Youth Mentor
Location: Tendring, Essex
Hours: Full-time, 30 hours per week
Annual Leave: 28 days (including bank holidays)
Reports to: Youth Mentor Supervisor
Working Pattern: Flexible working hours, including some evenings and weekends as required.
About the Role
UTurn is looking for a confident, dynamic, energetic and resilient Youth Mentor to join our team and support vulnerable young people aged 11–18 across Tendring, Essex.
Working within UTurn’s award-winning framework, the Youth Mentor will build trusted, consistent and professional relationships with young people, providing trauma-informed mentoring, practical support, positive role modelling and opportunities for personal development.
This is a hands-on, active and varied role for someone who is confident working with vulnerable and challenging young people, including those who may be disengaged from education, experiencing social exclusion or facing other barriers to positive outcomes.
The Youth Mentor will deliver one-to-one and group mentoring, oversee individual projects, run activity clubs and workshops, undertake community outreach and represent UTurn at schools, assemblies, community events and partner activities.
A key part of the role will be using sport, arts, music and other practical and creative activities to engage young people. The successful candidate will be someone who enjoys getting involved and can use their own interests, skills and enthusiasm to inspire young people.
The role requires flexibility in working hours. Some evening and weekend work will be required as and when necessary, including participation in Night-Time Economy sessions delivered in partnership with Essex Police.
The Youth Mentor will also support the transport of beneficiaries as part of UTurn activities and programmes and must hold a valid driving licence appropriate for the vehicle being driven and be prepared to drive a UTurn minibus when required, subject to the organisation's policies, insurance and driver requirements.
Key Responsibilities
1. Youth Mentoring & Relationship Building
- Build and maintain positive, trusting and professional relationships with young people aged 11–18.
- Provide consistent one-to-one and group mentoring.
- Offer emotional support, encouragement, guidance and positive role modelling.
- Support young people experiencing difficulties with wellbeing, education, behaviour, family circumstances, social inclusion, exploitation or exclusion.
- Develop an understanding of each young person's circumstances, strengths, needs and aspirations.
- Work confidently and safely with young people who may present with challenging behaviour or complex needs.
- Establish clear professional boundaries while creating a safe, supportive and inclusive environment.
2. Goal Setting & Personal Development
- Work with young people to identify their strengths, interests, needs and aspirations.
- Co-produce achievable goals and individual action plans.
- Support young people to develop confidence, resilience, self-awareness and independence.
- Monitor progress and celebrate achievements.
- Encourage young people to take responsibility for their choices, development and future.
3. Sports, Arts, Music & Activity Delivery
- Plan, organise and deliver engaging sports, arts, music, creative and recreational sessions for young people.
- Use activities as a key tool for building relationships, trust, confidence and engagement.
- Deliver activities that develop teamwork, communication, resilience, emotional regulation and problem-solving.
- Encourage young people who may be reluctant or difficult to engage to participate in positive activities.
- Run activity clubs, workshops, holiday activities and community sessions.
- Support young people to discover new interests, talents and positive ways to spend their free time.
- Encourage young people to contribute their own ideas and take ownership of activities and projects.
- Adapt activities to suit different ages, abilities, confidence levels and individual needs.
- Ensure all activities are appropriately planned, risk assessed and delivered safely.
The successful candidate should have a strong interest, skill or experience in at least one practical activity area, such as sport, music, arts, fitness, performing arts, outdoor activities, creative media or another activity that can positively engage young people.
4. Life Skills & Informal Education
- Support young people to develop resilience, confidence and self-esteem.
- Develop skills including communication, emotional regulation, problem-solving, decision-making and conflict resolution.
- Use informal education, activities and mentoring conversations to promote personal development.
- Encourage positive decision-making and healthy relationships.
- Help young people develop greater independence and self-awareness.
5. Education, Training & Employment
- Encourage young people to engage positively with education, training and learning.
- Support access to learning opportunities, including ASDAN-accredited programmes.
- Help young people overcome barriers to education and re-engage with learning where appropriate.
- Support transitions into further education, training, volunteering or employment.
- Help young people explore their interests, aspirations and future career opportunities.
6. Projects & Youth Engagement
- Take responsibility for overseeing and delivering individual projects with young people.
- Plan and run engaging activity clubs, youth sessions and workshops.
- Develop creative, practical and educational activities that encourage participation and personal development.
- Encourage young people to take ownership of projects and activities.
- Support young people to develop leadership, teamwork and organisational skills.
- Evaluate activities and identify opportunities for improvement.
7. Evening, Weekend & Night-Time Economy Work
- Work flexibly and adjust working hours where required to meet the needs of young people and UTurn's programmes.
- Participate in evening and weekend youth work sessions as required.
- Take part in UTurn's Night-Time Economy sessions in partnership with Essex Police.
- Engage positively with young people in public and community spaces during evening sessions.
- Identify and respond appropriately to risks affecting young people within the community.
- Promote positive choices, safety, wellbeing and social inclusion.
- Follow all safeguarding, lone-working, health and safety and risk management procedures.
8. School & Community Engagement
- Represent UTurn in a professional and positive manner within the community.
- Attend and contribute to school assemblies, workshops, meetings and youth activities.
- Deliver engaging presentations, workshops and activities for young people.
- Participate in community events, outreach activities and youth hub sessions.
- Build positive relationships with schools, community organisations and local partners.
9. Partnership & Multi-Agency Working
- Work collaboratively with schools, families, social workers, Essex Police, youth services and other professionals.
- Contribute to a coordinated, wrap-around approach to supporting young people.
- Attend relevant meetings and case discussions.
- Share appropriate information in accordance with safeguarding, confidentiality and data protection requirements.
10. Transport & Driving Responsibilities
- Transport beneficiaries safely to and from UTurn activities, programmes, appointments and events where required.
- Drive UTurn vehicles, including the organisation's minibus, where appropriately authorised.
- Hold and maintain a valid driving licence appropriate for the vehicles required to be driven.
- Be prepared to transport beneficiaries in a UTurn minibus when required.
- Comply with all legal, insurance and organisational requirements relating to driving and transporting beneficiaries.
- Complete any required driver training, assessments or checks.
- Carry out appropriate vehicle checks and report faults or concerns promptly.
- Ensure the safety and welfare of young people while travelling.
11. Record Keeping & Monitoring
- Maintain accurate, timely and confidential records of mentoring sessions and activities.
- Record young people's progress, outcomes and achievements using UTurn's systems.
- Contribute to monitoring, evaluation and impact reporting.
- Complete relevant documentation, assessments and risk management records.
12. Safeguarding & Professional Responsibilities
- Follow UTurn's safeguarding procedures and report concerns promptly and appropriately.
- Maintain professional boundaries and confidentiality at all times.
- Comply with health and safety, data protection and other organisational policies.
- Participate in regular reflective supervision.
- Attend mandatory and professional development training.
- Maintain and develop professional knowledge and skills.
- Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the role.
Person Specification
Essential Qualifications & Experience
- Minimum Level 3 qualification in Youth Work, Education, Health & Social Care, Childcare, Community Work, Counselling, Mentoring or a related discipline.
- Experience of working with young people, particularly vulnerable, disadvantaged or challenging young people.
- Experience of managing challenging behaviour and supporting young people with complex needs.
- Experience of delivering one-to-one and group sessions.
- Experience or ability to deliver engaging practical activities, such as sport, arts, music, fitness, outdoor activities or creative sessions.
- Valid driving licence appropriate for the vehicle(s) required.
- Willingness and ability to transport beneficiaries in a UTurn minibus when required.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Qualifications & Experience
Essential
- A minimum of A-level qualifications or equivalent Level 3 qualification, preferably in a relevant subject such as Youth Work, Education, Health & Social Care, Childcare, Community Work, Psychology, Sport or a related discipline.
- Experience of working with young people, particularly vulnerable, disadvantaged or challenging young people.
- Experience of managing challenging behaviour and supporting young people with complex needs.
- Experience of delivering one-to-one and group sessions.
- Experience or ability to deliver engaging practical activities, such as sport, arts, music, fitness, outdoor activities or creative sessions.
- A valid driving licence appropriate for the vehicle(s) required.
- Willingness and ability to transport beneficiaries in a UTurn minibus when required.
- Commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Desirable
- Degree or degree-level qualification in Youth Work, Education, Social Work, Psychology, Community Development or another relevant discipline.
- Experience of working within schools, youth services, social care or community settings.
- Experience delivering youth projects, clubs, workshops or community activities.
- Experience delivering sports, arts, music or other creative activities.
- Experience working alongside police, social workers, schools or other partner agencies.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice.
- Knowledge or experience of ASDAN or other alternative education programmes.
- Experience driving a minibus or transporting groups of young people.
- Relevant safeguarding training or professional experience.
Personal Qualities
We are looking for someone who is:
- Confident – able to communicate effectively with young people, professionals and the wider community.
- Dynamic – energetic, creative and enthusiastic about working directly with young people.
- Resilient – able to remain calm and professional when faced with challenging situations.
- Approachable – able to build trusting relationships with young people from a wide range of backgrounds.
- Inspirational – able to motivate young people and help them recognise their strengths and potential.
- Practical and hands-on – willing to get involved in activities alongside young people.
- Flexible – able to adapt working hours and priorities to meet the needs of the service, including some evening and weekend work.
- Professional – able to maintain appropriate boundaries, confidentiality and safeguarding standards.
- Proactive – able to take initiative, identify opportunities and contribute positively to the development of UTurn's work.
Working Environment
This is not an office-based role. The Youth Mentor will be expected to be active and visible within the community, working across schools, community venues, youth hubs and other settings throughout Tendring.
The role will involve:
- One-to-one mentoring.
- Group mentoring.
- Sports, arts and music sessions.
- Youth clubs and activities.
- Workshops and school assemblies.
- Individual youth projects.
- Community outreach.
- Community events.
- Youth hub sessions.
- Evening and weekend sessions as required.
- Night-Time Economy sessions with Essex Police.
- Transporting beneficiaries to and from activities and programmes.
- Partnership working with schools, families, social workers, Essex Police and other agencies.
Flexibility in working hours is an important requirement of the role. The successful candidate must be willing to adjust their working pattern when required to support evening activities, weekend provision, community events, Night-Time Economy work and the needs of young people.
References & Safeguarding
Two references will be required:
- A reference from the applicant's most recent employer.
- A character reference.
The successful candidate will also be required to meet UTurn's safeguarding and safer recruitment requirements.
Pay: £15.00 per hour
Education:
- A-Level or equivalent (preferred)
Licence/Certification:
- Driving Licence (preferred)
Work Location: In person
