Young 's Life Skills Mentor

Location: Somerset – Countywide
Hours: Full-time
Contract: Permanent
Working arrangements: Community-based / in person

At Intuitive Thinking Skills, we believe every person has strengths, skills and potential, and that past experiences do not have to define their future.

We are a leading provider of strengths-based, lived experience and skills programmes, working alongside people across young people’s services, drug and alcohol treatment, criminal justice, mental health and employability.

Our approach is practical, engaging and person-centred. We don’t focus on what is “wrong” with someone. We help people recognise what they already have, develop new skills and build the confidence to make positive choices about their future.

We are looking for an energetic, enthusiastic and engaging Young People’s Life Skills Mentor to work with young people across Somerset.

This is a relationship-led role. You will work individually and in small groups with young people who may have disengaged from education, need support getting back into a routine, are transitioning into a new environment, or are preparing for their next steps into college, apprenticeships, training or employment.

You will get to know each young person, understand what matters to them and develop a person-centred learning and development plan that builds on their individual strengths, interests and aspirations.

Your role isn’t to tell young people what their future should look like. It is to help them develop the skills, confidence and independence to start shaping it for themselves.

You will:

• Build positive, trusting and appropriate relationships with young people, creating an environment where they feel listened to, respected and encouraged.
• Develop individual, person-centred learning and development plans based on each young person’s strengths, needs and aspirations.
• Deliver engaging one-to-one and group-based life skills sessions.
• Support young people to develop confidence, self-esteem, motivation, resilience and independence.
• Help young people recognise and challenge attitudes or behaviours that may be holding them back.
• Support young people experiencing anxiety or a lack of confidence when entering new environments or taking their next steps.
• Help young people establish positive routines and develop practical skills for everyday life.
• Encourage young people to identify their own goals and make informed decisions about their future.
• Connect young people with wider opportunities and activities including outdoor pursuits, horticulture, agriculture, arts and crafts and other community-based activities.
• Support progression towards education, college, apprenticeships, training and employment where appropriate.
• Work creatively to maintain engagement, particularly with young people who may previously have struggled within more traditional learning environments.
• Work closely with schools, colleges, local services, community organisations and other professionals involved in supporting the young person.
• Maintain accurate records of engagement, progress and outcomes.
• Work within ITS safeguarding, health and safety, information governance and quality requirements.

We are looking for someone who can connect with young people and help them see their strengths and possibilities.

You will be someone who:

• Can build genuine, professional and trusting relationships with young people.
• Has experience of supporting, mentoring, coaching or working alongside young people.
• Understands that every young person is different and can adapt their approach accordingly.
• Is positive, encouraging and able to motivate people without judging or lecturing them.
• Can think creatively about how to engage someone who may not respond well to…