Role: Student Mentor Outdoor Activities
Base: Fort Widley (with occasional travel to Gosport based on business needs)
Hours: Full-time (8.30am-4.30pm)
Line Manager: Project Manager
Salary: £27,300- £28,119 /annum (salary to be revised following annual pay review cycle)
Purpose of the Role
The student mentor outdoor activities lead will work directly with young people, helping them to build life skills, develop healthy relationships and make decisions that are right for them. The role combines mentoring and leading structured outdoor learning sessions and activities. The postholder is responsible to create safe, engaging, and purposeful outdoor experiences that build s confidence, resilience, teamwork, and positive behaviours, while also providing consistent support tailored to individual needs of young people in the provision.
Key Responsibilities
Mentoring and Student Support
To support the operational team in the delivery of sessions, with a dynamic and flexible approach. Lead sessions where appropriate ensuring correct staff ratios for all groups during the day. Working with students, parents, carers and commissioners to ensure good lines of communication throughout. Assist the wider Operational team in all safeguarding of students during onsite and offsite activities.
· Build trusting, positive relationships with young people, providing consistency and predictability. Role-modelling appropriate behaviours and supporting young people to unpick needs and concerns restoratively. Setting up and running projects as per Oarsome Chance business framework.
· Work on a 2:1 ratio, with 1:1 session where required and in small groups to support young people with barriers such as low self-esteem, anxiety, behavioural challenges, and disengagement. Encourage young people and show enthusiasm for the subject indoors and outside in the wider environment.
· Support the implementation of behaviour plans, risk assessments and individual learner journeys. Maintaining confidential information while being conscious of what needs to be shared and with who in a timely manner, writing feedback and presenting case findings during regular review discussions and sharing insights in team briefings.
· Monitor wellbeing concerns and report any safeguarding issues promptly in line with organisational procedures. Working with other organisations, such as schools, community groups and police.
· Promote positive management of behaviour of young people; establish routines and boundaries to ensure the safety and good behaviour of the young people, supervising them at all times.
· Transport support where applicable, being confident and assertive in respect of the safety of young people during transport.
Leading Outdoor Activities
· Plan, deliver, and supervise a range of outdoor learning sessions (e.g. team building, bushcraft, nature-based activities, adventure sports, paddle sports, mountain biking etc)
· Ensure all activities are adapted to meet a range of abilities, needs, and behaviour profiles within the cohort.
· Carry out robust risk assessments before and during activities.
· Maintain equipment, ensure safe use, and follow health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
· Promote teamwork, confidence building, resilience, and problem-solving through structured outdoor experiences.
· Work collaboratively with staff members and project leads to support individual learning and engagement levels of young people in the program.
· Reinforce session expectations and support transitions between activities.
· Encourage participation and positive behaviour during all sessions, using restorative and trauma-informed approaches.
· Support recording of attendance, progress, and behaviour data as required.
Key Worker Responsibilities
- Provide one-to-one and small-group support for young people with SEND and social and emotional mental health needs.
- Able to manage case work for 2 to 3 young people on a daily basis.
- Build positive, trusting relationships that support engagement, wellbeing, and readiness to learn.
- Support young people to regulate emotions and manage behaviour in a safe, calm, and structured way.
- Implement individual support strategies in line with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), risk assessments, and agreed support plans where applicable.
- Promote independence, resilience, confidence, and positive social development.
- Work closely with project managers and colleagues to adapt sessions and activities to meet individual needs.
- Monitor, record, and share progress, achievements, attendance, and concerns with the wider team in line with organisational procedures.
Communication and Safeguarding Responsibilities
· Communicate effectively with parents/carers, social workers, and external agencies where needed.
· Provide regular feedback on progress, concerns, and achievements of young people.
· Uphold the organisation’s values, safeguarding procedures, and equality and diversity commitments
· As member of the Oarsome Chance team the post-holder will have a responsibility in every circumstance to promote and safeguard the welfare of young people in the provision.
Person specifications
Essential Skills
· Experience working with young people facing behavioural, social, emotional or mental health needs.
· Strong mentoring or youth work background.
· Experience leading outdoor, sports, or adventure-based activities.
· Ability to engage hard-to-reach young people using patience, empathy, and resilience.
· Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and behaviour management.
· Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally.
· Strong communication and teamwork skills.
· Ability to carry out risk assessments and maintain safe practice
· Flexibility is essential. Occasionally due to changes in the programme, staff must be able to think independently and respond to sudden changes to plans.
· Rigor to develop oneself within the role, a commitment to the role and being able to deliver the core hours.
Desirable Skills
· Outdoor leadership qualification (e.g., Level 2/3 Outdoor Instructor, Forest School Leader, NGB awards).
· First Aid qualification.
· Experience working in alternative provision, youth program, or SEMH settings.
· Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, or therapeutic mentoring.
Desirable (but not essential as training will be given)
· Annual safeguarding for school staff KCSIE 2021
· Conflict de-escalation in a school setting
· Safeguarding and protecting children L1
· Foundation and Safety, Rescue Training (FSRT)
· RYA (or equivalent) first aid training
· Mental Health first aider
· Willing to undertake further training and updates
Safeguarding Statement
The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references.
This role involves driving, hence having a valid UK driving licence is mandatory.
Last day of application: 19th August 2026
Pay: £27,300.00-£28,119.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Application question(s):
- Driving Licence (mandatory)
Work authorisation:
- United Kingdom (required)
Work Location: In person
