Job Summary
We are seeking a motivated and skilled Youth Worker (Band 5) to join the Paediatric Diabetes Service across Tameside & Glossop, supporting children and young people living with diabetes. This post focuses on young people aged approximately 11‑18 years, with particular emphasis on the transition from paediatric to adult services.
As a member of the multidisciplinary Paediatric Diabetes Team, the Youth Worker will deliver and develop a youth‑focused service offering practical, emotional, and psychosocial support. Responsibilities include one‑to‑one and group interventions, clinic participation, service development, and transition planning. The role involves active collaboration with nursing, medical, psychology, and allied health professionals and is supervised by a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in paediatric diabetes.
This 0.9 WTE (33.75 hours per week) post offers flexible working hours to meet the needs of young people, including early evenings and occasional weekends.
Main Responsibilities
- Provide high‑quality, holistic support to children and young people with diabetes, addressing individual emotional, social, developmental and physical needs.
- Deliver one‑to‑one and group interventions to promote emotional wellbeing, social development, self‑management and independence.
- Act as a key worker for young people and families, offering advice, guidance, advocacy and signposting to suitable services.
- Support young people through the transition from paediatric to adult diabetes services, working closely with the multidisciplinary team.
- Participate as a professional member of paediatric diabetes clinics, contributing to patient care and care planning.
- Establish and maintain effective therapeutic relationships with young people, parents/carers and siblings.
- Provide information and advice about psychosocial, educational/vocational, and generic health issues.
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records in line with Trust policies, safeguarding requirements and information governance standards.
- Contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit, evaluation and quality improvement activities.
- Work flexibly across community and hospital settings, including early evenings and occasional weekend hours.
Qualifications
- Recognised qualification in Youth Work, Health, Social Care, Education, Psychology or a related field.
- Professional registration or ability to work in line with National Youth Agency Ethical and Professional Standards (where applicable).
- Desirable: Degree or JNC‑recognised qualification in Youth Work, Social Work, Psychology or a related discipline.
- Desirable: Training in motivational interviewing, adolescent mental health or psychosocial interventions.
Experience
- Experience working directly with children and young people, ideally aged 11‑18.
- Experience providing one‑to‑one and/or group‑based support to young people.
- Experience working with vulnerable young people or those with additional emotional, social or developmental needs.
- Experience working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary or multi‑agency setting.
- Desirable: Experience within a healthcare setting.
- Desirable: Experience supporting young people with long‑term conditions, particularly diabetes.
- Desirable: Experience supporting young people through transition (e.g. paediatric to adult services, education to employment).
- Desirable: Experience contributing to service development, evaluation or quality improvement initiatives.
Skills & Knowledge
- Ability to deliver holistic, youth‑centred support addressing emotional, social, developmental and educational needs.
- Strong communication skills, capable of building trusting relationships with young people, families and carers.
- Understanding of safeguarding children and young people, and the ability to respond appropriately to concerns.
- Ability to assess needs, prioritise referrals and plan appropriate interventions.
- Ability to maintain accurate, timely, and confidential records in line with Trust and information governance requirements.
- Ability to work independently within professional boundaries and recognise own limitations.
- Desirable: Knowledge of paediatric diabetes and its psychosocial impact on young people and families.
- Desirable: Experience delivering recreational, social or developmental programmes for young people.
- Desirable: Experience working alongside psychology or mental health services.
- Desirable: Ability to support young people to self‑advocate and participate in service development.
Personal Attributes
- Caring, empathetic and non‑judgemental approach.
- Flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of young people and services.
- Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Willingness to engage in supervision, reflective practice and ongoing professional development.
Benefits
Flexible working, 27‑33 days annual leave plus bank holidays, sick pay, NHS Pension Scheme, free eye tests and health checks, gym discount, free bicycle loan scheme, salary sacrifice car scheme and support with stress, bereavement, relationships and finance.
EEO Statement
We actively encourage applications irrespective of race, age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion or belief, marriage & civil partnership, or pregnancy or maternity. We would particularly welcome applications from Black, Asian & minority ethnic candidates, LGBTQ+ and disabled people.
Contact
Lead Paediatric Diabetes Specialist Nurse
Karen WrightKAREN.WRIGHT@TGH.NHS.UK01619224844
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