Youth Mentor & Support Worker
Location: Balram’s House, Clacton on Sea –
(£13.45 per hour – UK Real Living Wage)
Sleep in rate - £50 per night (between 12 pm and 6 am)
Contract Type: Various
What You’ll Be Doing:
- Mentoring with Purpose: You’ll be the kind of mentor that young people want to talk to, connecting with them, offering guidance, and showing them that there’s always hope, no matter the challenge. Whether they’re in custody, facing mental health struggles, or caught in the chaos of youth justice or gang life, you’ll be a constant, positive presence.
- Creating Vibes: Think of your role as being part cheerleader, part life coach. You’ll build a vibe that makes home feel like a safe space, a place for young people to recharge, feel valued, and gain confidence.
- Cooking Up More Than Just Meals: You’re not just preparing food; you’re creating moments. Sharing a meal at the table, teaching routines, and connecting with young people over shared experiences, while making sure they’re learning vital skills along the way (like how to keep their space tidy and their hygiene on point!).
- Guiding with Routine & Structure: You’ll help establish routines that make the home feel safe and welcoming. Young people thrive on structure, and you’ll be the one to lay it out in a way that feels organic and manageable.
- Championing Independence: You’ll help young people take ownership of their lives by guiding them through everyday tasks, from personal care to handling household chores. It's all about empowering them to be their best selves.
- Leading the Charge on Safeguarding: Keeping everyone safe is your top priority. You’ll ensure young people are protected with clear risk assessments, safety plans, and of course, the occasional pep talk to keep everyone on track.
- Problem Solving Like a Pro: Whether it’s an unexpected challenge or a hard-to-engage young person, you’ll think outside the box to come up with solutions. You’ve got the resilience and creativity to handle whatever comes your way.
- Creating a Safe & Clean Space: You’re not just a support worker; you’re a role model. By keeping the home clean and teaching young people to do the same, you’ll help create an environment where everyone feels comfortable and respected.
The Skills & Qualities We’re Looking For:
- Street-Smart Mentor: You know what it’s like to navigate life, with all its highs and lows. Your experience with youth justice, gang life, and mental health means you can connect with young people who may have been through a lot.
- Energetic & Resilient: This job isn’t for the faint-hearted. You’ll need to be resilient, energetic, and ready to take on challenges, whether it’s working with hard-to-reach young people or keeping things moving when life gets complicated.
- Great Communicator: You’re able to connect with both young people and professionals in a way that’s clear, respectful, and impactful. Your communication skills make everyone feel heard.
- Warm & Approachable: Young people will be drawn to you because you’re genuine, kind, and empathetic. You have a natural ability to make people feel at ease and valued.
- Chef & Mentor in One: Cooking is a way to connect and show care. You’ll prepare meals, sit down with the young people, and make sure they’re learning important life skills while also enjoying good food together.
- Problem Solver Extraordinaire: There’s no problem too big or small. Whether you’re stepping in when things get tough or finding creative solutions to engage a reluctant young person, you’ve got the skills to handle it all.
- Independent & Resourceful: You’re confident in making decisions and working independently, but you know when to collaborate and ask for support.
- Organised & Structured: You know how important it is to keep things in order, whether it’s the routine of the day, household chores, or making sure everyone’s on track with personal hygiene.
What We Need from You:
- Experience with Young People: Ideally, you’ve got experience working with young people, especially those from challenging backgrounds and understand the trauma and struggles they face.
- Passion for Helping Others: You’re not here just for a pay check, you’re here because you truly care about making a positive impact in the lives of young people.
- Commitment to Safeguarding: You’ll need a solid understanding of safeguarding policies, risk assessments, and safety planning to ensure young people are always safe.
- Vibe Creator: You’ll need to bring your A-game in terms of personality and energy, creating an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome, safe, and ready to thrive.
Why This Role Rocks:
We know you’re here to make a real difference, but who says you can't do that and still enjoy a pay check that’ll put a smile on your face? Your salary isn’t just “good” it’s a reflection of the amazing work you’ll be doing, the lives you’ll be changing, and yes, all those high-fives and fist bumps you’ll earn along the way.
But that’s not all you can expect from us! Here’s what we offer in return for your dedication:
- Regular Systemic Supervisions: You’ll have ongoing support to help you thrive in your role and keep you motivated on the journey.
- A Great Salary: We recognise your hard work with a competitive salary that values your expertise and impact.
- Managers Who Get You: Our managers are social workers and systemic practitioners, so they understand the importance of your role and are there to support you every step of the way.
- A Stable Team: You’ll join a supportive, stable team that’s passionate about making a difference together.
- Opportunities for Development: We offer opportunities to further your education, including NVQ Level 3, because we want to invest in your growth.
- Room to Grow: We’re all about growth and opportunity! You’ll have the chance to develop your career and move up within the organisation.
We believe in rewarding hard work, so rest assured, your time and energy will be well compensated. After all, you’re not just a mentor; you’re a hero in action and heroes deserve the best support and the best opportunities. Ready to make a real impact? We can’t wait to meet you!
Pay: £13.45 per hour
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company events
- Company pension
Work Location: In person
