The Boathouse Youth is seeking a Head of Programmes to lead the development, quality and impact of its youth work across Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.

Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer and joining the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll shape inclusive programmes that respond to young people’s needs, interests and aspirations. You’ll provide professional leadership, manage Programme Managers and ensure young people have meaningful opportunities to influence the provision available to them.

This is an opportunity to help BHY achieve its ambition of enabling 5,000 young people to participate in high-quality youth work by 2030.

Salary: £40,000–£50,000, depending on experience.

Key responsibilities

• Lead BHY’s youth work practice, setting clear professional standards across the organisation.

• Develop the programme strategy and framework, creating a connected journey for young people across different ages and stages.

• Ensure young people actively shape programme design, delivery and evaluation.

• Lead quality assurance, supporting consistent standards while allowing programmes to respond to local communities.

• Oversee monitoring and evaluation, using evidence and feedback to improve programmes and demonstrate impact.

• Lead and develop Programme Managers, overseeing programme budgets and the effective use of resources.

• Provide strategic oversight of specialist programmes, residentials and outdoor experiences, including approval of off-site provision.

• Explore research, emerging practice and digital approaches where they offer meaningful benefits for young people.

• Build productive partnerships and contribute to BHY’s wider leadership, strategy and organisational development.

See the employment pack PDF for full details.

Person specification

• A JNC-recognised professional Level 6 Youth Work qualification and evidence of continuing professional development.

• At least five years’ experience in a management or leadership role, alongside significant experience delivering and leading high-quality youth work.

• Experience designing, developing and improving youth programmes, including meaningful youth participation and co-production.

• Experience leading quality assurance, monitoring outcomes and demonstrating programme impact.

• Experience managing staff, projects or specialist teams, and managing or contributing to programme budgets.

• Strong knowledge of youth work principles, child and adolescent development, safeguarding, risk management and inclusive practice.

• An understanding of current youth work research, policy and frameworks, and the opportunities and challenges facing young people in Blackpool and the Fylde Coast.

• The ability to combine strategic thinking with practical judgement, support colleagues and confidently challenge poor practice.

• A collaborative, reflective approach and a commitment to BHY’s values of Love, Respect, Agency and Responsibility.

• Experience in areas such as open-access youth work, residentials, outdoor education, SEND provision, digital youth work or impact evaluation is desirable.

See the employment pack PDF for full details.

The Boathouse Youth is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

The Head of Programmes will demonstrate exemplary safeguarding practice and ensure safeguarding is embedded throughout programme design, delivery, review and off-site activities. They will work closely with the Designated Safeguarding Lead and safeguarding team, supporting BHY’s established procedures and reporting arrangements.

Appointment is subject to safer recruitment checks, including an Enhanced DBS check and satisfactory references.