Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of young people? Are you ready to inspire, guide, and empower the next generation to reach their full potential? If so, we invite you to join our dynamic team at West Ham United Foundation (WHUF) as a Youth Mentor.

This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the social and personal development of young people, fostering a supportive and encouraging environment for their growth. We are seeking a skilled and passionate Youth Mentor to work as part of a new innovative mentoring support programme for young people. The role will mentor young people aged 11-18 from across East London working closely in partnership GP surgeries via local Primary Care Networks (PCN).

Providing 1:1 mentoring services you will support a caseload of around 20 young people every 6 months. You will work closely with partner agencies, community sector organisations, local NHS, and GPs surgeries to recruit young people on to programme, delver goal-based mentoring sessions, and identify suitable progression routes or development opportunities that support young people to achieve health and wellbeing outcomes.

The PCN 1 project started in Stratford as a pilot mentoring scheme in November 2021. We are now developing this offer and scaling up into new areas across additional East London Boroughs. If you are ready to inspire, guide, and empower the youth of our community, we invite you to apply for this rewarding Youth Mentor position. Join us in shaping a brighter future for the next generation.

Responsibilities

• Build meaningful connections with young people from diverse communities to understand their unique needs, aspirations, and challenges.


• Provide one-on-one mentoring sessions to offer guidance, support, and encouragement in personal development.


• Provide a supportive and non-judgmental space for young people to express themselves, fostering an inclusive and empowering environment.


• Act as a positive role model, demonstrating resilience, integrity, and a commitment to continuous learning.


• Collaborate with the programme team to design and implement best practice mentoring activities that align with the needs and interests of the young people.


• Advocate for the needs and rights of young people, ensuring they have access to opportunities that facilitate their growth.


• Collaborate with GP surgeries, educational institutions, and community sector organisations to create a holistic support network for young people.


• Deliver mental wellbeing support for young people and manage a caseload, providing support at suitable times for the referral either face to face or virtually.


• Be prepared to address and de-escalate challenging situations, providing a listening ear and helping young people navigate through difficult times.


• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to ensure the safety and well-being of all participants.


• Liaise with WHUF project leads and external agencies to ensure young people are fully supported within their chosen pathways.


• Complete monitoring, evaluation and session recordings using internal systems, including contributing to the project monthly reports via appropriate systems.


• Ensure that all delivery, for which you are responsible, complies with health and safety and safeguarding requirements including the production of individual risk assessments.


• Attend all scheduled supervision, meetings, and training events.


• Undertake professional development by participating in staff development (CPD) and training activities.


• Any other duties as reasonably requested by the line manager / organisation.

Personal Specification

The ideal candidate will have skills and experience in the following areas:

Education/Qualifications/Experience:

• A minimum level 2 in Youth Work, JNC qualified applicable Mentoring and Safeguarding qualification or equivalent.


• Experience in 1-2-1 work/mentoring.


• Mental Health Awareness training.


• Demonstrate a good understanding of how to engage young people from diverse backgrounds.


• Experience of partnership/inter-agency working as part of a team around complex young people.


• Knowledge of statutory and community services across the relevant sectors.

*       Understanding of the issues and barriers impacting young people and their communities within the Foundation delivery area.

Skills & Abilities

*       An ability to engage and communicate positively with young people.

*       An applied understanding of safeguarding and health and safety in a youth work setting.

*       Good communication and interpersonal skills both internally and externally, which are culturally competent.

*       Strong organisational skills with the ability to prioritise and work within deadlines.

*       Motivated and enthusiastic about our work.

*       Works collaboratively with others and prepared to work flexibility outside office hours on occasion.

*       A commitment to supporting young people, and the principles of equality and diversity.

*       Self-motivated and the ability to work on own initiative.

*       Proven planning and organisation skills.

*       IT literate with particular emphasis on Microsoft and Google packages.

Values & Behaviours

• Integrity – being transparent, responsible, and trustworthy. Behaving in an honest and ethical manner, serving the community to the best of our ability.


• Inclusive - recognising and respecting everyone’s value. Providing an accessible and welcoming environment.


• Continuously improve - striving for excellence driving development through learning. Maximising opportunities to fulfil potential and be prepared to take risks.


• Collaboration - working together internally and externally. Recognising the benefits of a multi-organisational approach to our community and workforce.


• Inspiring - creating a culture where people prosper. Providing a safe and enjoyable environment supporting goals and aspirations.