Wellbeing and Engagement Mentor
Overview
We are looking for kind, motivated, responsible and dedicated individuals to join our team as Wellbeing and Engagement Mentors, supporting children and young people under the age of 18.
This is a session-based role involving fixed sessions arranged in advance, normally lasting three hours or longer. Most sessions will involve working individually with one young person. Where appropriate, sessions may involve a carefully matched pair of young people supported by one team member.
The children and young people we work with may have additional needs, complex life experiences or heightened vulnerabilities. Some may find it difficult to engage with traditional education or require additional support to build confidence, manage their emotions and participate positively in learning and everyday life.
The role is centred around spending positive, purposeful and meaningful time with the young people you support. Sessions may combine practical activities, informal learning, wellbeing support, community engagement, recreation and opportunities to develop confidence, independence and life skills.
Activities will be shaped around each young person’s interests, abilities, needs and agreed outcomes. This could include cooking, creative projects, exercise, outdoor activities, visiting local attractions, developing practical skills or supporting engagement with learning.
We are looking for people who can build safe, trusting and professionally appropriate relationships while helping young people experience enjoyment, achievement and meaningful progress.
This is more than simply supervising or occupying a young person’s time. Every session should have purpose and contribute positively to the young person’s wellbeing, learning, confidence or personal development.
Key Responsibilities
- Deliver fixed, pre-arranged sessions, normally lasting three hours or longer.
- Work individually with young people or, where appropriate, with a carefully matched pair supported by one team member.
- Build consistent, trusting and professionally appropriate relationships.
- Plan and participate in enjoyable, purposeful and meaningful activities.
- Adapt sessions around each young person’s interests, abilities, needs and agreed outcomes.
- Support engagement with learning in practical, accessible and creative ways.
- Help young people develop confidence, communication, emotional resilience and independence.
- Promote positive wellbeing, healthy routines and constructive ways of managing emotions.
- Support the development of practical life skills and positive social interaction.
- Facilitate suitable activities within the community where agreed.
- Create opportunities for young people to experience enjoyment, achievement and success.
- Encourage participation without placing inappropriate pressure on the young person.
- Provide a safe, supportive and non-judgemental environment.
- Respond calmly and appropriately when a young person is anxious, distressed or struggling to engage.
- Recognise potential triggers and changes in a young person’s behaviour, presentation or emotional wellbeing.
- Follow individual plans, risk assessments, safeguarding procedures and agreed professional boundaries.
- Monitor engagement, wellbeing and progress throughout each session.
- Maintain clear and accurate records of activities, progress, concerns and significant events.
- Report safeguarding concerns, incidents or changes in wellbeing promptly.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, families and other involved professionals.
- Contribute to reviews and the continued development of each young person’s support.
- Participate in supervision, training and team meetings as required.
About You
We are looking for someone who is:
- Present, patient and genuinely interested in the young people they support.
- Caring and compassionate while maintaining clear professional boundaries.
- Consistent, dependable and able to build trust over time.
- Creative and able to turn a young person’s interests into positive experiences and learning opportunities.
- Comfortable supporting learning outside a traditional classroom environment.
- Calm and emotionally resilient in challenging or unpredictable situations.
- Able to motivate and encourage young people without being forceful or judgemental.
- Confident working independently while remaining accountable to the wider team.
- Observant and able to recognise changes in behaviour, mood or wellbeing.
- Able to respond appropriately to risk and follow established procedures.
- Reflective and willing to learn through training, supervision and feedback.
- Committed to safeguarding children and promoting their welfare.
- Reliable and able to provide the consistency that vulnerable young people need.
Experience and Qualifications
Previous experience in education, youth work, mentoring, family support, mental health, social care, sports coaching, community work or a similar role would be beneficial.
We will also consider applicants from other backgrounds who can demonstrate the right values, personal qualities, life experience and ability to engage positively with children and young people.
Qualifications in youth work, education, childcare, counselling, mentoring, health and social care, mental health, sports coaching or a related area would be advantageous but are not essential.
Appropriate induction, training and ongoing supervision will be provided.
Essential Requirements
- A genuine commitment to improving outcomes for children and young people.
- The ability to develop positive relationships while maintaining professional boundaries.
- Strong communication and active-listening skills.
- The ability to work calmly and sensitively with children and young people who may have complex needs or heightened vulnerabilities.
- The ability to follow individual plans, safeguarding procedures and risk assessments.
- The ability to complete clear, timely and accurate session records.
- Reliability and availability for fixed sessions arranged in advance.
- Emotional resilience and the ability to remain calm in difficult situations.
- Sound professional judgement and the confidence to report concerns promptly.
- Willingness to undertake all required safeguarding and role-specific training.
- Flexibility to participate in different activities and work in a range of suitable settings.
- Willingness to travel within the community where required.
- The ability to work independently while communicating effectively with the wider team.
Safeguarding and Safer Recruitment
Safeguarding children and young people is central to everything we do.
All successful applicants will be required to complete a thorough safer-recruitment process before beginning work. This will include:
- An Enhanced DBS check, including a check of the Children’s Barred List where the role constitutes regulated activity.
- Satisfactory and verifiable professional references, which will be obtained and checked directly.
- A reference from the applicant’s current or most recent employer.
- A reference from their most recent employer involving work with children or young people, where applicable.
- Identity, right-to-work and employment-history checks.
- An explanation of any gaps or inconsistencies in employment history.
- Completion of all required safeguarding training.
Appointments will only be confirmed once all required checks and references have been completed to our satisfaction.
Applicants must demonstrate strong professional boundaries, sound judgement and a genuine commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
What We Offer
- Meaningful work with the opportunity to make a genuine difference.
- Fixed sessions arranged in advance.
- Comprehensive induction and role-specific training.
- Regular supervision and support from our experienced team.
- Access to a wide professional network, with appropriate advice and guidance available throughout your role.
- Clear individual plans and risk-management arrangements.
- The information, training and support needed to carry out your role safely and confidently.
- Opportunities for continued learning and professional development.
- Fair pay reflecting the responsibility and importance of the role.
- The opportunity to join a caring, values-led and developing organisation.
You will be supported by an experienced wider team and professional network. We will ensure you are properly equipped for your role and have access to appropriate advice, guidance and practical support whenever required.
If you are dependable, compassionate and passionate about creating positive experiences and meaningful progress for children and young people, we would be pleased to hear from you.
Pay: £26,000.00-£31,500.00 per year
Work Location: In person
