Recruitment now underway for biggest expansion for a generation in London's Youth Services

​​Newham Council has started the search for talented, dedicated youth workers as part of the biggest expansion in youth services since the 2007 financial crash.

The expansion, bolstered by a £1.4million investment, will deliver the Mayor of Newham’s vision that children and young people in the borough have access to the best youth service in London.

As part of the expansion, 33 full time roles will be created with jobs available for experienced managers, for specialists in particular aspects of youth work, and for those who have just started out on their youth work careers. There are also roles designed to promote participation and increase volunteering opportunities.

Mayor Rokhsana Fiaz said: “Here in Newham, we want our young people to have access to the best youth service in London. They have told us loud and clear that expansion of the current youth offer is a priority for them. Despite falling budgets and huge pressures to spend more in other areas, we are committed to investing in our young people. Our expanded youth service and youth empowerment function will be designed for young people and with their input.

“To help us deliver on our ambitious plans, we need the best people. We want the most inspiring mentors and the best informal educators. We want a team that understands what it is like to grow up in an Inner City borough like Newham. A team that can get to grips with the challenges and also make the most of the amazing opportunity that such an environment brings. More than anything else, we are looking for people that share our enthusiasm, with passion and imagination who can work with young people and help them thrive.”

A decision was made to expand the service following feedback from Newham’s young people and residents through Citizen Youth Assemblies, borough wide Adult Citizen Assemblies and the Annual Youth Zone satisfaction survey.

A report was agreed by Cabinet in April which set out the significant increases to services. These will include: 

  • A huge rise in the number of sessions delivered through each the four existing ‘Youth Zones’ which are located at the Shipman Centre, Beckton Globe, Little Ilford and Forest Gate
  • Increased access to consistent, trusted youth worker role models
  • Establishing a detached youth work team
  • Enhancing provision for young people with Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND), those who are looked after, LGBTQQ young people and young carers
  • New and improved links across Children’s Social Care for the benefit of vulnerable young people in Newham
  • More opportunities to undertake accredited volunteering, for example through the Duke of Edinburgh programme 
  • A massive programme of work designed to support young people to have a greater say
  • A future commitment to increase the number of youth zones from four to eight.

Further details of the biggest expansion of youth services in London for a generation can be found at www.newham.gov.uk/youthworkworks​ 

Published: 12 Jun 2019