Programme Manager
Reports To: Director of Programmes & Development
Salary: £29,000 – £31,000 per annum, dependant on experience
Location: Home-based, must be located in or with close proximity to Wiltshire and Somerset
Contract: Permanent, full time
Holiday: 25 days per annum, plus public holidays
Application: Application Form
Closing Date: Monday 16th June 2025 at 9am
The Charity
The Youth Adventure Trust is a youth development charity working with vulnerable young people aged 11 to 16 years old from Somerset, Wiltshire and Swindon. Our outdoor activity based YAT Adventure Programme enables young people to challenge themselves, experience success, learn to go beyond their own expectations and grow in confidence. Through a series of residential camps and day activities they are able to build resilience, self esteem and develop social and life skills. The YAT Resilience Programme works to the same outcomes through a year long programme of monthly activities, home-based challenges and reflective practice. Our Mentoring Programme works with those young people in need of some additional individualised support at the end of our other programmes. The Trust’s Bursary Programme is open to all those young people who have completed an initial programme, in order to assist their next steps into further activities. Our aim is to make a lasting improvement to the lives of vulnerable young people. All our services are provided completely free of charge to the young people who are nominated by schools and other youth organisations to take part.
The Role
We are looking for an experienced, dynamic and motivated Programme Manager to deliver, manage and support our YAT Adventure Programme.
Responsibilities will include:
- Acting as the key point of contact to organise, deliver and oversee the Adventure Programme to a group of young people, including managing and supporting residential adventure camps and activity days throughout the year.
- Recruiting young people to the programme, working in collaboration with our referral partners including schools and other organisations, ensuring all involved have an excellent understanding, relationship and experience with the Youth Adventure Trust.
- Working in partnership with the young people’s families to promote full attendance, effective participation and ensure they have all the information they require.
- Carrying out direct work with young people to help support their needs and fulfil the Youth Adventure Trust’s aims.
- Providing ongoing feedback to young people, parents, carers and schools.
- Supporting the effective monitoring of the programme and measurement of young people’s developmental outcomes.
- Working with the Mentoring Managers to select and support young people moving on to the Mentoring Programme, and promote take up of the Bursary Programme.
- Ensuring the highest standards of support, safety and safeguarding across the programme and all aspects of the Youth Adventure Trust’s work.
- Taking the lead with day-to-day administration and management of the programme. This will include maintaining a database, producing written communications and reports, information leaflets, website updates, budget monitoring, booking and negotiating with providers, and an array of detailed record keeping.
- Contributing to organisational planning and development, including supporting the development of further opportunities for young people.
- Supporting the fundraising team through providing feedback, reports or event support.
You will also;
- Be involved in sector networking and awareness raising on behalf of the Trust.
- Act as an ambassador for the Youth Adventure Trust at all times.
The post is subject to a six months’ probationary period.
The Candidate
To be up to the challenge you’ll need an excellent understanding and a proven track record of relevant experience working with vulnerable and challenging young people. You’ll need demonstrable skills at building effective relationships with young people, parents/carers and professional organisations. You’ll need strong influencing and motivational skills; the capacity to get the best out of people and confidently deal with issues and challenges. You’ll be an excellent communicator, planner and problem solver, a strong team player and an exemplary role model.
We need someone with:-
- Commitment to safeguarding and dedication to promoting the welfare of young people.
- Relevant experience of managing young people, preferably in a residential environment as well as outside of this.
- Experience in working in partnership with other professional organisations and parents/carers.
- Strong leadership and team skills to motivate, support and work alongside a team of volunteers, activity instructors and logistics staff.
- Self-motivation with the ability to work on their own initiative to plan and manage their workload.
- Strong IT skills including experience of MS Office, web based platforms and databases.
- Excellent administrative skills and a methodical and thorough approach.
- The ability to perform well and problem solve in high-stress and changing situations. Ability to be flexible and dynamic in approach.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- A positive attitude, high energy and enthusiasm for the work of the Youth Adventure Trust; an understanding of the positive impact outdoor adventure can have on vulnerable young people, and a desire to help inspire young lives.
In addition:-
- The ability to work flexible hours, evenings and weekends as required is essential – the role includes attending several residential camps over the year, and some weekend days working on activities. If you are looking for a predictable 9-5 work environment, this won’t be the right fit.
- A full current driving licence and access to your own vehicle is required.
Safer Recruitment
The Youth Adventure Trust is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and requires all employees to share this commitment. The suitability of all prospective employees will be assessed during the recruitment process in line with this commitment and in compliance with current employment legislation, and relevant safeguarding legislation and statutory guidance.
Please be advised;
- a satisfactory Enhanced DBS Disclosure with Children’s Barred List will be required for this post;
- we will seek references on shortlisted candidates before interview, and may approach previous employers for information to verify particular experience or qualifications;
- if the applicant is shortlisted, any relevant issues arising from his or her references or application will be taken up at interview;
- in accordance with due diligence checks, online searches may be conducted as part of the selection process on shortlisted candidates;
- if the applicant is currently working with children, on either a paid or voluntary basis, his or her current employer will be asked about disciplinary offences relating to children, including any in which the penalty is “time expired” (e.g. where a warning could no longer be taken into account in any new disciplinary hearing), and whether the applicant has been the subject of any child protection concerns, and if so, the outcome of any enquiry or disciplinary procedure. If the applicant is not currently working with children but has done so in the past, then contact will be made with that employer who will be asked about these issues; and
- applicants should note that providing false information is an offence and could result in the application being rejected, or dismissal if the applicant has been selected, and possible referral to the police.
Please review our Safeguarding Policy available at www.youthadventuretrust.org.uk/policies
How to Apply
Please complete the Application Form which includes the opportunity to outline why you think you are suitable for this role, making specific reference to the Job Description and Person Specification above.
The Application Form should be returned to:
Tessa Woodrow, Director of Programmes and Development
By Email:
Tessa@youthadventuretrust.org.uk
By Post:
Youth Adventure Trust
Windmill Hill Business Park
Whitehill Way
Swindon
SN5 6QR
Applications Closing Date: Monday 16th June at 9am
Shortlisted candidates will be notified by Tuesday 17th June
Interview Date: Monday 23rd June, Location TBC
A second interview will be held for selected candidates on Sunday 29th June in the Wiltshire area.
The Youth Adventure Trust sincerely thanks all those who apply, however only those considered for an interview will be contacted.
Unfortunately we are unable to reimburse interview expenditure incurred.
Data Protection Statement
For information about how we use your data, please see the Privacy Policy on our website www.youthadventuretrust.org.uk/privacy, or request a hard copy by calling 0330 123 2446.
Equal Opportunities and Diversity Statement
The Youth Adventure Trust is an equal opportunities employer, values diversity and is strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment.
Additional documentation: