Work and Learning Coach (FTC March 2026)

As a Work and Learning Coach, you will be part of a team of coaches working to empower individuals to pursue, achieve, and sustain their work, learning, and volunteering aspirations. Working with individuals to identify their strengths, you will facilitate a truly personalised journey through which individuals can build skills and confidence to move forward positively in their lives.

YMCA Brighton is a registered charity. We provide supported accommodation to over 300 people across the city of Brighton alongside our EVOLVE Work and Learning Service. EVOLVE provides coaching support to individuals housed by YMCA Brighton and adults supported by Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services in Brighton & Hove. Partially funded by OHID (Office for Health Improvement and Disparities), the service helps clients achieve their work, learning, and volunteering goals.

As a Work and Learning Coach, you will offer one-to-one coaching for up to 24 weeks, helping clients explore, pursue, and sustain their goals in employment, education, and volunteering. The length and focus of support can be tailored to each individual's unique needs, aspirations, and circumstances.

Our Mission: We provide the home, the community, and the services that equip people to overcome barriers and achieve their aims.

Our Vision: Working together to create an inclusive community where everyone can belong, contribute, and thrive.

Our Values: Community, Compassion, and Empowerment.

You will receive:

• Comprehensive Induction into the role
• Comprehensive Training package – face-to-face and online training on a wide range of subjects to ensure you are equipped with the skills and knowledge to carry out your duties and tasks required and further develop your career.
• Regular Supervision Support from your Line Manager.
• A supportive working environment.
• An encouraged culture to support staff health & well-being and a healthy work-life balance.
• Access to debriefs, counselling, and reflective practice sessions when the job is challenging.
• Staff benefits from a wide range of health & well-being services.
• Annual Leave Entitlement: 25 days plus Bank Holidays pro rata.
• Well-being time per week.
• We are a National Living Wage Employer.

This position is based in Brighton, East Sussex.

Service users are supported to access opportunities to achieve their aspirations through:

• 1-1 support sessions up to 24 weeks.
• Varying levels of support to suit individual needs.
• Accompanying service users to appointments/courses/interviews.
• Facilitated workshop sessions on skills and confidence building, preparation and readiness, creative, wellbeing, and therapeutic activities.
• Referrals/signposting into citywide services.
• Practical support to access activities or items needed, such as exploring options for travel costs, clothing, and funding towards training/courses.
• Occasional working outside of office hours may be necessary to offer maximum flexibility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work alongside YMCA Brighton supported accommodations and external services to identify individuals who would benefit from taking steps towards work, learning, or volunteering opportunities.
• Undertake work and learning, welcome meetings with prospective coaches to identify their strengths and aspirations.
• Manage a caseload of individual coachees, assisting with decisions, solving issues, learning new skills, and progressing towards their goals.
• Provide regular reviews and agree on timescales with individuals, using a range of contact methods.
• Provide practical and emotional support to build confidence and independence, with gradually-reducing assistance.
• Facilitate drop-in sessions and workshops on topics like CV writing, interview skills, workplace behaviour, online access, and accessing clothing and equipment.
• Work closely with charities, statutory organisations, Job Centre Plus, employers, and learning providers to source opportunities based on clients’ strengths and interests.
• Maintain accurate records of each individual’s progress, including reports, casework, and diary notes.
• Participate in multi-agency meetings, joint planning, and case conferences.
• Represent YMCA Brighton at external and community meetings.
• Act upon disclosures of violence, abuse, or safeguarding concerns, completing reports in line with policies.
• Adhere to YMCA Brighton’s policies and procedures, including those related to EDI, Safeguarding, and Health and Safety.
• Ensure confidentiality in line with GDPR and data protection legislation.
• Safeguard and promote the welfare of service users, volunteers, and staff.
• Engage in training, learning, and development opportunities.
• Attend team meetings to monitor service performance.
• Participate in supervision, performance appraisal, and reflective practice.
• Contribute to the safety and well-being of the service environment.
• Provide monitoring data to demonstrate positive outcomes.
• Promote YMCA Brighton’s ethos, values, and practices.
• Follow the Code of Conduct and policies on diversity, inclusion, and safeguarding.
• Undertake any other duties within the scope of the role as directed.

Person Specification:

Knowledge and Understanding: Coaching approaches, IAG or related qualification, understanding of working with adults with complex needs, barriers faced by marginalised groups, trauma-informed care, welfare benefits, confidentiality, and safeguarding policies.
Experience: Delivering advice and guidance, workshops, managing challenging behaviour, resourcefulness, and adaptability.
Skills and Abilities: Excellent interpersonal skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office, organisational skills, partnership working, and ability to work independently and as part of a team.
Other Requirements: Emotional resilience, self-awareness, commitment to diversity and inclusion, client-centred approach, and participation in personal development.