How I Got Here: Jaffer Ali Hussain, head of youth practice for the North of England

A chance meeting

Growing up, I always wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps. She was a bilingual assistant in a primary school. With teaching being my initial goal, I did a lot of cross-curricular and extra-curricular activities, such as being a prefect.

I needed a lift to a school event one day in 2003, when I was 15 years old – my mum and uncle couldn’t take me, so my nan’s neighbour, Imran, took me. He was a local authority youth worker, which I didn’t know at the time, and he suggested I go along to the Youth Forum. I’ve never looked back.

Since then, I became a Youth Parliament member, worked for Serco, set up my own charity (SLYNCS) and held a dream position at The Children’s Society. I celebrated my 20th anniversary of working in the youth sector in October 2023.

Career highlights

I’d always had this dream of wanting to set up an organisation to support more young people, especially Asian young people, into youth work and giving them opportunities. But it always felt like a bit of a pipe dream – it never felt like I could do anything with it. So setting up SLYNCS and leading it for five years was definitely my highlight.

It was incredibly difficult, but I still look at some of the outcomes from that – in particular, where some of those young people have gone. A lot of those young people wouldn’t have ended up being in the place that they are today if it wasn’t for the organisation.

I’m so blessed to have had the life that I’ve had, and a large part of it has to do with youth work.

Overcoming challenges

Like a lot of people, I had some childhood experiences that weren’t the best. That pushed me to use my mind, power and agency to make sure that these don’t happen to other children.

The youth sector is challenging, and it has unfortunately become a very competitive sector. A lot of challenges have been around who I am as a person, as a relatively young, South Asian, Pakistani male. I am confident, and I can be brash, and for some people that can be threatening. Some people say: “How do we work with this kind of a person who’s got all of this vibrancy, energy and enthusiasm and all of this lived experience?” My philosophy is that you don’t need to do anything with that – you should accept me for who I am fully. Unfortunately, one of the reasons why I’ve moved around a lot in my career is due to not feeling fully accepted.

A powerful drive

When I was running my own charity, there were significant disagreements with the board of trustees which meant that I walked away. When you go through an experience where you walk away from your own organsiation for your mental health and wellbeing, even though it is incredibly hurtful at the time, it’s a chance for personal development. One of the things I’ve been doing from the last five to 10 years is immersing myself in my personal development, particularly learning not to spend so much time on things outside of my control.

I have a few other career goals – namely being the first Pakistani Prime Minister and being a wrestling commentator! But I don’t think I would ever leave the youth sector – I’m too passionate about it. I care about young people too much.

Top three career tips

1. Be your full self. Some will love it, some will hate it, but authenticity is important.

2. Be vulnerable. Accept your strengths and weaknesses.

3. Focus on what you are good at to make something you are proud of.