Youth Worker: Sponsorship Available

Job summary

This is an opportunity to make a real difference for young people facing some of the most challenging periods of their lives. You will help them build confidence, have their voices heard, and develop the skills and independence they need to navigate healthcare, adolescence and the transition to adulthood.

Main duties of the job

There is growing recognition that children and young people in hospital benefit from support that is developmentally appropriate, relationship-based and responsive to their individual needs. Adolescence can be a complex time to navigate, and for young people accessing specialist healthcare this can be further shaped by disruption to education, independence, emotional wellbeing, peer relationships and confidence in managing their own care. Without the right support, young people may find it harder to engage with services, express their views and prepare for adulthood. We have an exciting opportunity to further develop youth work at Great Ormond Street Hospital by introducing a Youth Worker to the team. The post holder will work alongside colleagues across the Play and Youth Services department and the wider multidisciplinary team to provide holistic, targeted and individualised support to young people with a range of needs and experiences. The aim of this post is to help create opportunities for young people to build confidence, develop knowledge and skills, strengthen their voice in care, and improve their experience of hospital services as they move through adolescence and towards adulthood.

Person Specification

Skills/Abilities

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively with children, young people, families and professionals.
• Ability to build positive relationships and engage young people from a range of backgrounds.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to organise workload, prioritise tasks and maintain accurate records.
• Ability to respond appropriately to distressing or challenging situations.
• Good IT, documentation and report-writing skills.
• Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and person-centred practice.
• Ability to reflect on practice and engage in supervision, training and service development.

Experience/Knowledge

Essential

• Experience of working with children, young people and families in a health, education, youth or community setting.
• Experience of assessing needs and providing practical and emotional support to children and young people.
• Understanding of adolescent development, transition, safeguarding and child protection.
• Knowledge of working in partnership with multidisciplinary teams and external agencies.
• Awareness of confidentiality, information governance and professional boundaries.
• Experience of working as part of a diverse team.

Desirable

• Experience of working in an acute hospital or specialist paediatric setting.

Academic/Professional qualification/Training

Essential

• Relevant qualification in Youth Work or equivalent experience
• Where no Youth Work qualification is held, willingness to complete Youth Work Apprenticeship.
• Knowledge of relevant legislation, safeguarding requirements and policies affecting children, young people and families.

GOSH Culture and Values

Essential

• GOSH Values

Closing Date: 18 October 2026