At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead an 8-week wellbeing programme for secondary school students, fostering confidence and coping strategies.
- Company: Join Action East Devon, a community charity dedicated to supporting young people and families.
- Benefits: Earn £17 per hour, enjoy remote work flexibility, and gain valuable experience in youth support.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while developing your facilitation skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in youth work and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 17 - 17 £ per hour.
Hours: 8 hours per week during term-time (working with 2 schools concurrently each term).
Pay: £17 per hour
Contract Type: Temporary fixed-term, September 2026 to the end of the Spring Term 2027. This is a new, time-limited post reflecting confirmed funding for one academic year.
Working Pattern: One after-school session per school per week (approx. 1 hour 30 minutes, between the hours of 3-5pm depending on school hours). Autumn term delivery on Mondays and Tuesdays or Thursdays tbc, Spring term tbc. Delivery across 2 schools in the Autumn Term, transitioning to 2 different schools in the Spring Term.
Annual Leave: Paid leave at 12.07% based on hours and length of contract.
Location: Remote working (from home) with in-person session delivery in Honiton, Ottery St. Mary, Sidmouth and Axminster.
Reporting to: Charity Manager & Safeguarding Lead
Interview date: Thursday 13th & Tuesday 25th August
Start date: 1st September 2026
Action East Devon (AED) is a community-based charity serving young people and families across the East Devon area. Our work spans early intervention, youth engagement, mental health and wellbeing support. AED will run a free school-based wellbeing programme for Year 7 and/or 8 pupils experiencing emotional and mental health difficulties in academic year 2026/27.
The Programme Facilitator will lead the planning and delivery of an 8-week wellbeing peer support programme within secondary schools, working alongside a Co-Facilitator, across two schools per term (4 schools across the academic year). The role calls on strong planning group facilitation skills to help young people build confidence and lifelong coping strategies, and requires close working with each school to ensure the programme is well embedded and safely delivered.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Programme Planning & Delivery: Meet with each school's Wellbeing Lead/SENCo prior to the programme starting to discuss and understand the referred cohort from the school's perspective. Using the Thriving in Secondary School Programme Plan developed by AED, plan individual sessions and activities, expanding upon proposed themes, and develop age-appropriate content, adapt session plans as the programme progresses to reflect individual and group needs. Lead and deliver weekly after-school sessions, ensuring a safe and comfortable environment conducive to positive outcomes for all group members. Organise refreshments for each session. Organise practical session arrangements, including room setup, materials, food and meals.
- Team & Co-Facilitator Coordination: Brief the Co-Facilitator before each session and debrief afterwards, ensuring clarity on roles and expectations and the opportunity to raise any concerns or celebrations. Agree contingency arrangements with the Co-Facilitator for managing behavioural or safeguarding concerns during sessions.
- School Liaison: Act as the main point of contact for each school regarding programme delivery, timings, room access and any safeguarding updates. Work closely with individual school Safeguarding Leads.
- Administration & Evaluation: Maintain session notes and attendance records. Support young people to complete baseline and end-point wellbeing assessments. Analyse survey and outcome data at the end of each term's delivery for each school. Contribute to an end-of-year lessons-learnt report to inform future delivery, school partnerships and funding applications.
- Risk, Consent & Budget: Produce risk assessments for activities and sessions, and obtain relevant parental/school consent as required. Manage the small programme/refreshments budget for allocated schools.
- General: Attend team meetings, supervision, appraisal and 1:1 meetings with the Manager as required. Attend staff training days and complete necessary training for the role. Carry out any other duties that might reasonably be required of this post.
- Safeguarding: Ensure all relevant AED policies and procedures (including Safeguarding, Confidentiality, Whistleblowing, and Health and Safety) are followed during all programme activities. Work closely with the AED Designated Safeguarding Lead and follow procedures and policies as required. Attend relevant safeguarding training as required.
Personal Specification
- Qualifications: Child Protection training (Group 2 or above) - Essential. Detailed understanding of youth work principles - Essential. Qualification in Youth & Community Work, Health, Education, Social Work or related field (NVQ Level 3 or equivalent) - Desired.
- Experience: Experience facilitating group work with young people - Essential. Understanding of adolescent mental health and wellbeing support tools - Essential. Experience planning a flexible, bespoke programme of support based on individual and group needs - Essential. Experience liaising with schools or other educational settings - Desired.
- Skills & Attributes: Confident and skilled facilitator - Essential. Creative and energetic approach to working with young people - Essential. Strong communication and relationship-building skills, including with school staff - Essential. An understanding of Action East Devon and Headlight - Essential. Ability to work flexible hours - Essential. Clean driving licence and access to own vehicle - Essential.
- Other: Enhanced DBS clearance (or willingness to obtain) - Essential.
Programme Facilitator in Ottery St Mary employer: Action East Devon
Action East Devon (AED) is an exceptional employer dedicated to supporting young people and families in the East Devon area. With a strong focus on employee growth, AED fosters a collaborative work culture that values creativity and innovation, providing opportunities for professional development through training and hands-on experience. Working remotely with in-person sessions allows for flexibility while making a meaningful impact in the community, making this role both rewarding and fulfilling.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Programme Facilitator in Ottery St Mary
✨Get Involved in Local Volunteering
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When you spot a temporary role at Action East Devon that piques your interest, go ahead and apply through their website! Tailor your message to highlight how your skills align with their mission – it shows you care about the cause, which is key in this field.
We think you need these skills to ace Programme Facilitator in Ottery St Mary
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Impact:In the world of nonprofits, it's all about the passion and commitment to making a difference. Make sure your cover letter speaks genuinely about why you're excited about this role at Action East Devon. Share any experiences you've had with social impact projects or volunteering — it shows you live and breathe the cause!
Highlight Relevant Experience and Skills:For a temporary position in the nonprofit sector, focus on showcasing any specific skills or experience related to project management, community engagement, or fundraising. List any relevant work or volunteer roles on your CV, and consider including quantifiable achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous positions.
References from the Sector:Including references from previous roles in the nonprofit world can really bolster your application. If you've worked on similar social-impact projects before, ask those colleagues or supervisors if they'd be willing to vouch for your skills. This adds credibility and shows you're trusted in the sector, which can be a big plus for Action East Devon.
Be Ready for a Quick Turnaround:Since this role is temporary, let your interest shine through in your application! Mention in your cover letter your availability to start immediately or at short notice. It shows you're keen and ready to dive right into the exciting work at Action East Devon!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action East Devon
✨Show Your Passion for the Cause
When interviewing for a role in the non-profit sector, especially for a temporary position, it's crucial to convey your genuine passion for social impact. Discuss why the mission of Action East Devon resonates with you and share personal experiences that reflect your commitment to similar causes.
✨Demonstrate Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Non-profit projects often require quick pivots and resourcefulness. Be ready to share examples from your past where you've adapted to changing circumstances or tackled unexpected challenges. This will show your potential as a valuable, nimble team member for the Programme Facilitator position.
✨Know Your Community Tools
Familiarise yourself with any tools or platforms that are widely used in the non-profit sector like project management software or stakeholder engagement tools. Show your readiness to hit the ground running in your temporary role by discussing any experience you have with these or similar platforms.
✨Be Prepared for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to field scenario-based questions during your interview to assess your problem-solving skills in real-world situations. Think about how you would handle challenges typical of the non-profit sector, such as engaging with diverse stakeholders or managing project timelines effectively.
