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 will focus on young people aged approximately 11-18 years, with particular emphasis on the transition from paediatric to adult services.
The post holder will deliver and develop a youth-focused service that provides practical, emotional, and psychosocial support to young people with diabetes and their families. Working as part of the multidisciplinary Paediatric Diabetes Team, the Youth Worker will contribute to clinics, group activities, and one-to-one interventions, supporting young people to build confidence, resilience, self-management skills, and independence.
The role involves close collaboration with nursing, medical, psychology, and allied health professionals, and includes active participation in service development, clinical governance, and transition planning. The post holder will receive regular supervision from a Clinical Psychologist with expertise in paediatric diabetes.
Main duties of the job
- Provide high-quality, holistic support to children and young people with diabetes (approximately ages 11-18), with a particular focus on transition from paediatric to adult services
- Deliver one-to-one and group-based youth work interventions to support emotional wellbeing, social development, self-management, and independence
- Work as an integral member of the Paediatric Diabetes multidisciplinary team, contributing to clinics, reviews, and care planning
- Assess the psychosocial, developmental, educational, and vocational needs of young people and implement appropriate programmes and activities
- Act as a key worker for young people, families, and professionals, offering advice, guidance, and advocacy where appropriate
- Support young people and families through the transition process into adult diabetes services
- Engage and build positive relationships with young people, parents/carers, and siblings, promoting participation and self-advocacy
- Contribute to service development, clinical governance, audit, and evaluation of youth work provision
- Maintain accurate records and documentation in line with Trust policies, safeguarding requirements, and information governance standards
- Work flexibly across settings, including community and hospital environments, with some evening and occasional weekend working
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
- A 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 professional qualification in Youth Work (JNC-recognised), Social Work, Psychology, or a related discipline
- Training in motivational interviewing, adolescent mental health, or psychosocial interventions
Experience
Essential
- Experience of 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 of working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary or multi-agency setting
Desirable
- Experience working within a healthcare setting
- Experience supporting young people with long-term conditions, particularly diabetes
- Experience supporting young people through transition (e.g. paediatric to adult services, education to employment)
- Experience contributing to service development, evaluation, or quality improvement initiatives
Skills & Knowledge
Essential
- Ability to deliver holistic, youth-centred support addressing emotional, social, developmental, and educational needs
- Strong communication skills, with the ability to build trusting relationships with young people and engage families/carers appropriately
- 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
- Experience delivering recreational, social, or developmental programmes for young people
- Experience working alongside psychology or mental health services
- Ability to support young people to self-advocate and participate in service development
Personal Attributes
Essential
- 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
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Closing Date: 11 June 2026
