At a Glance
- Tasks: Mentor young people through outdoor activities, building life skills and confidence.
- Company: Join Oarsome Chance, a dynamic organisation dedicated to youth development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, full-time hours, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Flexible working environment with a focus on teamwork and personal development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while enjoying the great outdoors.
- Qualifications: Experience with youth mentoring and outdoor activities is essential.
The predicted salary is between 27300 - 28119 £ per year.
Contract type: Full time / Permanent
Closing date: 19 Jul 2026 03:00 PM
Location: Fort Widley (with occasional travel to Gosport)
Salary: £27,300- £28,119
Base: Fort Widley (with occasional travel to Gosport based on business needs)
Hours: Full-time (8.30am-4.30pm)
Line Manager: Project Manager
Purpose of the Role
The student mentor outdoor activities lead will work directly with young people, helping them to build life skills, develop healthy relationships and make decisions that are right for them. The role combines mentoring and leading structured outdoor learning sessions and activities. The postholder is responsible for creating safe, engaging, and purposeful outdoor experiences that build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and positive behaviours, while also providing consistent support tailored to individual needs of young people in the provision.
Key Responsibilities
- To support the operational team in the delivery of sessions, with a dynamic and flexible approach.
- Lead sessions where appropriate ensuring correct staff ratios for all groups during the day.
- Work with students, parents, carers and commissioners to ensure good lines of communication throughout.
- Assist the wider Operational team in all safeguarding of students during onsite and offsite activities.
- Build trusting, positive relationships with young people, providing consistency and predictability.
- Role-model appropriate behaviours and support young people to unpick needs and concerns restoratively.
- Set up and run projects as per Oarsome Chance business framework.
- Work on a 2:1 ratio, with 1:1 sessions where required and in small groups to support young people with barriers such as low self-esteem, anxiety, behavioural challenges, and disengagement.
- Encourage young people and show enthusiasm for the subject indoors and outside in the wider environment.
- Support the implementation of behaviour plans, risk assessments and individual learner journeys.
- Maintain confidential information while being conscious of what needs to be shared and with whom in a timely manner, writing feedback and presenting case findings during regular review discussions and sharing insights in team briefings.
- Monitor wellbeing concerns and report any safeguarding issues promptly in line with organisational procedures.
- Work with other organisations, such as schools, community groups and police.
- Promote positive management of behaviour of young people; establish routines and boundaries to ensure the safety and good behaviour of the young people, supervising them at all times.
- Transport support where applicable, being confident and assertive in respect of the safety of young people during transport.
- Plan, deliver, and supervise a range of outdoor learning sessions (e.g. team building, bushcraft, nature-based activities, adventure sports, paddle sports, mountain biking etc).
- Ensure all activities are adapted to meet a range of abilities, needs, and behaviour profiles within the cohort.
- Carry out robust risk assessments before and during activities.
- Maintain equipment, ensure safe use, and follow health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
- Promote teamwork, confidence building, resilience, and problem-solving through structured outdoor experiences.
- Work collaboratively with staff members and project leads to support individual learning and engagement levels of young people in the program.
- Reinforce session expectations and support transitions between activities.
- Encourage participation and positive behaviour during all sessions, using restorative and trauma-informed approaches.
- Support recording of attendance, progress, and behaviour data as required.
Key Worker Responsibilities
- Provide one-to-one and small-group support for young people with SEND and social and emotional mental health needs.
- Able to manage case work for 2 to 3 young people on a daily basis.
- Build positive, trusting relationships that support engagement, wellbeing, and readiness to learn.
- Support young people to regulate emotions and manage behaviour in a safe, calm, and structured way.
- Implement individual support strategies in line with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), risk assessments, and agreed support plans where applicable.
- Promote independence, resilience, confidence, and positive social development.
- Work closely with project managers and colleagues to adapt sessions and activities to meet individual needs.
- Monitor, record, and share progress, achievements, attendance, and concerns with the wider team in line with organisational procedures.
Communication and Safeguarding Responsibilities
- Communicate effectively with parents/carers, social workers, and external agencies where needed.
- Provide regular feedback on progress, concerns, and achievements of young people.
- Uphold the organisation’s values, safeguarding procedures, and equality and diversity commitments.
- As a member of the Oarsome Chance team, the post-holder will have a responsibility in every circumstance to promote and safeguard the welfare of young people in the provision.
Person Specifications
- Experience working with young people facing behavioural, social, emotional or mental health needs.
- Strong mentoring or youth work background.
- Experience leading outdoor, sports, or adventure-based activities.
- Ability to engage hard-to-reach young people using patience, empathy, and resilience.
- Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and behaviour management.
- Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to carry out risk assessments and maintain safe practice.
- Flexibility is essential.
- Occasionally due to changes in the programme, staff must be able to think independently and respond to sudden changes to plans.
- Rigor to develop oneself within the role, a commitment to the role and being able to deliver the core hours.
- Outdoor leadership qualification (e.g., Level 2/3 Outdoor Instructor, Forest School Leader, NGB awards).
- Experience working in alternative provision, youth program, or SEMH settings.
- Knowledge of trauma-informed practice, restorative approaches, or therapeutic mentoring.
Desirable (but not essential as training will be given)
- Annual safeguarding for school staff KCSIE 2021.
- Conflict de-escalation in a school setting.
- Safeguarding and protecting children L1.
- Foundation and Safety, Rescue Training (FSRT).
- RYA (or equivalent) first aid training.
- Mental Health first aider.
- Willing to undertake further training and updates.
Safeguarding Statement
The organisation is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people. The successful candidate will be required to undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide satisfactory references. This role involves driving, hence having a valid UK driving licence is mandatory.
Student Mentor Outdoor Activities - Hampshire in Portsmouth employer: Institute for Outdoor Learning
Oarsome Chance is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and development of its staff while fostering a supportive and inclusive work culture. Located in the scenic Fort Widley, with opportunities for outdoor activities, employees benefit from a dynamic environment that encourages personal and professional growth through training and mentorship. The organisation is dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of young people, providing a rewarding experience for those passionate about mentoring and outdoor education.
Contact Details:
Institute for Outdoor Learning Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Mentor Outdoor Activities - Hampshire in Portsmouth
✨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 Institute for Outdoor Learning.
✨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 Institute for Outdoor Learning!
✨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 Institute for Outdoor Learning, 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 Institute for Outdoor Learning 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 Outdoor Activities - Hampshire in Portsmouth
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 Institute for Outdoor Learning:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Institute for Outdoor Learning! 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 Institute for Outdoor Learning
✨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.
