Floating Support keyworkers

After leaving school, I worked in the textile industry for over 20 years. To support and encourage my daughter to attend college I completed an access to higher education course, where I had the chance to volunteer at a homeless shelter as part of the curriculum.

My passion for helping others then led me to start working with young people, initially in a mother and baby unit. In 2003, I joined Calderdale Council as a casual residential worker, becoming a permanent staff member in 2007. I then moved to a short break unit for children with learning disabilities in 2011, where I stayed until 2015 before changing my career path to focus more on support than care.

For the next 8 years, I had the privilege of supporting 16-18 year old care leavers, and I was even promoted to manager in 2018. It was a very rewarding experience, but I was eager for a new challenge when the opportunity to become a team leader working with Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) became available. I'm really enjoying the new experiences and the chance to support these young people as they navigate the asylum process and work towards living independently developing skills for community safety and involvement, personal hygiene, and basis English.

Outside of work, I cherish my time with my children and grandchildren. It brings me great joy to be able to spend quality time with my loved ones.

24/7 Operational Manager

Babita has worked with children for over 20 years. She has worked in the Education sector in a safeguarding role, before transitioning into Safeguarding Lead with Youth Hubz Semi Independent Support where she has worked for the last 18months. She is currently completing Level 4 in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner and ensures she keeps up to date with her role by attending various Safeguarding Leadership courses with new legislation and guidance. Babita has been Safeguarding Lead since 2021. She supports the implementation of policies and procedures with safeguarding practices. She ensures staff are up to date with all the developments in child protection policy, research, practice and guidance. In 2023 Babita was promoted to Operational Manager for 24/7 support.

Director

Gary opened Youth Hubz in 2019 with one property and 3 staff. The planning for this property was thorough. He recruited very experienced staff who had extensive knowledge and service with young people, one with 15 years at Barnardos and the other over 30 year in youth work. They opened a high spec flagship property. Gary studied the legislation, training and networking. He worked shifts as he felt it was positive that he could empathise with staff because of this. As the needs of the young people changed Youth Hubz adapted by adding trainer flats and floating support. Gary has worked on-call, completed and evaluated training, including c-card, safeguarding Leeds – and functioned as the manager until recruiting a highly experienced RSM. He kept abreast of regulations and legislation. He constantly develop my understanding of good practice in provider collaborations, networking with external agencies and attending Ofsted conferences. He is totally committed to providing the best possible service for the young people Youth Hubz supports. Gary is proud of what the team has achieved.

Registered Service Manager

Andrew has worked with children and young people for over 20 years in coaching, education and support worker settings. Andrew was head of a physical education department within a secondary school, and this grounding within education, has helped with his transition into working with LAC, within a supported accommodation setting. Andrew was a manager of a supported accommodation 7 bed property, he always strives to deliver a quality service to all young people, to achieve positive outcomes, and for the young people to feel secure and safe. Andrew is very young people-centred, this is at the forefront of his work practice, and he always ensures that the high-quality standards match the thoughts and feelings of the young people. Andrew leads a team by example, fully understands the importance of the new Ofsted framework; to drive the standards and to keep the ‘bar’ high. Andrew has completed a Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management for Residential Childcare.

In Andrew’s spare time he like to train towards his black sash in Wing Chun kung fu and enjoys spending time outdoors camping with family. Andrew loves all animals, and you will find a fish tank in his office!

24/7 Operational Manager and Safeguarding Lead

Babita has worked with children for over 20 years. She has worked in the Education sector in a safeguarding role, before transitioning into Safeguarding Lead with Youth Hubz Semi Independent Support where she has worked for the last 18months. She is currently completing Level 5 in Children, Young People and Families Practitioner and ensures she keeps up to date with her role by attending various Safeguarding Leadership courses with new legislation and guidance. Babita has been Safeguarding Lead since 2021. She supports the implementation of policies and procedures with safeguarding practices. She ensures staff are up to date with all the developments in child protection policy, research, practice and guidance. In 2023 Babita was promoted to Operational Manager for 24/7 support.

Floating Support Operational Manager and
Safeguarding lead

Katie has worked with children and young people while working for Leeds City council where she worked for 18 years. Katie has worked for the Anti-Social Behaviour Team within her role she has supported young people with improving their lives for the better. She is currently studying a degree within Youth Justice Studies. Katie started at Youth Hubz in February 2023 Katie worked as an ad hoc support worker with young people in 24/7 and floating support before transitioning into floating support. Katie is committed to ensuring that our Young People are supported in their transition into independence and has their needs at the forefront of every choice they make which will shape their future. Supporting and guiding every young person into adulthood ensuring they have the best outcome make positive steps with the next journey in life. In katie personal time you will find katie at the farm where she has her own horse which she loved to ride. Katies has had a successful background in white collar boxing. she loves to ride her horse and you will often find her at stables when not working.

Finance Manager

Kim is the finance manager for both companies

Finance Assistant

I am an Account Assistant currently pursuing a Level 2 Accounting qualification while working at Youth Hubz and Care Hubz since December 2021. I began my journey with the company by doing basic administrative duties before transitioning into my role in accounting. In my current position, I am responsible for supporting the finance team with various accounting tasks, including petty cash, credit cards and budgets. This role has provided me with valuable practical experience. My Level 2 Accounting apprenticeship has been crucial in deepening my understanding of accounting principles and practices.

Finance assistant

 Alex is the third member of the finance team and works alongside Kim and Ellie. He has worked for the company since July 2021. During this time, he has developed his role and is currently working on his NVQ level 2.

Alex is interested in rock music and enjoys attending concerts and festivals. He likes travelling and has recently visited Amsterdam and Prague. His main interest is in computers and he studied at Thomas Danby college to develop his IT skills. Alex is regularly called in the office to trouble-shoot with technical hitches.

Prior to working for Youth Hubz, Alex worked for Beyond Lettings answering queries, setting up viewings and inputting data.

HR executive

 I am a mother of 4 and grandmother of 7 – I am very family orientated and am lucky enough that they all live close. I like to travel and have just returned from 6 weeks in Australia/ New Zealand and the smaller islands off the Barrier Reef. I enjoy staying in rural or coastal areas of Britain with my two very active dogs which require long walks. I have also organised and led 18 residential trips to outward bound centres where I have led activities like climbing, caving and gorge scrambling. I was part of an organised caving trip with one of the first four women cave leaders to descend into Bar Pot and travel through the entire Gaping Gill system to emerge from the main shaft.

I have worked with children and young people for my entire career in a variety of different roles.

I qualified as a teacher in 1978. In my first role i worked in an education setting with travelling children in Boston, Lincolnshire. Since then I have had 26 years of working in schools – at first as a class teacher and later as Assistant Head. Within the school setting I was responsible for teaching and learning, recruitment, supporting staff development, performance management, probation and student liaison. I attended management training courses and organised training to meet the needs of the teachers and support staff.

I also have a Social Care Qualification and 5 years’ experience of working in a large family group Children’s home in Leeds. My duties there included rota management, attending meetings, liaison with other professionals, transitioning children in and out of the home, organising group activities including holidays and day to day care tasks for the 20 children within the home.

I have now worked for Youth Hubz for 4 years. I am currently the HR Executive for both Youth Hubz and Care Hubz.

Administrator

I'm Stevie, and my journey with Youth Hubz has been nothing short of transformative. Starting as an administrator when our team was just 10 strong and only 3 properties, I've had the privilege of growing alongside this organisation. Over the past 3 and a half years, I've seen Youth Hubz expand in ways I never imagined. From its humble beginnings to its current status as a beacon of support for youth, I have enjoyed every step of the journey. Now, as the HR & Payroll Officer. My responsibilities span the entire spectrum of HR functions. It's a role that challenges me every day, but it's also incredibly rewarding to see the impact of our work on the lives of our staff and young people. In addition to my work at Youth Hubz, I'm also furthering my education. I'm currently working towards my CIPD HR consultant degree, eager to expand my knowledge and expertise in the field.

Member

I am currently undertaking a Level 3 HR Support Apprenticeship while simultaneously managing the reception for Youth Hubz and CareHubz. My journey with Youth and Care Hubz began in November 2022 where I was initially only working two days a week on basic administrative tasks. Over time, I have evolved into my role as HR Admin, where I am responsible for supporting HR operations and all aspects of the Safer Recruitment process. I am extremely enthusiastic about furthering my career and growing alongside a constantly advancing company in such a rewarding and fulfilling sector.

Property administrator

I have been working for Barkers Properties since 2022 and I am the Property Administrator across the Hubz companies. I oversee everything property related, setting them up with tenancy agreements, utilities, insurance and creating systems to maintain these areas.  I work closely with the Project Manager and Interior Designer, scheduling any works required within these properties before they open and in between placements for our Young People. I ensure our homes meet Health & Safety and Fire regulations, implementing the correct safety requirements and oversee maintenance works and property certificates. Each day is never the same! Our property portfolio is constantly expanding, so my job role is always fast paced and exciting.

Property administrator

In my role as a Property Administrator I am responsible for keeping all our properties up date with any maintenance or repairs required, liaising with contractors and key workers to ensure all work required is completed in a timely manner and with the least disruption to our young people. I also ensure all property safety certificates are up to date and renewed when necessary, keeping all our properties up to the high standards we expect to ensure the young people have a safe comfortable home.

Property administrator

Text coming soon

Website manager, In house trainer
and Young Person Champion

In 2021 Kim started at Youth Hubz, preliminary as a key worker in supported accommodation and quickly rising through the ranks to become a senior keyworker and team leader. Kim is Youth Hubz in house trainer working with both staff and young people to upskill them on the company’s systems and training development. Kim is a dedicated medication trainer who has also completed the comprehensive 3-in-1 training program. She has also earned her Safeguard Lead certification, showcasing his commitment to promoting safety and well-being. Kim's innovative approach to supporting both young people and staff has been recognised, leading to her promotion to website manager, in-house trainer, and young person champion in March 2024. When she's not working, Kim can be found pursuing her passion for photography and spending time with her beloved pug.

Team Leader

Jay began his professional journey as an ad hoc member of staff while serving with the Airport Fire Service based at Church Fenton. He then transitioned to Youth Hubz full-time as a Keyworker. Through dedication and hard work, Jay was promoted to Team Leader and eventually moved to lead the Unaccompanied Asylum-Seeking Children (UASC) service specifically. Jay has been with Youth Hubz for two years, where he has become an integral part of the team. He is the Key Trainer for Team teach, a program focused on positive behavioural support and physical intervention techniques. Additionally, Jay is trained in the comprehensive 3 in 1 program and has completed his Safeguard Lead training, demonstrating his commitment to ensuring safety and well-being. Jay's diverse background, combining experience in emergency services and youth support, underscores his versatile skill set and dedication to making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people.

Team Leader

Alll about riziki is coming soon!

Floating Support keyworkers

With a career spanning over 38 years, Gill has established herself as an experienced and compassionate professional in the field of youth work. After qualifying as a Youth worker in 1987, Gill went on to work in various settings, dedicating her time and expertise to empowering young people. From 1995 to 2019, she was a practitioner at Barnardo's, where she worked tirelessly with young people who were at risk of or involved in sexual exploitation. Since January 2021, Gill has taken on the role of a floating support worker for Youth Hubz, continuing her commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of the individuals she serves. In her personal time, Gill enjoys the simple pleasures of going on holiday and indulging in the timeless tradition of afternoon tea.

Floating Support keyworkers

Vince is a floating support worker at Youth Hubz. He joined the organisation in June 2023 and works full-time in this role, but also frequently assists in the 24/7 services.

For the past 17 years, Vince has been involved in the entertainment industry, where he's become a renowned artist within the music scene. Even with his busy schedule at Youth Hubz, Vince continues to create music in his spare time, sharing his talents with everyone. Vince came to Youth Hubz seeking a new challenge where he could give back to the younger generation. Although he had no prior work experience in this field, Vince has quickly adapted and become a highly valued member of the floating support team.

Vince really enjoys supporting the young people he works with, helping them engage in community activities, manage their budgets, and maintain healthy eating habits. He is a strong advocate for ensuring that the views, wishes, and feelings of the young people are heard and met. This recently led to Vince supporting a young person on an educational trip overseas.

Floating Support keyworkers

As a new floating support worker at Youth Hubz, Gemma brings a wealth of experience and a genuine desire to make a difference in the lives of the people she supports. With 15 years of supporting experience under her belt, Gemma is well-versed in providing the support and guidance needed to help individuals reach their full potential. Currently enrolled in a full-time psychology degree, Gemma appreciates the flexibility of the floating support role, which allows her to accommodate her studies and family commitments. Gemma takes great pleasure in the diversity of the role, from facilitating keywork sessions to participating in engaging activities that promote positive relationships. In her spare time, Gemma indulges in her love of old-school R&B music.

Floating Support keyworkers

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Floating Support keyworkers

Lizzy joined Youth Hubz in November 2023, taking on the role of bank staff. In early 2024 she transitioned to become a key worker for the organisation's floating support services. Lizzy really enjoys the flexibility of floating and supporting the young people to live independently supporting with housing applications, bidding, budgeting and community engagement. In addition to her work at Youth Hubz, Lizzy has been employed in the education sector, specifically at a primary school, for the past 12 years

Floating Support Keyworkers

Beth joined the Youth Hubz team in August 2023 as a keyworker. After finishing high school, Beth studied overseas in Bahrain for five years starting in 2013. When Beth returned to the UK in 2018, she began working in early years provisions before transitioning to supporting adults with additional needs, which she thoroughly enjoyed. However, when an exciting new opportunity arose at Youth Hubz, Beth seized the chance to take on a new challenge. Since joining the Youth Hubz team, Beth has done some incredible work with our harder to reach young people. She's developed such positive relationships and helped them work through their trauma and attachment issues. More recently, Beth has transitioned to our youth floating support service, where she helps young adults learn to live independently with no on site staff. When Beth isn't busy at work, you'll likely find her spending time with her beloved dog, Harper. They're the best of friends!

24/7 Support Keyworkers

Shane has dedicated his career to supporting young people since leaving high school in 2009. He started as a sports coach with Leeds City Council, which led to his involvement with the Leeds Project Breeze program, where he worked with disadvantaged youth in the community. Shane then moved on to work for a project called Positive Futures, where he helped children from lower socioeconomic areas develop their confidence and build positive relationships. After his time with Leeds City Council, Shane decided to shift his focus to working with young adults with complex needs, a sector he found deeply rewarding. In July 2021 Shane seized the opportunity to work with young care leavers when a position became available at the Youth Hubz, where he now works in 24/7 supported accommodation with some of the harder to reach young people. Despite the challenges, Shane has had tremendous success in supporting these young people to live independently. Shane enjoys going on long-distance trips with the young people he supports, as he believes these experiences can help build their confidence and provide them with new, positive experiences. When he's not working, Shane can be found playing football for his local club or spending time at the caravan with his family.

24/7 Support Keyworkers

Michelle is a longstanding keyworker at youth hubz. Michelle is well respected across all departments and has had tremendous success supporting CSE and complex high need young people.

24/7 Support keyworkers

Gemma is a youth hubz keyworker.

24/7 Support Keyworkers

Josh's journey with Youth Hubz began 2 years ago, but his dedication to empowering young people spans well over a decade. Armed with degrees in Early Years and Family Support, Josh is a adaptable professional who has honed his skills working in diverse settings, from pupil referral units to SEMH schools. As he explores the possibility of a PhD focused on young fatherhood, Josh continues to be a driving force behind the success of the Youth Hubz program, inspiring the youth he works with through his passion, expertise, and genuine concern for their well-being. Josh will work across all the services providing occasional support to Floating Services and also the 24/7 an UASC. Sport is a huge part of Josh’s life, particularly football and rugby. He previously played rugby to a semi-professional standard and enjoys coaching his sons football team.

24/7 Support Keyworkers

Clarissa has over 5 years’ experience in the health and social care sector working within various roles whilst completing her A-Levels in Health and social care with children’s development and a degree in Youth and community. Clarissa has also completed the NSC summer camp as a mentor and supported young people with a focus on Life and Independence skills. Clarissa started at youth hubz after completing a degree in youth and community. Clarrissa thoroughly enjoyed working in variety areas of company.

24/7 Support Keyworkers

Aimee joined the Youth Hubz team in December 2023 after completing her Youth Work degree. Despite being one of the younger keyworkers, Aimee has quickly become a valued member of the team. Aimee's enthusiasm and passion for her work are evident in her unwavering commitment to supporting and advocating for the young people at Youth Hubz. She explains that she chose to become a support worker because she remembered how much she needed that support when she was younger and trying to navigate through life. Aimee has developed wonderfully positive relationships with all the young people she works with, and she finds her job incredibly rewarding. Looking ahead, Aimee aspires to continue progressing within her role at Youth Hubz.

24/7 Support Keyworkers

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24/7 Support Keyworkers

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Traditionally our industry has used Lorem Ipsum, which is placeholder text written in Latin. Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with Lorem Ipsum and that can lead to confusion. I can’t tell you how many times clients have asked me why their website is in another language!

24/7 Support keyworkers

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24/7 Support Keyworkers

This is just placeholder text. Don’t be alarmed, this is just here to fill up space since your finalized copy isn’t ready yet. Once we have your content finalized, we’ll replace this placeholder text with your real content.

Sometimes it’s nice to put in text just to get an idea of how text will fill in a space on your website.

Traditionally our industry has used Lorem Ipsum, which is placeholder text written in Latin. Unfortunately, not everyone is familiar with Lorem Ipsum and that can lead to confusion. I can’t tell you how many times clients have asked me why their website is in another language!