Youth and Engagement Worker at Develop Outdoors CIC in Brighton

Develop Outdoors CIC seeks a freelance Youth and Engagement Worker for boys’ and girls’ groups in East Brighton. Work alongside another Tutor, delivering active, creative learning for vulnerable young people with challenging behaviour. Youth work experience, resilience and strong boundary-setting skills are essential. £22/hour, up to 4 term-time days weekly, 9am-3pm.

Deadline: 17 November 2026.

Job description and person specification

Freelance role across our boys and girls Wellbeing and Engagement groups

Role details

• Location: Brighton, across East Brighton areas. (East Brighton & Woodingdean)
• Contract: freelance and self-employed, term time until Summer 2027.
• Days: up to four days per week, subject to referrals and programme needs.
• Pay: £22 per hour. Six paid hours per working day.
• Hours: 9am-3pm. Direct delivery to students is 9.30am-2.30pm; the remaining hour is for shared planning, preparation, reports and school communication.
• Start: as soon as possible, subject to satisfactory references and recruitment checks.

About Develop Outdoors

Develop Outdoors CIC provides practical, inclusive and relationship-based learning for children and young people who benefit from an alternative to mainstream classroom education. Our programmes support engagement, wellbeing, personal development and positive future pathways.

Purpose of the role

Working alongside another Tutor, you will co-deliver learning across our boys and girls ‘Level Up!’ engagement groups. You will help young people build confidence, develop positive relationships and take part in purposeful learning through active, practical and creative experiences.

The groups include vulnerable young people with high levels of need, including SEND and social, emotional and mental health needs. Behaviour can be challenging, and engagement can change quickly. The role requires resilience, strong behaviour support skills and the confidence to maintain boundaries while understanding and responding to individual needs.

Learning and engagement

• Collaborate with the Lead Tutor to plan purposeful sessions, share ideas and prepare appropriate resources.
• Co-deliver active and physical learning, practical projects, teamwork, life skills, PSHE and wellbeing activities.
• Use young people’s interests and strengths to build motivation, participation and a sense of achievement.
• Adapt the pace, activities and approach in response to changing needs, while maintaining clear expectations.
• Embed everyday literacy, numeracy and communication skills naturally within activities; support accreditation evidence where applicable.

Behaviour support and relationships

• Establish consistent routines, reinforce boundaries and follow through on agreed expectations fairly and calmly.
• Use de-escalation and relational approaches to support regulation and respond safely to challenging behaviour.
• Build positive role model relationships, encourage respectful peer interaction and maintain professional boundaries.
• Work consistently with the other Tutor and seek support promptly when behaviour, safety or safeguarding concerns arise.

Reporting communication and safeguarding

• Complete accurate attendance records, session reports, and incident records within agreed timescales.
• Collaborate on reporting and communicate professionally with schools and the Develop Outdoors team through agreed routes.
• Follow safeguarding, confidentiality, data protection, behaviour and health and safety procedures; report concerns promptly.
• Contribute to safe, risk-assessed activities and agreed community-based learning, following organisational procedures.
• Take part in required induction, safeguarding training and relevant team discussions.

Essential experience and skills

• A background in youth work, with experience engaging vulnerable young people and those who have disengaged from education.
• Experience supporting young people with challenging behaviour and an understanding of SEND and social, emotional and mental health needs.
• Strong behaviour support and de-escalation skills, with the confidence to reinforce boundaries and expectations consistently.
• The ability to build trust, maintain professional boundaries and act as a positive role model.
• The ability to plan and deliver active, practical and creative learning, and adapt calmly in the moment.
• Strong teamwork, organisation, written reporting and professional communication skills.
• A clear understanding of safeguarding responsibilities and willingness to complete required training and checks.

Personal qualities: We are looking for someone resilient, patient and reliable who stays calm under pressure and enjoys the challenge of finding ways to engage young people. You will bring warmth, humour and energy, enjoy active and physical learning, and balance flexibility with consistent expectations. You will reflect on your practice, accept feedback and work collaboratively with another Tutor.

Desirable experience and qualifications

• A relevant qualification in youth work, education, mentoring, coaching or a related field.
• Experience in alternative provision or small-group engagement programmes.
• Experience supporting practical accreditation, learning portfolios or independent travel skills.

Freelance arrangements and recruitment

This is a freelance, self-employed role. £22 per hour. Six paid hours per working day. Term time only. Freelance post.

Days: up to four days per week, subject to referrals and programme needs. Pay: £22 per hour. Six paid hours per working day. Hours: 9am-3pm. Direct delivery to students is 9.30am-2.30pm; the remaining hour is for shared planning, preparation, reports and school communication.

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