At a Glance
- Tasks: Mentor young people, helping them access work placements and plan for their future.
- Company: Vale Youth Service, part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council, dedicated to youth development.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, comprehensive training, pension plan, and career growth opportunities.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team and enjoy flexible working across various community venues.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building your own career.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people, strong communication skills, and a passion for mentoring.
The predicted salary is between 29540 - 32061 ÂŁ per year.
About Us
The Vale Youth Service is a part of the Learning and Skills Directorate of the Vale of Glamorgan Council. We support young people aged 11‑25 through informal and non‑formal educational opportunities to help them achieve their full potential. We provide safe environments where young people can enjoy themselves, meet others, feel valued, access information and support, and learn new skills.
About the Role
- Pay Details: Youth Pathways Mentor (NJC Single Status, Collective Agreement Grade 6 SCP 14‑19) £29,540 – £32,061 per annum.
- Hours of Work / Working Pattern: 37 hours per week, 52 weeks per year. Work may include some evenings and occasional weekends to meet the needs of young people, schools, and employer partners.
- Main Place of Work: Office base at the Civic Offices, Barry, with frequent peripatetic travel to schools, EOTAS provision, community venues, and employer sites across the Vale of Glamorgan.
- Contract Type: Temporary until 31.03.2028.
We are recruiting two Youth Pathways Mentors to support the delivery of the Vale Youth Apprenticeship Pathway (VYAP), a new multi‑stage school‑to‑apprenticeship model for learners aged 14‑18. Under the supervision of the Senior Youth Engagement Worker, Strive, you will hold a caseload of young people aged 14‑16 accessing pre‑16 junior apprenticeship, supported work placement, and employability pathways. You will provide relationship‑based youth mentoring to help young people prepare for, access, and sustain safe, meaningful work placement experiences, and support them to plan positive progression into post‑16 education, training or employment.
- Mentoring and 1:1 relationship‑based work with young people
- Employability, work‑readiness or progression‑focused activity with young people
- Supporting young people with Additional Learning Needs (ALN)
- Working with schools, employers, Careers Wales and multi‑agency partners to support safe, mentored work placements
You will be given the opportunity to build a meaningful career pathway with our training programme, including support to undertake relevant youth work, mentoring, and employability qualifications in post. You will enjoy perks and benefits for being part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council and secure your future with our comprehensive pension plan. The service is managed by the Vale Youth Service and is situated in the Learning and Skills department. Successful candidates will receive comprehensive CPD opportunities, development of new skills across youth work, mentoring, employability and progression practice, and will be part of a dynamic team that creates positive influences within the local community and makes a difference to young people’s lives. Candidates will be eligible to join the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS).
About You
- You will need:
- Experience of face‑to‑face work with young people aged 11+ who may experience barriers to engagement.
- Experience of delivering 1:1 support to young people in a supportive, empowering and non‑judgemental way.
- Experience of supporting young people with Additional Learning Needs, and of working with families or carers.
- Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures, adolescent development, and multi‑agency working.
- Knowledge of local progression routes into post‑16 education, training or apprenticeships, and of Careers Wales or career development principles.
- A minimum of 2 years’ experience of working with children or young people, plus a good general education (minimum 5 GCSEs or equivalent).
- Safeguarding Group B training and careers or employability‑related training (or willingness to undertake these on appointment).
- A full UK driving licence, and willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends and peripatetic across the Vale of Glamorgan.
Desirable Qualifications
- Desirable qualifications include a Youth Work or related qualification, Level 3 Award in Education & Training (AET / PTLLS), trauma‑informed or ACE‑aware training, a First Aid qualification, mentoring or coaching skills, and Welsh language skills.
These experiences and qualifications will help ensure you are well‑prepared to engage with young people effectively, respond to disengagement or challenging behaviour, and contribute positively to their progression into work, training and education.
Additional Information
- DBS Check Required: Enhanced Adult and Children with barring.
For further information, contact Hannah Brown (hbrown@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk) or Tracy Mills (tmills@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk) 07738312562.
All Youth Service staff are expected to work within the Education Workforce Council’s Code of Professional Conduct and Practice. Successful applicants who are already registered as a Youth Worker or Youth Support Worker must maintain their registration. Applicants who are not registered will be supported to consider registration during their induction. Further information can be found at www.ewc.wales.
Please see attached job description/person specification for further information.
Youth Pathways Mentor 2 posts available - Temporary / Fixed Term in Barry employer: Vale of Glamorgan Council
Contact Detail:
Vale of Glamorgan Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Youth Pathways Mentor 2 posts available - Temporary / Fixed Term in Barry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your contacts in the youth services sector or related fields. Attend local events or workshops where you can meet people who might know about job openings. Remember, sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the Vale Youth Service and understanding their mission. Think about how your experience aligns with their goals. We want to see your passion for supporting young people shine through!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your skills! Bring examples of your past work with young people to the interview. Whether it’s a success story or a challenge you overcame, we love hearing about real-life experiences that demonstrate your mentoring abilities.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and making a difference in the lives of young people.
We think you need these skills to ace Youth Pathways Mentor 2 posts available - Temporary / Fixed Term in Barry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Youth Work: When writing your application, let your enthusiasm for working with young people shine through. Share any personal experiences or stories that highlight your commitment to helping them achieve their potential.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to reflect the specific requirements of the Youth Pathways Mentor role. Highlight your relevant experience and skills, especially those related to mentoring and supporting young people with Additional Learning Needs.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application straightforward and to the point. Use clear language and avoid jargon, making it easy for us to see how you meet the criteria. Remember, we want to understand your qualifications without wading through unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right place and is considered promptly. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Vale of Glamorgan Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you understand the role of a Youth Pathways Mentor inside out. Familiarise yourself with the Vale Youth Service's mission and how they support young people. Be ready to discuss your experience working with young people, especially those facing barriers, and how you can contribute to their development.
✨Showcase Your Skills
Prepare examples that highlight your mentoring and support skills. Think about specific instances where you've helped young people overcome challenges or achieve their goals. This will demonstrate your ability to provide relationship-based mentoring, which is crucial for this role.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that put you in real-life situations you might face as a mentor. For example, how would you handle a young person who is disengaged? Practising your responses to these scenarios will help you articulate your approach and show your problem-solving skills.
✨Ask Thoughtful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few questions ready to ask the interviewers. This could be about the training opportunities available or how the team collaborates with local schools and employers. It shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you gauge if it's the right fit for you.