Youth Trailblazer Coach
Location: Dudley Borough – community-based delivery across priority areas, including DY1, DY2, DY3, DY5, DY8/DY9, B62/B63 and WV14.
Contract: Fixed term until 31st March 2027
Start date: To be advised
Hours: Part-time
We are seeking a motivated and experienced Youth Worker to support young people aged 18–21 who are not in education, employment or training, economically inactive or unemployed.
The role will focus on engaging young people who may face barriers such as low confidence, poor wellbeing, limited employability skills, social isolation, caring responsibilities, instability or disengagement from mainstream services.
The postholder will provide person-centred mentoring and practical progression support to help participants build confidence, motivation, life skills and employability, with the aim of moving into employment, education, training, volunteering, job search, benefits support or another suitable programme.
Support will be delivered flexibly in community venues, outreach settings and safe local spaces across Dudley, using a relationship-based approach that builds trust and encourages sustained engagement.
Key Responsibilities
The postholder will:
- Provide tailored one-to-one mentoring and progression support to young people aged 18–21 who are NEET, economically inactive or unemployed.
- Engage young people through outreach, drop-ins, community networks, partner referrals, social media and informal methods.
- Complete initial assessments to identify barriers, strengths, goals, wellbeing needs and progression aims.
- Co-design individual action plans and review progress regularly.
- Deliver or support mentoring, employability support, life skills, wellbeing activities and progression planning.
- Support participants to improve confidence, resilience, communication, workplace readiness and independence.
- Provide practical employability support, including CV writing, interview preparation, job search, applications, digital communication and workplace behaviour.
- Deliver or facilitate group activities such as confidence workshops, life skills sessions, role-play, team building, problem-solving, wellbeing sessions and peer support.
- Help participants access local services, including housing, health, mental health, benefits, food support, training providers, volunteering opportunities and specialist services.
- Work in partnership with Jobcentre Plus, training providers, community organisations, housing services, youth organisations and employers.
- Maintain accurate participant records, attendance logs, action plans, progress reviews and outcome documentation.
- Collect evidence of participant progress and support achievement of programme targets.
- Identify participants at risk of disengagement and provide flexible re-engagement support.
- Contribute to monthly monitoring, reporting and performance reviews.
- Work in line with safeguarding, GDPR, equality and diversity, health and safety, and organisational policies.
About You
We are looking for someone who is passionate about supporting young people to take positive next steps. You will be confident working with young adults who may have experienced barriers to education, employment, wellbeing or mainstream support.
You should be able to build trusting, non-judgemental relationships and provide flexible, practical support in community settings. You will also need to be organised, reliable and able to manage a caseload while keeping accurate records.
Essential Skills and Experience
- Experience working with young people, young adults or disadvantaged groups.
- Experience delivering mentoring, employability, wellbeing, youth work, advice and guidance, community support or similar provision.
- Ability to engage young people who may be hard to reach or reluctant to access formal services.
- Understanding of barriers faced by NEET young people, including low confidence, poor wellbeing, unemployment, instability, social isolation or limited life skills.
- Ability to assess needs and create tailored action plans.
- Knowledge of education, employment, training, volunteering and support pathways.
- Strong communication and relationship-building skills.
- Ability to work with partner organisations and make appropriate referrals.
- Good understanding of safeguarding and professional boundaries.
- Ability to maintain accurate records, evidence participant progress and meet reporting requirements.
- Commitment to equality, diversity, inclusion and culturally sensitive practice.
Desirable Skills and Experience
- Knowledge of Dudley communities and local support networks.
- Experience working with Jobcentre Plus, DWP processes, Universal Credit or benefits-related support.
- Experience supporting care leavers, ex-offenders, young parents, young people with mental health barriers or those from underrepresented communities.
- Information, Advice and Guidance qualification or equivalent experience.
- Youth work, mentoring, coaching, teaching, counselling, employability or community development qualification.
Personal Qualities
- Approachable, patient and non-judgemental.
- Able to motivate and inspire young people.
- Confident working independently and in community settings.
- Resilient and able to manage challenging situations professionally.
- Organised and able to prioritise workload.
- Flexible and creative in engaging young people.
- Committed to helping young people progress into positive futures.
Safeguarding
This role involves working with young people and vulnerable adults. Appointment will be subject to appropriate safeguarding checks, references and an enhanced DBS check where required.
How to Apply
Please send your CV and a short covering note outlining your relevant experience and availability to:
[email protected]
Pay: £14.25 per hour
Work Location: In person
