Targeted Youth Mentor in Blackburn

Monday – Friday, 9am to 5pm (flexible hours and working location is an option for the right candidate, if appropriate to the role). You will be expected to work a minimum of 37.5 hours per week, excluding lunch breaks. The role may include evening and weekend hours.

Location: Blackburn Rovers Football Club, Ewood Park, Blackburn, BB2 4JF.

Responsible To: Head of Wellbeing and Targeted Services

Contractual Status: Full Time – permanent

Closing Date: Friday 29th May 2026 @ 12pm (noon)

Overall Purpose of the Job: Blackburn Rovers Community Trust (BRCT) is the award‑winning independent charitable arm of founding member of the EFL and the Premier League – Blackburn Rovers FC. Using the brand of Blackburn Rovers FC and the power of football and sport for positive social change, we are seeking to appoint a Targeted Youth Mentor. The Youth Mentor will support young people (under the age of 18) vulnerable to becoming involved with crime and anti‑social behaviour. Through the delivery of sessions, workshops and targeted 1‑2‑1 interventions, this crucial role will work in partnership with local police and improve engagement in Blackburn with Darwen (and the surrounding areas where applicable).

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work alongside partners such as local secondary schools, Lancashire Constabulary, Blackburn with Darwen Youth Offending Team and others to identify and work with young people involved in, or at risk of involvement in offending behaviour.
• Build trusted relationships with young people to promote personal development, wellbeing gains and reduce their experience of offending and antisocial behaviour.
• Maintain/strengthen existing or new professional relationships with stakeholders, developing strong referral pathways.
• Ensure all necessary participant details are recorded and used to inform risk management.
• Mentor to provide wrap around support, including signposting to other agencies/services where required.
• Plan and deliver a range of activities to engage clients and support a positive change in behaviour.
• Share best practice/developments with stakeholders when required to shape and benefit programme delivery.
• Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of the project and compile evidence on the progress of individuals to report back to key funders.
• Provide progress reports where relevant (e.g. internally to senior management and/or Board and externally to funders).
• Support the delivery of other projects and work with the Trust’s Management Team to identify other opportunities and projects where duties may overlap.
• Be a flexible member of the Blackburn Rovers Community Trust team and when requested, assist in the delivery of other projects and activities including evenings and weekends.

General:

• To always be approachable and represent Blackburn Rovers Community Trust in a professional manner regarding dress, presentation, personal hygiene, attitude, conduct and professionalism.
• To be able to work flexible and unsociable hours where the role of the job requires including some evenings, weekends and overnight stays.
• To contribute to a positive working and learning environment.

Person Specification:

• Experience of working in partnership with other departments and agencies.
• Mentoring/teaching/youth work qualification.
• A valid UK driving licence.
• A willingness to complete training.
• Experience of working with hard‑to‑reach young people.
• Experience of planning engaging activities, e.g. workshops.
• Experience of working effectively as part of a team and working with minimal supervision.
• Experience of dealing with difficult situations or conflict.
• Experience of maintaining strict confidentiality using tact and diplomacy where appropriate.
• Experience of writing reports.
• Extensive knowledge on safeguarding and how to ensure the safety of a young person on programme as well as an understanding of risks they may face.
• Experience of using online monitoring and evaluation tools to manage projects/programmes.
• Proven track record of effectively implementing new projects.
• An understanding of Blackburn with Darwen and the issues facing young people in the surrounding geographical areas.
• Knowledge of local referral agencies, and the ability to engage them in the programme.
• An awareness and understanding of wider issues such as exploitation, gangs, domestic violence, community violence.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Actively demonstrates the promotion of equality and valuing of diversity and helps others to do so.
• Shows initiative, personal resilience and motivation to deliver a quality service.
• Upholds legislation, regulations and policy, acting with integrity and is willing to challenge those who may not.
• Ability to effectively plan and prioritise workload.
• Strong IT skills including Microsoft Office and reporting systems.

Values: The successful candidate’s values must align with those of Blackburn Rovers Community Trust.