Working as part of the Education and Employability Team, the role will deliver on the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation’s education programmes including the Redcar and Cleveland Virtual Schools, Premier League Inspires and Premier League Kicks. The delivery will focus on high-quality, engaging one – one mentoring activity including educational interventions, workshops, and other sports and physical activity. The Virtual School is a local authority service that exists to make sure children in care, previously looked after children, or those with a social worker get the best possible education. They work with real schools, carers, social workers and staff like our own to monitor progress, remove barriers and give extra support. At the Foundation we are committed to living and embedding our core values (quality, inspire, teamwork, inclusion and honesty and integrity), in how we deliver our activity and interact with our partners and colleagues. Job Description Plan, deliver and review the delivery of the Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council Virtual Schools offer. Redcar and Cleveland Virtual School is a support service that helps improve education for children in care and previously looked-after children, rather than a school students attend. It works with schools and professionals to monitor progress, offer guidance, and ensure these children receive the support they need. Plan, prepare and deliver a wide range of activities to meet education partner’s needs, including mentoring, one-to-one curriculum support, personal, social, health and economic (PSHE), learning interventions including numeracy, literacy and equality diversity inclusion (EDI) and educational group workshops. If or when required, oversee the management and performance of a member of staff including managing and delivering objectives and key performance indicators (KPIs) in conjunction with the Secondary Education Coordinator. And where necessary and required, escalate any performance improvement requirements in conjunction with the Manager. Working with the Secondary Education Coordinator and Data and Impact Coordinator, undertake programme monitoring and evaluation. Working with the Secondary Education Coordinator and Communications Team to communicate the impact of the programmes. Adhere to health and safety requirements with support of the Health and Safety Lead. Be committed to safeguarding and working with the Designated Safeguarding Officer. Demonstrate a strong commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, including adapting resources and engagements to ensure equal opportunities for all. Promote the vision, mission and core values of the Foundation. Deliver on Team programmes as well as supporting wider Foundation programmes, within other strategic themes such as Health and Wellbeing, Social Inclusion and Supporting the Club. Please find below details of the application process and further information to assist you in its completion. Closing Date 13th October 2025 Interview 22nd October 2025 Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview. Due to high application volumes, we regret that we cannot provide feedback to those who are not shortlisted. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact: Daniel Thompson (Education and Employability Manager) 07523 697285, [email protected] Assessment Applications are assessed against the ‘essential’ and ‘desirable’ criteria for the role, as set out on the person specification. Please ensure, therefore, that your application fully reflects how you meet these criteria. Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation welcomes applications from all sections of the community. We welcome applications from disabled candidates. We are also seeking to diversify our workforce, particularly by gender and ethnicity. About The Candidate Personal Specification Essential Desirable Experience Experience of working with children and young people Experience in delivering a range of activities related to sport, education and/or wellbeing Experience in collecting data, excellent verbal skills and an ability to adapt delivery to meet individual needs Experience of working with young people with Special Educational Needs or disabilities. Experience of data collection and management including collecting registers and outcome measurements, data upload, awareness and tracking of key performance indicators and impact and funder reporting Qualifications A good standard of general education including high level literacy and numeracy skills Level 2 Qualification in Effective Mentoring or willingness to work towards Youth Mental Health First Aid Certificate or willing to work towards Emergency First Aid at work Certificate or willing to work towards FA Safeguarding Children Course or willingness to work towards Level 1/Level 2 Sports Coaching Qualification from a recognised National Governing Body (e.g. FA Introduction to Football/UEFA C Licence) Level 2 Youth Work Qualification Level 3 Award in Education and Teaching Sports or Education Degree or equivalent experience Specific Skills and Knowledge Ability to show self-awareness, self-regulation and empathy when working with children in care, who are trauma experienced, or have faced disrupted education, and responding sensitively. Ability to motivate, encourage resilience and set realistic goals for learners. Relationship management I the context of long-term mentoring relationships. Understanding the educational challenges of looked after children (e.g., disrupted schooling, attachment issues, trauma-informed practice). Knowledge of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) Knowledge of safeguarding Ability to listen actively, helping learners develop independence and self-regulation, rather than dependency. Providing constructive feedback that builds confidence. Balancing academic mentoring with pastoral support. Ability to work alongside teachers, social workers, carers, and virtual school teams. Clear communication skills (both written and verbal) Understanding of the care system, pupil premium funding, and educational entitlements for looked-after children. Familiarity with educational pathways, exams, and post-16 options to give accurate guidance. Confidence in using online learning platforms, video conferencing tools, and digital collaboration apps. Ability to spot signs of disengagement or emotional struggle in an online context Ability to use digital tools to track progress, set goals, and maintain regular communication. Additional Requirements A flexible approach to working hours to include evening and weekend work as part of regular delivery A valid driving licence, with access to own transport including business insurance and willingness to travel within the Tees Valley Be eligible to work in the UK A satisfactory enhanced DBS check will need to be completed About The Club Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. Alongside Middlesbrough Football Club, we are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion as highlighted by our RiversideBySide initiative. The Foundation is a place where inclusion is a core value and where everyone can be themselves in an environment where they feel safe and included, including being a Disability Confident Leader. Safeguarding Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation and Middlesbrough Football Club are fully committed to the safeguarding and welfare of children, young people, young players, and Adults at Risk. Promoting safeguarding and welfare of participants and staff is everyone’s responsibility and staff and volunteers are expected to share this commitment. As part of the Foundation’s commitment to safeguarding, any successful applicant, who will be working in regulated activity, will be required to undergo a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or an enhanced DBS check. The successful applicant will not be able to start working for the Foundation until the DBS check has been completed. The Foundation will also seek the successful candidate's consent for obtaining two written references and to ask for documentary proof of qualifications and right to work in the UK. Any offer of employment will be conditional on these being satisfactory. Once in post, all new staff will receive a comprehensive safeguarding induction from our Designated Safeguarding Officer, as well as ongoing safeguarding training