• Our Commitment: We are deeply committed to safeguarding everyone we work with. We expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment and actively help us maintain a safe, supportive environment where everyone feels protected from harm.

• Action & Reporting: We have robust procedures in place to prevent, identify, and address any concerns regarding abuse or neglect. All staff and volunteers have a clear and non-negotiable responsibility to report any safety concerns immediately, and we take all reports seriously.

• Safer Recruitment: As part of our commitment to safer recruitment, all roles working with these groups require an appropriate Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, including checks against the relevant Barred Lists, to ensure only suitable individuals are employed.

Our Commitment to Fairness

We aim to eliminate discrimination and encourage diversity throughout our organisation. We are determined to ensure that no applicant or employee receives less favourable treatment, or is disadvantaged, on the grounds of:

• Protected Characteristics: Gender, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status, or race.

• Justification: We do not impose conditions or requirements that cannot be clearly and legitimately shown to be justifiable for the role.

In Practice

• Flexible Work: We support flexible work arrangements to help staff achieve a healthy work-life balance.

• Encouraging Applications: We actively encourage applications from people with disabilities and strive to create local employment opportunities for all members of our community.

Our Fair Assessment Process

We recognise that people can change, and our assessment process focuses on suitability for the role:

• Individual Assessment: We assess each applicant based on their qualifications, experience, and suitability for the specific role.

• Relevant Factors: When considering an applicant with a criminal record, we carefully take into account:

  • The nature and seriousness of the offense.

  • The time elapsed since the conviction.

  • Any evidence of rehabilitation.

• Safety and Compliance: We comply with all relevant legislation and guidelines concerning the employment of ex-offenders and are dedicated to maintaining a safe and respectful work environment for all our employees.

Our Flexible Working Model

• Pioneering a Four-Day Week: We are excited to be trialing the 80/100/80 model for a four-day working week for eligible roles.

  • 80% of Time: Employees work 80% of their standard hours (e.g., four days instead of five).

  • 100% of Pay: Employees retain 100% of their full-time salary.

  • 80% of Output (or more): We aim to maintain or enhance 100% of productivity and service quality through focused work.

This trial is part of our commitment to creating a sustainable, positive working culture where staff can thrive both professionally and personally.

Additional Flexibility

• Beyond this specific trial, we offer a culture of flexibility across various roles, including:

  • Flexible Working Hours: We support flexible working hours (or ‘Flexitime’) where possible to accommodate personal needs.

  • Part-Time & Bank Staff Roles: We regularly offer part-time and bank (casual) roles which provide flexibility for those who require fewer or variable hours.

We encourage all prospective candidates to discuss flexible working options with the hiring manager during the application process.

If you cannot find a specific role you like right now, but you are interested in YMCA North Tyneside, we would still strongly encourage you to get in touch!

We are committed to building our team and community, and we are happy to discuss several alternative ways you can get involved:

• Current Alternative Vacancies: There might be other roles available that fit your skills better than the one you initially saw.

• Zero-Hour Agreements (Bank Staff): These agreements offer maximum flexibility for working hours, which might suit you if you are looking for occasional or variable work.

• Volunteering Opportunities: This is a brilliant way to gain valuable experience, meet new people, and make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people, and families in North Tyneside.

Please feel free to contact us directly so we can discuss the best way for you to join the YMCA North Tyneside team and contribute to our mission!