Cycle Technician & Support Tutor

To assist with the development and delivery of alternative education pathways, supporting both practical and academic activities, providing learning opportunities for socially and educationally excluded young people.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain positive relationships with young people, providing a non‑judgmental adult role model with a commitment to inclusive practice.
• Work effectively in individual and team contexts with staff and volunteers according to flexible timetable requirements.
• Provide consistent evidence of student participation in activities, including photographs, observation records, witness statements, and portfolios of work.
• Support delivery of SMSC, Accreditation and Maths & English sessions to groups or individual students, as directed by the Lead Tutor or Specialist Teacher.
• Help deliver schemes of work, appropriate learning tasks and vocational activities that meet the needs of the young people, as directed.
• Teach and demonstrate safe bicycle maintenance techniques, including servicing, repairs, fault finding, and refurbishment.
• Help supervise students throughout the day during educational and recreational periods.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and hazard‑free workshop environment, ensuring all areas are safely accessible to students and staff.

Networking & Partnerships

• Inform the Alternative Education & Post‑16 Manager and/or Specialist Teacher of any significant communication with referring agencies promptly.
• Maintain professional relationships with other agencies and professionals to maximise opportunities for positive learning experiences.
• Establish and maintain positive relationships with local cycle retailers, suppliers, cycling organisations, employers and external contractors.
• Support opportunities for young people to engage in community cycling projects, work‑experience placements and progression opportunities.

Operations & Quality Assurance

• Contribute to the completion of pupil tracking documents, progress reports and moderation documents from referring agencies as required.
• Oversee the maintenance, servicing and refurbishment of bicycles used within the programme.
• Implement and maintain service schedules and maintenance records for all bicycles and workshop equipment.
• Identify and respond appropriately to mechanical faults, safety concerns and equipment defects.
• Manage stock levels of tools, parts, consumables and safety equipment, ordering replacements as required.
• Support the development of cycle maintenance qualifications, vocational learning opportunities and employability pathways.
• Work closely with Alternative Education Tutors to integrate practical activities effectively into individual learning programmes.
• Ensure all bicycles used by young people meet appropriate safety standards before use.

Policy & Procedure

• Work in accordance with all Blend Youth Project core policies and procedures.
• Be aware of and comply with safeguarding, equality & diversity, health & safety policies, risk assessments and related legislation.
• Implement and maintain safe storage systems for tools, equipment and consumables.
• Promote a culture of safe cycling, personal responsibility and respect for equipment and facilities.

Self‑Management and Professional Development

• Contribute to reports as required by the Alternative Education Manager and/or Specialist Teacher.
• Attend meetings and supervision sessions as requested.
• Identify CPD needs and undertake training and professional development opportunities as agreed with line manager.
• Maintain and develop professional knowledge relating to bicycle maintenance, cycle safety, vocational education and youth work practice.

Organisational Values and Projects

• Uphold and promote the ethos and values of Valley CIDS/Blend Youth Project at all times.
• Develop knowledge of the organisation’s other projects and services.
• Participate in Valley CIDS and Blend Youth Project promotional events.
• Contribute to the development of new vocational and alternative education opportunities for young people.

Characteristics & Values

• Embrace fully the ethos, vision and values of Valley CIDS/Blend Youth Project.
• Passion and enthusiasm for young people’s well‑being, learning and development.
• Passion and enthusiasm for alternative education learning contexts.
• Self‑motivated, resourceful and able to motivate young people.
• Committed to promoting inclusion and anti‑discriminatory practice in all aspects of work.
• Well organised and able to work effectively alone or as part of a team.
• Committed to promoting and adhering to the highest standards of animal welfare.

Skills

• Ability to communicate effectively with young people and colleagues.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment with staff and volunteers.
• Ability to communicate effectively and professionally with visiting representatives of external agencies.
• Ability to teach and facilitate cycle maintenance activities safely and effectively with young people.
• Ability to diagnose, maintain and repair bicycles to a safe operational standard.
• Ability to maintain a safe and organised workshop environment.

Knowledge

• Knowledge of safeguarding and child protection procedures.
• Knowledge of health & safety and risk assessment issues and procedures.
• Knowledge of equal opportunities practices.
• Knowledge of bicycle maintenance, repair techniques and cycle safety standards.
• Knowledge of workshop health and safety requirements, including safe use of tools and equipment.

Experience

• Experience of working with young people who have social, emotional and/or behavioural difficulties.
• Experience of bicycle maintenance, servicing and repair in a workshop, community project or commercial setting.
• Experience of supporting young people to develop practical vocational skills.
• Experience of teaching and learning in an alternative education context.
• Experience of delivering education in alternative education learning environments.
• Experience of responding effectively to challenging behaviour to promote engagement.

Other Requirements

• Willingness to support occasional evening, weekend, non‑term time and holiday activities as required.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Ability to transport bicycles and equipment where required.
• Willingness to undertake further training and CPD opportunities.
• Recognised cycle maintenance qualification (e.g. Cytech Level 2 or equivalent experience).
• Minimum Level 2 maths and English qualifications.

Benefits

• Enhanced annual leave.
• Company sick pay scheme.
• 20% discount in all Lighthouse charity shops.
• Company pension.
• Employee assistance programme.
• Access to exclusive shopping and lifestyle discounts.
• Christmas saver scheme.
• Company events.