Strive Youth Mentor

About Us

Are you passionate about supporting young people to thrive?

An exciting new opportunity to take a central role in The Strive Project’s mission to make lasting change and break the cycle of poor outcomes for the most vulnerable young people. The Strive Project is a new Initiative and the first of its kind in Oxfordshire County Council. Funded by the Office of Police Crime Commissioner, the Strive Project is a targeted, long‑term mentoring programme designed to prevent and reduce serious violence, exploitation and offending among vulnerable young people aged 11‑18.

We are seeking a passionate and motivated Youth Mentor to support this vital work.

As a Strive Youth Mentor, you will provide long‑term, trauma‑informed support to young people identified as at risk of serious violence, exploitation, and offending. You will work flexibly across Oxfordshire, offering consistency, built on a relationship of mutual respect and offer tailored interventions that promote resilience, wellbeing, and positive life choices.

As Strive Youth Mentor you will:

• Deliver one‑to‑one mentoring to young people referred through prevention panels and partner services.
• Build trusted relationships and provide consistent support over a sustained period.
• Collaborate with a range of key partners and stakeholders such as Early Help teams, Police, Health, Education, community partners, Youth Justice, and other social care teams to contribute to holistic support plans.
• Maintain accurate records and contribute to monitoring and evaluation processes.

• Have experience working with vulnerable young people in a mentoring, youth work, or support capacity.
• Understand the impact trauma, deprivation, and neurodiversity have on young people’s development.
• Are confident working collaboratively across services.
• Are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• Hold a relevant qualification in youth work, social care, or education (or equivalent experience).

• Culture of flexible working
• Technology to support agile working where role permits
• Up to 33 days holiday p.a plus bank holidays
• Option to "buy" additional holiday
• Employee Assistance Programme including access to health and wellbeing support
• Membership of the Local Government contributory pension scheme, with an employer's contribution of up to 19.9%
• Enhanced family friendly policies
• Local and national discounts for shopping and travel
• Great learning and development opportunities to support your ongoing development

At Oxfordshire County Council we are proud of our diverse workforce. Everyone is accepted for who they are, regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital status, race, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, or on maternity or family leave. We have a number of staff network groups which provide peer support, education and safe spaces for all.

As a Disability Confident employer, we guarantee an interview for disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the job. We also guarantee interviews to care leavers who have completed further education and who meet the essential criteria for the job. For those leaving care without any further education, we guarantee an interview for our apprenticeships. We are also committed to helping and supporting those transitioning from HM Armed Forces to civilian life and guarantee an interview for those demonstrating the essential criteria for the role, within three years of leaving the service.

Oxfordshire County Council are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and adults. We expect all employees, workers and volunteers to share this commitment. We will ensure that all our recruitment and selection practices reflect these commitments.

We are open to discussions about flexible working, which can include flexi‑time, part time working, job sharing, nine‑day fortnights and annualised hours, depending on the requirements of the role and the service.

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If you encounter any issues with the application system, please contact Harriet Preedy harri