At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people in overcoming college challenges and achieving their goals.
- Company: Join a dedicated team focused on creating safe and happy childhoods.
- Benefits: Enjoy paid leave, professional training, and discounts at 15,000 retailers.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while building your own skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people and a passion for supporting their success.
The predicted salary is between 23000 - 27000 £ per year.
Salary: £26,006.84 per annum
Location: Coatbridge and Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire
Contract / Hours: Fixed term contract until June 2027 (with possibility of extension) – Full Time, 37 hours per week
Closing date for applications: Midnight of 2nd July
Benefits:
- Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
- Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
- Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
- Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
- Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers
We are part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. Our work helps children and young people solve everyday challenges.
A bit about the role:
As a Student Mentor, you’ll play a crucial role in supporting young people who are finding college challenging. You’ll be part of a dynamic team working to help students stay engaged, build confidence and succeed in their studies. The role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact by guiding young people through difficulties, helping them navigate college expectations and supporting them to achieve their goals. It is ideal if you have recently gained a relevant qualification or have experience working with young people who face barriers in their lives.
About the Service:
Our STAY mentoring service provides intensive support to young people enrolled at college who are at the greatest risk of withdrawal. The service focuses on 16–26‑year‑olds who may be struggling to cope with college life and structures or who face barriers that prevent them from reaching their potential. The team works both on and off campus, empowering young people to adapt to college life and build pathways to success. By offering consistent, relational support throughout their time in further education, the service helps students overcome obstacles, nurture their potential and move toward a brighter future.
What you do could make a difference:
Some key responsibilities of the Student Mentor role are:
- Offering supportive guidance to students both on campus and out in the community, helping them feel grounded and connected.
- Supporting young people as they navigate key areas of their lives, such as housing, confidence, motivation, family or community challenges — and providing gentle advocacy when they need their voice heard.
- Helping students build practical budgeting skills and strengthen their financial confidence.
- Providing steady, tailored support to care experienced young people, young carers and estranged students so they can stay engaged and succeed in their courses.
- Delivering friendly, informative workshops for college staff and students that respond to their needs and experiences.
- Co‑creating a programme of cross‑campus events that inspire development, encourage progression and work with colleagues to boost students’ employability and future opportunities.
Let’s talk about you:
- SVQ 3 in Social Care, Guidance or a related area would be helpful — but we genuinely welcome strong, relevant experience just as much as formal qualifications.
- Experience supporting vulnerable young people, both one‑to‑one and in group settings, and helping them feel heard and understood.
- A good understanding of the challenges young people face — including the impact of unemployment and other barriers that can affect their confidence and progress.
- Experience working within the recruitment or employment sector, with insight into how to help young people move toward positive destinations.
- Knowledge of the issues faced by young people who are unemployed, and an awareness of how to support them to build motivation and move forward.
Diversity, equality and inclusion:
We work hard to create an inclusive environment. We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under‑represented within Action for Children.
Contact: Please submit an application via our careers page. For further questions contact Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13278.
Student Mentor in Coatbridge employer: Action for Children
At Action for Children, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. As a Student Mentor in Coatbridge and Cumbernauld, you will benefit from over 7 weeks of paid leave, flexible family packages, and excellent professional training opportunities, all while making a meaningful impact in the lives of young people. Join our dynamic team where your contributions help shape brighter futures for students facing challenges, and enjoy the unique advantage of working in a role that truly makes a difference in the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Mentor in Coatbridge
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Action for Children.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Action for Children!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Action for Children, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Action for Children or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Student Mentor in Coatbridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Action for Children:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Action for Children! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
