Youth Engagement Mentor

Do you want to make a difference to the lives of children and young people?

Contract Type: Permanent Location: Southampton, Basingstoke, New Forest, Winchester & Eastleigh Hours:
Flexible: Part-time – 15 hours to 37.50 hours per week Reports to: Keywork Team Leader Starting Salary: £26,227.50 - £28,392.00 pro rata Start Date: ASAP

We are looking for a passionate, creative, and resilient Youth Engagement Worker to provide one-to-one and small group support to young people who may be displaying challenging behaviour, are resistant to engagement, or have been involved in, or are at risk of, low-level offending. As a Youth Engagement Worker, you will build trusting relationships with young people, helping them to develop essential life skills, strengthen their social and emotional wellbeing, and work towards positive personal goals.

Using a flexible, person‑centred approach, you will engage young people who may find it difficult to access traditional support services, encouraging participation in education, training, employment, and positive community activities.

A key aspect of this role will involve working as part of our Alternative Provision, developing, planning, and delivering tailored educational and engagement programmes designed to support young people in re‑engaging with learning. This may include creating and delivering bespoke sessions within schools, as well as providing outreach support in young people’s homes or community settings where a more flexible approach is required.

You will adapt your delivery to meet individual needs, creating meaningful opportunities that build confidence, resilience, and readiness for education.

Qualifications -

• Level 3 qualification (or above) in Youth Work, Social Care, Education, Health & Social Care, or a related field.
• Relevant safeguarding training (or willingness to undertake training).
• Full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle insured for business use.

Experience -

• Experience of working with young people who face multiple barriers to engagement, including those displaying challenging behaviour or at risk of offending.
• Experience of planning and delivering one-to-one interventions and small group programmes that achieve positive outcomes.
• Experience of working within schools, community settings, or outreach environments.
• Experience of working collaboratively within a multi‑agency environment, including education, social care, and partner agencies.

Download the recruitment pack here and then the application form below. If you need any help with your application or have any questions, then contact us at  or  We are committed to safeguarding and all posts are subject to an Enhanced DBS Check. Youth Options strives to be a diverse and inclusive organisation for our staff and those we support. Should you need any adjustments, at either application or interview, please contact us.