19, and up to 25 for those with learning difficulties and disabilities. We offer Information, Advice, and Guidance, alongside a vibrant mix of activities through our youth clubs and community projects.

We focus on supporting vulnerable young people—especially those at risk of challenges such as substance misuse, youth offending, teenage pregnancy, and homelessness. Our goal is to help them build brighter futures through positive engagement and trusted support.

Learn more about what we do:

As a Youth Worker, you'll be at the heart of our mission—engaging with young people aged 11-19 in youth clubs and out in the community. You'll help them shape their own experiences by encouraging participation and co‑creating activities that matter to them.

Your work will include:

• Planning and leading sessions on key topics like relationships, sexual health, bullying, racism, and substance misuse.
• Facilitating fun and inclusive activities such as sports, dance, cooking, and creative projects.
• Managing spaces like the coffee bar and supporting a respectful, welcoming environment.
• Handling challenging behaviour with empathy and professionalism.

You’ll also take part in detached outreach work, connecting with young people in hotspot areas across Portsmouth—whether in parks, on the seafront, or in shopping precincts. You’ll build trust, offer guidance, and signpost to other services when needed.

This role is ideal for someone who is passionate about youth work, enjoys being active in the community, and wants to make a real difference in young people's lives.

• Have previous experience of working with young people aged 11–19 years.
• Have excellent communication skills and be able to engage effectively with young people, staff, and stakeholders.
• The ability to converse at ease with service users and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post.
• Be able to plan group activities onsite and off‑site that engage young people and encourage learning and self‑development, including for the Duke of Edinburgh Award (DofE) programme.
• Be self‑directed and able to work as part of a team.
• Be able to role model professional practice to other staff and demonstrate effective ways of engaging young people.
• Be able to recognise when young people are having issues and be able to respond appropriately, offering support and signposting to other agencies if necessary.
• Be able to make sound decisions to ensure the safety and well‑being of young people, staff, and the wider community.
• Have an understanding of anti‑discriminatory practice – this is essential.
• Be open‑minded but recognise and challenge inappropriateness in a young person's behaviour or language when necessary.
• Be flexible in your hours of work as you will need availability to work in the evenings and occasional weekends for off‑site activities, and to work City Wide if required to meet the needs of the service.
• Be prepared to attend supervision, appropriate training relevant to the post, and team meetings as required.
• Having a full clean driving licence would be advantageous for this post.