Youth Pathways Mentor 2 posts available – Temporary / Fixed Term Full Time NEW

The Vale Youth Service is a part of the Learning and Skills Directorate of the Vale of Glamorgan Council. We support young people aged 11-25 through informal and non-formal educational opportunities to support them in achieving their full potential. We provide safe environments for young people to enjoy themselves and meet others; feel valued; access information and support; and learn new skills.

Ambitious – Forward thinking, embracing new ways of working and investing in our future.

Open – Open to different ideas and being accountable for the decisions we take.

Together – Working together as a team that engages with our customers and partners, respects diversity and is committed to quality services.

Proud – Proud of the Vale of Glamorgan; proud to serve our communities and to be part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

About The Role

Pay Details: Youth Pathways Mentor NJC Single Status Collective Agreement Grade 6 SCP 14–19 £29,540 – £32,061 per annum.

Hours of Work / Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Work will include some evenings and occasional weekends in line with service need and to meet the needs of young people, schools and employer partners.

Main Place of Work: Office base at Civic Offices, Barry, with frequent peripatetic travel to schools, EOTAS provision, community venues and employer sites across the Vale of Glamorgan. You will be able to share transport, use Council’s pool cars and/or claim travel expenses.

Contract Type: Temporary 31.03.2028

The Vale Youth Service is recruiting two Youth Pathways Mentors to support the delivery of the Vale Youth Apprenticeship Pathway (VYAP), a new multi-stage school-to-apprenticeship model for learners aged 14–18. Working under the supervision of the Senior Youth Engagement Worker, Strive, you will hold a caseload of young people aged 14–16 accessing pre-16 junior apprenticeship, supported work placement and employability pathways. You will provide relationship-based youth mentoring to help young people prepare for, access and sustain safe, meaningful work placement experiences, and support them to plan positive progression into post-16 education, training or employment.

• Mentoring and 1:1 relationship-based work with young people
• Employability, work-readiness or progression-focused activity with young people
• Supporting young people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
• Working with schools, employers, Careers Wales and multi-agency partners to support safe, mentored work placements

Each post is 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year, on a temporary basis. There are 2 posts available.

You will be given the opportunity to build a meaningful career pathway with our training programme, including support to undertake relevant youth work, mentoring and employability qualifications in post. You will enjoy perks and benefits for being a part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council’s community and secure your future with our comprehensive pension plan. This service is managed by the Vale Youth Service and is situated in the Learning and Skills department.

The successful candidate will receive comprehensive CPD opportunities, development of new skills across youth work, mentoring, employability and progression practice, and will be part of a dynamic team that creates positive influences within the local community and makes a difference to young people’s lives. Candidates will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).

About You

You will need:

• Experience of face-to-face work with young people aged 11+ who may experience barriers to engagement.
• Experience of delivering 1:1 support to young people in a supportive, empowering and non-judgemental way.
• Experience of supporting young people with Additional Learning Needs, and of working with families or carers.
• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures, adolescent development, and multi-agency working.
• Knowledge of local progression routes into post-16 education, training or apprenticeships, and of Careers Wales or career development principles.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with children or young people, plus a good general education (minimum 5 GCSEs or equivalent).
• Safeguarding Group B training and careers or employability-related training (or willingness to undertake these on appointment).
• A full UK driving licence, and willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends and peripatetically across the Vale of Glamorgan.

Desirable qualifications include a Youth Work or related qualification, Level 3 Award in Education & Training (AET / PTLLS), trauma-informed or ACE-aware training, a First Aid qualification, mentoring or coaching skills, and Welsh language skills. These experiences and qualifications will help ensure you are well-prepared to engage with young people effectively, respond to disengagement or challenging behaviour, and contribute positively to their progression into work, training and education.

If you are unsure if your qualification or experience meets the requirements, please contact us to discuss before submitting your application.

Additional information

DBS Check Required: Enhanced Adult and Children with barring

For Further Information, contact: Hannah Brown hbrown@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk or Tracy Mills tmills@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk 07738312562

All Youth Service staff are expected to work within the Education Workforce Council’s Code of Professional Conduct and Practice. Successful applicants who are already registered as a Youth Worker or Youth Support Worker must maintain their registration. Applicants who are not registered will be supported to consider registration during their induction. Further information can be found at www.ewc.wales

Please see attached job description / person specification for further information.