At a Glance
- Tasks: Support young people and create an inclusive College community through engaging activities.
- Company: Join Kingston College, a leading provider of post-16 education in London.
- Benefits: Generous annual leave, excellent pension scheme, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and community impact.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in students' lives while fostering a positive environment.
- Qualifications: Level 3 qualification in youth work or related field and experience with young people.
The predicted salary is between 22950 - 28050 £ per year.
Are you passionate about supporting young people and creating a positive, inclusive College community?
Kingston College is looking for an experienced youth work professional to join our Student Services team as a Student Community Officer.
This is a varied, front-line role where you'll build positive relationships with students, support those who may be considered ‘at risk' or ‘hard to reach', and help create an engaging, safe and welcoming environment across the College.
Working closely with Curriculum, Student Services and Security teams, you'll maintain a visible and approachable presence across the College, engaging with students and signposting them to enrichment activities and appropriate support.
You'll lead and develop a programme of enrichment activities designed to increase student participation and strengthen the College community.
You'll recruit, coordinate and monitor engagement, identify opportunities to improve attendance and encourage students to get involved in activities and clubs.
A key part of the role will be providing early intervention and short-term one-to-one support to students who may be at risk of disengaging from education.
You'll also design and deliver targeted workshops covering areas such as conflict resolution, bullying and respect.
You'll work closely with internal teams and external partners to support safeguarding and student wellbeing, responding appropriately to challenging situations and using de-escalation, restorative and conflict-resolution approaches where necessary.
To be successful in this role, you'll hold a Level 3 qualification or above in a relevant discipline, such as youth work, youth justice or social care, and have experience of working with young people in a school, College, youth or community setting.
You'll have experience of outreach, detached youth work or similar, with a good understanding of the issues that can affect a young person's engagement, attendance and behaviour in education.
You'll also be able to lead on developing and adapting an Enrichment programme to meet student need and maintain attendance.
You'll have a strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection, including contextual safeguarding, and experience of managing challenging behaviour using approaches such as de-escalation, negotiation and conflict resolution.
An excellent communicator, you'll be able to build positive relationships with young people while maintaining professional boundaries, work effectively with colleagues and external agencies, and confidently maintain accurate student records and written reports.
This role will be based at our Creative Industries Centre.
Closing date for the return of completed applications is 25th November 2026 The benefits package includes generous annual leave of 27 days plus up to 8 additional days over Christmas/New Year as well as an additional 5 days Wellbeing leave to enhance employees' physical and mental health.
There is an excellent pension scheme that receives a significant financial contribution from the employer (Teachers Pensions or Local Government Pension Scheme), subsidised sports facilities and professional development and training plus a salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme.
The benefits package will be pro-rated for part time staff.
South Thames Colleges Group is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
As outlined in the Public Sector Equality Duty of the Equality Act 2010, we are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.
As part of our due diligence checks on prospective employees, successful candidates will be subject to an enhanced DBS check, satisfactory references, an online search and proof of eligibility to work in the UK.
The South Thames Colleges Group is made up of Carshalton College, Kingston College, Merton College and South Thames College, which merged on 1 August 2017.
South Thames Colleges Group is one of London's largest providers of post-16 education and training and is an ongoing and significant contributor to its local communities.
We aim to put students' success at the heart of everything we do.
We are looking for hard-working and collaborative people who can join our team and help challenge our students to progress and achieve.
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Student Community Officer employer: Kingston College
Kingston College is an exceptional employer that prioritises the professional development of its staff, offering a collaborative work culture where innovation in teaching is encouraged. As a Barbering Program Lead, you will have the opportunity to shape the curriculum and engage with industry professionals, all while being part of a supportive community dedicated to enhancing student success and satisfaction.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Community Officer
✨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 Kingston College.
✨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 Kingston College!
✨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 Kingston College, 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 Kingston College 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 Community Officer
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 Kingston College:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Kingston College! 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 Kingston College
✨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.
