Community Mentor

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated Community Mentor for the Tees Valley area to join our team at Progress Community, where the wellbeing of both learners and staff is prioritized. This role focuses on fostering meaningful and supportive relationships aimed at empowering vulnerable young people through an innovative, inclusive, and collaborative approach.

The position requires consistent travel within the local community to meet learners in various environments such as community settings and, when suitable, family homes. A valid UK driving licence and vehicle access are mandatory for this role.

Support and Development

Community Mentors are supported with regular supervision, safeguarding guidance, and ongoing professional growth opportunities. Our organization prioritizes investing in employees, providing career development pathways, and ensuring a healthy work-life balance with generous leave policies and flexible arrangements.

Compliance and Screening

Candidates who are successful will undergo an Enhanced DBS check including Children's Barred List clearance, alongside all safeguarding recruitment procedures per current child protection standards.

Benefits

• Discounted gym memberships and a free wellbeing app offering fitness, yoga, and mindfulness resources
• Dedicated counselling services
• Reduced administrative duties to maximize focus on mentoring
• Professional development and paid training including support for qualifications, with approximately £3.5k invested per staff member last year
• Death in Service Insurance covering four times annual salary
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave policies
• Medicash health and wellbeing cashback scheme up to 900 annually for eye tests, dental, prescriptions, and holistic treatments for employees and dependents
• Recognition awards on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis
• A 500 referral bonus for recommending candidates who are hired
• Access to MiRewards platform for exclusive discounts and rewards
• Weekly senior leadership drop-in sessions for direct communication and support
• Participation in the annual group conference and comprehensive benefits review

Candidate Profile

• Minimum GCSEs in English and Mathematics at Grade C/4 or equivalent qualifications
• Experience in education, alternative provisions, safeguarding, or attendance management
• Strong skills in administrative tasks and data management, including familiarity with digital systems and reporting platforms
• Ability to effectively solve problems and make informed decisions
• Excellent oral and written communication skills with diverse stakeholders including young people, families, and colleagues
• Dedication to promoting inclusivity, diversity, safeguarding, wellbeing, and British values
• Capable of managing time efficiently for planning, execution, and evaluation of mentoring activities

About Progress Community

Progress Community is transforming alternative education with a personalized and relationship-focused strategy that breaks down barriers to learning. As a Community Mentor, you will have a vital role helping learners reconnect with education, develop confidence and independence, and achieve potential.

This role involves building trust, collaborating with families and professionals, supporting individual learning pathways, and contributing to impactful outcomes beyond conventional education settings including safeguarding, attendance, and transition planning.

Diversity and Safeguarding Commitment

We are an equal opportunities employer committed to diversity and inclusion across all aspects including age, gender, ethnicity, disability, and more. Our recruitment adheres strictly to safe hiring practices to protect children and young people.

Additional Information

No visa sponsorship is available for this role. Progress Schools are a national provider of alternative education serving students aged 11-16, guiding them back into mainstream education or onto further education, training, or employment post-Year 11.