Role overview

We're looking for a Day Centre Receptionist, someone who can be the first point of contact at our busy day centre in Camden, where as many as 70 young people a day regularly access for support. The receptionist will be embedded within our Youth Work team, providing both an administrative and young people focused role. The role will suit an approachable and dynamic individual, who thrives working under pressure and is motivated to deliver the best possible service to young people.

Key details

• Contract type and hours: permanent, full-time (35 hours per week Monday-Friday 9:30-17:00) 
• Starting salary: £31,200. The salary scale is: AP26 (£31,200) to AP30 (£34,736)
• Location: New Horizon Youth Centre, 68 Chalton Street, London, NW1 1JR
• Application deadline: 9am, Monday 24 October 2025
• How to apply: complete our application form below, submit your CV and write a 2 page cover letter/supporting statement. Please don't include your name or address in your CV or cover letter.

Key objectives:

Reporting to: Services Manager for Youth Work and Head of Youth Work

Main tasks and responsibilities

Young people's services

To support young people accessing the day centre services. This will include:

1. Working within the Youth Work Team to ensure young people receive a high-quality service from the point of initial registration to move-on into accommodation and beyond.
2. Managing our busy day centre reception area, welcoming all young people who access, coordinating initial registrations, ensuring young people’s basic needs are supported, and that all contact is appropriately recorded.
3. Providing expert coaching, guidance and advocacy to young people. Helping to problem solve around day-to-day issues they might present with, including access to benefits, ID, accommodation, health and employment.
4. Ensuring a thorough daily handover of actions relating to young people.
5. Working in partnership with internal New Horizon teams including Housing, Health , Youth Justice, Rough Sleeping and Youth Work. Ensuring young people are booked in promptly for assessments and keywork sessions, and are able to participate in our multifaceted Life skills programme.
6. Welcoming and registering any external partner agencies or guests visiting the centre. Liaising with the Admin Team on room bookings and facilities.
7. Ensuring risk management procedures are followed at all times. Liaising with the Duty Manager on any safeguarding concerns or incidents that arise.
8. Providing advocacy and making referrals to appropriate services.
9. Contributing to the management and development of the service, including attending daily briefings, reflective practice sessions and team meetings.
10. Taking a hands-on approach to dealing with complex or difficult cases.

Sharing best practice

To proactively share best practice with internal and external stakeholders in order to maximise the impact of the work of NHYC. This will include:

1. Seeking out and responding to opportunities with specialists and agencies who might offer resources, funding, or individual services relevant to client needs e.g., Local Authorities, Social Services, the DWP, health services, and other voluntary sector agencies.

Information management

To produce and maintain accurate and useful information in a range of formats in order to promote effective service delivery and evaluation. This will include:

1. Recording all contacts with clients appropriately and maintaining all relevant files and recording systems up to date.
2. Inputting and extracting information from client monitoring systems other accounting and database systems. Utilising other relevant software for the production of correspondence and reports.
3. Being self-servicing in day-to-day administration and following team and NHYC’s administrative procedures.
4. Supporting internal teams to develop our internal processes for information management and tracking.

Reviewing personal and professional development needs

To be proactive in reviewing and evaluating own performance and identifying and acting upon areas for improvement. This will include:

1. Reviewing and evaluating own performance to identify strengths and areas for development. Identifying own learning and development needs and opportunities.
2. Undertaking development and training opportunities and being responsible for obtaining maximum benefit through review, reflection, and practice.

Other

To contribute positively and constructively to the development of the teams, service and NHYC. This will include:

1. Covering for other members of the team as necessary, including flexibility to step into workshops being delivered by the wider Youth Work team.
2. Following and implementing NHYC’s policies, procedures and performance expectations in all functions of the post.
3. Undertaking as required any other duties compatible with the level and nature of the post and/or reasonably required by the line manager, Head of Services or Leadership team.

Person specification

We are looking for an individual who can demonstrate the following competencies to a high level and want to use these to the full in their work.

Qualifications, experience and track record

1. Ability to work effectively with young people facing homelessness, or a similar vulnerable group, to identify personal goals and support mechanisms for change. (E)
2. Experience of supporting young people on a 1:1 and group basis. (E)
3. Experience in a receptionist or similar front-of-house role. (D)
4. Ability to work in partnership with internal and/or external stakeholders to deliver frontline services. (E)
5. Experience of using IT systems (including knowledge of databases) to support the achievement of personal and collective work goals. (E)
6. Confidence and ability to work under pressure and multitask in a pressured environment. (E)

Special knowledge and job requirements

1. Ability to maintain enthusiasm for a high level of contact with young people on a day-to-day basis and a genuine interest and passion in helping young people to make changes in their life and move towards independent living. (E)
2. A thorough understanding of the issues, barriers and challenges which young people experiencing homelessness might be facing, especially at the point of accessing help and support. (D)
3. An understanding of the kinds of behaviour young people might demonstrate, and ability to understand this behaviour in a trauma-formed way and developing strategies for managing behaviour. (E)
4. Thorough and up-to-date working knowledge of Local and National Government policies and procedures in relation to housing, benefits system, and young people. (D)
5. An understanding of and a commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion as it applies to a supportive service and in the workplace. (E)
6. Experience and knowledge around safeguarding policy and procedures for children and vulnerable adults. (E)

Additional job requirements

1. Willingness and ability to work outside of normal hours on occasion (within New Horizon’s flexible working arrangements), including work over the Christmas period when required. (E)
2. Willingness to work flexibly in response to changing organisational requirements. (E)
3. Willingness to work from different sites including our day centre in Camden. (E)

Timescales and how to apply

Dates

• Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 24^th November
  
• Shortlisted candidates will be informed:  Friday 28^th November
  
• Interviews:  Thursday 4^th December
  

Application process

1. Complete the application form below
2. Upload your CV setting out your career history, education or qualifications, and other key responsibilities or achievements. DO NOT INCLUDE YOUR NAME OR INITIALS IN THE DOCUMENT FILE NAME
3. Write a cover letter / supporting statement (no more than 1500 words) highlighting your suitability for the role and how you meet the ESSENTIAL criteria listed on the Person Specification, and any additional relevant desirable points you wish to share. Do not include your name, address or any personal details. This is an important part of your application so must be completed. We recommend you work on this in another text file (such as Word) and copy and paste it into the box below when you are ready to submit.

We do not consider incomplete applications.

You will be notified if you have not been shortlisted. However, we are unfortunately unable to provide each individual application with feedback.

If you have any questions or would like to arrange a call to discuss the role, please feel free to email us at recruitment@nhyouthcentre.org.uk or call 0207 388 5560.

Click here to see the job pack in PDF format or the job pack in Word format.