Youth Engagement Mentor (Casual)
Location: ManchesterManchester United Foundation believes every young person should feel empowered to achieve their goals and uses the power of football and Manchester United to support young people to make positive choices in their life.
The Role:
The Manchester United Foundation works in some of the most disadvantaged areas taking Manchester United to the heart of the community.
Our mentoring programme works in conjunction with our Street Reds provision which uses the power of football to give young people an opportunity to pursue their interest in playing, leading, and coaching the game as well as supporting the participation in educational and diversionary activities.
These free sessions are aimed at young people aged 8 -18 and promote inclusivity, provide regular physical activity opportunities and the ability to feel valued as part of a group. Enriching the lives of those who might become isolated. The sessions assist in developing a range of soft skills, increasing social mobility through inter project tournaments, employment and volunteer opportunities.
This casual hours role is to deliver targeted youth engagement and mentoring to strengthen protective factors for vulnerable young people, helping them make positive life choices and access meaningful pathways that contribute to the Foundation’s mission of supporting safer, stronger communities. These interventions are delivered at our evening-based Street Reds sessions and evening work is a requirement for the role.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Build and maintain positive, professional relationships with young people, parents/carers and support networks to encourage engagement, resilience, and progression into positive pathways
2. Co-deliver programme activities including football and multi-sport sessions, social education workshops, personal development planning and employability-focused opportunities
3. Engaging young people who may be reluctant, distrustful, or disengaged, particularly those affected by trauma, exploitation or negative peer influences
4. Managing challenging behaviours in a safe, calm and professional manner while maintaining strong boundaries
5. Support safeguarding and risk management, ensuring all sessions, interactions and decisions follow the Foundation’s policies, risk assessments and reporting procedures
6. Contribute to multi-agency working, attending meetings, sharing insight appropriately and coordinating support approaches alongside schools, youth services and partner organisations
7. Monitor, record and evaluate participant progress, completing all required documentation accurately to support programme reporting and continuous improvement
8. Provide consistent presence at Street Reds community football provision, supporting delivery, participant engagement and behaviour management to maintain a safe and positive environment
9. Identify and signpost young people to external opportunities, including training, volunteering, enrichment experiences and work placements that enhance personal development
The Person:
10. A Level 1 Youth Work qualification (or equivalent)
11. A full clean driving license
12. Experience of facilitating structured mentoring programmes
13. Understanding of multi-agency work involving schools, youth services, social care, police or Early Help teams
14. Experience delivering sports or football-based youth activities
15. Ability to build trust and rapport with young people
16. A passion for working and supporting children and young people
17. Ability to demonstrate empathy, patience and compassion while maintaining professional boundaries – critical for safeguarding and effective mentoring
18. Ability to manage risk, respond appropriately to concerns, and follow safeguarding procedures
19. Ability to plan and facilitate engaging activities suitable for young people, including sport, social education and personal development content
20. Organisational skills for managing caseloads, monitoring, record-keeping and completing evaluations
21. Strong communication and inter-personal skills
22. Ability to be flexible as role will require working evening hours
23. Attention to detail
24. Ability to achieve targets and KPIs