Job Introduction
Job Title: SfYP Project Officer
Starting Salary: £34,434 progressing to £37,280 per annum - Pay award pending
Hours: 37.0
Location: Base location Stevenage (Ability to travel daily between various locations in Hertfordshire when required)
Contract Type: Fixed Term to 31st March 2028
Directorate: Children's Services
About the team
Hertfordshire County Council Services for Young People (HCC SfYP) is recruiting a Project Officer to help shape and deliver an innovative new life and work mentoring programme for Care Leavers aged 18–25 called Step Forward.
This is a unique opportunity to build a flexible mentoring style offer that connects young people with supportive adults, including professionals from a range of backgrounds and different occupations —helping them grow in confidence, navigate life after care, and explore pathways into employment, education, and training.
If you’re someone who thrives on building relationships, coordinating meaningful programmes, and helping young people reach their potential, we’d love to hear from you.
About the role
You will play a central role in developing and delivering a mentoring style programme that is:
-
Flexible – shaped around what each young person needs, from one-off advice and support to longer-term mentoring
-
Person-centred – built around individual goals, interests, and aspirations
-
Outcome-focused – supporting confidence, independence, and progression into employment
Working closely with Leaving Care Personal Advisers, Social Workers, others in SfYP and partners, you’ll help match Care Leavers with volunteer mentors offering life and independence support and valuable insight into career pathways and the world of work.
We’re looking for someone who ideally is:
-
Experienced in working with Care Leavers
-
Highly organised, proactive, and able to manage a dynamic programme
-
A strong communicator who can build trust and positive relationships quickly
-
Passionate about improving outcomes for Care Leavers
-
Interested in mentoring, coaching and progression into employment
You may also bring:
-
Understanding of barriers to employment for Care Leavers
-
Experience working with employers, training providers, or community organisations
About you
Essential:
-
Legal rights to work in the UK.
-
Driving licence and access to a vehicle.
-
Excellent organisation and administrative skills with good attention to detail.
-
Interpersonal skills.
-
Able to understand the barriers that Care Leavers face.
-
Ability to build rapport with Care Leavers.
-
Ability to build relationships with people from a broad variety of occupations
-
Good ICT skills
Additional Information
-
Enhanced DBS check required
-
Some flexible/evening working may be required
-
Full training and support will be provided
We welcome applications from candidates who currently reside in the UK with established proof of right to work documentation. We are not able to offer sponsorship at this time for this role.
This job role is Level 9. Please locate the job profile here:
Job profiles: Project & programme
To hear more about this opportunity please contact Tim Edwards ([email protected])
Interview Date: Monday 20th July 2026
Benefits of working for us
How to apply
As part of your application, please upload your most recent CV. Ensure your CV is up to date with your employment history (including any employment gaps), and including any training/qualifications. We encourage you to include examples of where you have demonstrated the requirements/criteria in the advert / job profile to allow the panel to fully recognise your skills and abilities. You will have the opportunity to include a short covering paragraph within your application to give us a little more information about your skills, knowledge, and experiences.
Secondment
This role is open to secondments for eligible employees who work for HCC. If you wish to apply on a secondment basis, you must have your line manager’s approval before submitting your application. You will be asked to confirm this within your application form. If you are not eligible for a secondment (e.g., you are currently on a fixed‑term contract that would end before this positions ends) or you indicate that your manager cannot support a secondment, your application will be considered on a fixed‑term contract basis instead.
Additional information
We are changing
Hertfordshire County Council is undergoing Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). If you are employed by Hertfordshire County on 1 April 2028, it is expected that most roles will transfer to the newly-created unitary councils on existing terms and conditions under TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings – Protection of Employment) principles.
LGR is one of the biggest changes we will face in a generation. It will reshape how we work and how services are organised and gives us a real opportunity to build something better. To find out more, visit https://www.hertfordshire-lgr.co.uk/
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and guarantee an interview to anyone disclosing a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
Safeguarding
This role has been identified as requiring a Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.
Driving required
You’ll need to have the ability to drive and/or travel around Hertfordshire, either using your own mode of transport or a company car to travel to other locations.
English Fluency
The ability to converse at ease with members of the public and provide advice in accurate spoken English is essential for the post (for those whose language is a signed language the provision of a sign language interpreter who speaks English to the necessary standard of fluency will be required). Further information about the legal requirement can be found here.
