Please note, we only accept applications through the form on our website. Please complete both the Application Form and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. These forms can be found at https://www.bfadventure.org/about-us/jobs/
You will also find full job descriptions for both roles there.
We have roles available at both Level 2 - a trainee role and Level 3 - for those who have demonstrable experience of working with young people in the outdoors.
Level 2 Youth Support Workers are given the training and experience to reach a Level 3 position within 6-12 months subject to their commitment and satisfactory performance.
Role Overview – Skills for Life Youth Support Worker/Instructor
The primary role of a BF Adventure Skills for Life Youth Support Worker/Instructor is to support children and young people on a journey of change, helping them develop personal and social skills through educational outdoor activities. These sessions are delivered through one-to-one support or small group work.
Instructors are passionate about the outdoors and recognise its value as a powerful learning environment. The role provides opportunities to draw on individual skills and experience, with a strong emphasis on ongoing personal and professional development.
Key Responsibilities
Level 3 Skills for Life Youth Support Worker/Instructors work in a key worker capacity, building long-term, positive relationships with young people. They collaborate closely with referral agencies and parents/carers to plan and deliver tailored provision that meets individual needs and supports holistic development.
Instructors are responsible for:
· Designing and delivering bespoke programmes aligned with the needs of individuals or groups
· Setting clear, achievable outcomes in partnership with young people and referrers
· Monitoring, evaluating, and recording progress using ‘I Can’ statements and online reporting tools - supporting children and young people to recognise and reflect on their personal development
· Continuously reviewing provision and adapting approaches as needed
· Working collaboratively with multi-agency partners
At the end of each programme, Instructors support young people in transitioning their progress into future settings.
Instructors are on the front line in identifying safeguarding concerns and must adhere to BF Adventure’s Safeguarding Children and Vulnerable Adults Policy and Procedures at all times.
They are accountable to the Skills for Life Coordinators and are required to actively engage in supervision and appraisal processes.
Active participation in Skills for Life team meetings is essential to continuously enhance and develop the provision offered by BF Adventure.
Key Tasks
- Work in line with BF Adventure’s Journey of Change, supporting children, young people, families and vulnerable adults to make positive life changes.
- Identify the needs of allocated young people in collaboration with Skills for Life Coordinators, referral agencies and the children and young people themselves.
- Build and maintain positive, trusting relationships, enabling children and young people to define their goals, Journey of Change and achievable outcomes.
- Plan, deliver and develop long-term, tailored provision to support individuals and groups in line with identified needs.
- Monitor, evaluate and record progress against agreed outcomes using reporting systems and feedback tools.
- Provide examples of practice to Coordinators, marketing staff and senior managers to support grant reporting, bid writing, the Social Impact Report and promotional materials.
- Attend multi-agency meetings to develop a holistic understanding of each young person’s circumstances, inform provision and support the transfer of learning into other settings.
- Safeguard the physical and mental wellbeing of service users, identifying and reporting concerns in line with BF Adventure’s Safeguarding Policy.
- Communicate effectively with the wider delivery team, including mentoring and supporting Level 2 staff and volunteers.
- Engage in reflective practice to enhance professional development, contributing to team debriefs and participating in relevant training.
- Attend regular supervision sessions, annual appraisals and team meetings, demonstrating a commitment to continuous improvement.
- Promote and uphold BF Adventure’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion framework, recognising and celebrating diversity through Anti-Oppressive Practice.
- Comply with all Health and Safety procedures at all times.
- Contribute to the safe and effective delivery of activities on and off-site, including dynamic risk assessments, Area of Special Responsibilities (ASR) duties and incident reporting
Person Specification Level 3
Essential Experience and Knowledge Level 3
- Minimum of 3 years’ relevant experience working with young people across a range of settings, including those who may present challenging behaviour.
- Proven ability to build positive, professional relationships and act as a strong role model for young people.
- Knowledge and understanding of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their impact on development, with the ability to adapt learning environments to meet these needs.
- Demonstrable experience of achieving positive outcomes when working with young people.
- Understanding of how outdoor activities and informal learning can support the development of children and young people.
- Knowledge and experience of multi-agency working, including effective information sharing.
- Commitment to personal and professional development, including reflective practice and openness to feedback.
- Experience of planning and delivering projects within set timescales.
- Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively.
Essential Skills and Qualifications Level 3
- Passion for and practical experience in outdoor adventurous activities.
- Competent in the use of ICT in a professional setting.
- Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle for work-related travel when required.
Desirable Skills and Qualifications Level 3
- Experience of working with children and young people with disabilities and/or additional learning needs.
- Holder of at least one National Governing Body (NGB) qualification in the outdoor sector.
- Relevant first aid qualification.
- Relevant Youth Work and/or Teaching qualification (e.g. JNC Youth and Community Work, Level 2/3 Youth Work, Sports Coaching, Forest School Level 3, Counselling, or Outdoor Instructor qualifications).
- Evidence of relevant training (e.g. TISUK, Signs of Safety, Restrictive Physical Intervention, or managing behaviours that challenge).
Person Specification Level 2
Essential Experience and knowledge Level 2
- Some relevant experience in working with young people
- Experience of building relationships with young people and of positive role modelling in a volunteer or professional capacity.
- Experience of achieving positive outcomes when working with young people and the ability to demonstrate this achievement
- Proven experience of personal development and learning, including the capacity to reflect on own practice and actively encouraging feedback
Desirable Experience and Knowledge Level 2
- Knowledge of Adverse Childhood Experiences and their potential to impact on children and young people’s development; knowledge of how to adapt learning environments to meet these developmental needs
- Knowledge and understanding of the importance of multi-agency working, information sharing and demonstrable experience of practice.
- Knowledge of how outdoor activities and informal learning can be used as a tool to support children and young people
- Experience working with young people in outdoor learning settings
Essential Skills and Qualifications Level 2
· Passion for outdoor adventurous activities
· Competent to use ICT in the workplace
· Full driving licence and the use of a personal vehicle with business insurance to support delivery when required
Desirable Skills and Qualifications Level 2
- Experience of working with children and young people who present behaviour that challenges
- Experience of working with children and young people with disabilities and additional learning needs
- The holder of at least one NGB qualification in the outdoor sector
- Relevant first aid qualification
- Relevant Youth Work and/or Teaching Qualification, eg Level 2/3 in Youth Work, Sports Coaching, Outdoor Instructor qualifications, Trauma Informed Practitioner
Personal Qualities
· Commitment to BF Adventure’s values, mission and objectives.
· Dedication to maintaining high standards and contributing to the continuous improvement of provision.
· Ability to build and sustain positive working relationships with colleagues, partners, volunteers and service users.
· Strong awareness of, and responsiveness to, the needs of children, young people and volunteers.
· Confidence to appropriately and professionally challenge discrimination and inequality.
· Ability to work effectively under pressure, prioritising workload within a team environment.
· Flexible and adaptable approach to working hours in line with service needs.
· Commitment to environmental responsibility, including reducing waste, conserving energy and caring for wildlife and natural surroundings.
Due to the varied and dynamic nature of BF Adventure’s operations, you may be required to undertake additional duties, responsibilities and tasks, appropriate to your level of experience, training and capability, to support the safe and effective running of activities.
BF Adventure is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. This post will require an Enhanced DBS check.
What next?
· Please complete the Application Form and the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form. These forms can be found on our website. You can either use the online version or the Word format
· If you choose the Word version please save the Application Form in the following format:
Your name_S4Lapplication_date
· Please email the form to [email protected] with the email subject Skills for Life Instructor Application
The closing date for applications is midnight on 27/07/2026
Interviews are scheduled to take place on 04/08/2026 although this is subject to change. Employment will commence in September 2026
Please do not hesitate to phone us on 01326 340912 if you have any questions.
Many thanks for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!
Pay: £13.74 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
