Community Mentor

The Progress Group; Thrapston; On-site; GBP 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discounted gym

Wellbeing app

Counselling support

Death in Service Insurance

Maternity/Paternity leave

MiRewards discounts

Weekly leadership drop-ins

Annual group conference

Referral bonus £500

Job summary

Progress Community, part of The Progress Group, is seeking a Community Mentor to support learners in the Thrapston area and online. You’ll build trusted relationships, promote wellbeing, and help pupils re-engage with education through personalised pathways.

You’ll work with families and professionals, deliver safeguarding and attendance support, and contribute to positive outcomes beyond the classroom. A driving licence and access to a vehicle are essential.

Qualifications

• GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent.
• Experience working within education, alternative provision, safeguarding or attendance environments.
• Strong administrative and data management experience.
• Experience using digital systems and reporting platforms.
• Aptitude for solving problems and making effective decisions.
• Clear communication with diverse audiences including children, parents and carers, and colleagues.
• Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, safeguarding, wellbeing, and British values.
• Effective time management for planning, delivery, and assessment.

Responsibilities

• Support learners in the community and online, building trusted relationships.
• Engage families and professionals to enable personalised pathways.
• Assist with safeguarding, attendance, and destination planning.
• Contribute to personal development opportunities and group outcomes.
• Promote inclusion and high expectations in every interaction.

Education

GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above)

Tools

Reporting platforms

Job description

Join us as a Community Mentor Thapston: Empower Futures!

Do you want to work for a company where wellbeing is more than a word, it’s a commitment? Somewhere where the person matters as much as the professional?

Well at Progress Community, that’s just the approach we take.

At Progress Community, we are committed to creating an inclusive, supportive and ambitious culture for both our learners and colleagues. We are looking for professionals who are passionate about building meaningful relationships, embracing innovation and working collaboratively to improve outcomes for vulnerable young people.

This role involves regular travel within the local community (Thrapston) to support learners in a variety of settings, including community venues and family homes where appropriate. A full UK driving licence and access to a vehicle are therefore essential.

Community Mentors receive regular supervision, safeguarding support and ongoing professional development, with opportunities to contribute to the continued growth and development of Progress Community. We are committed to investing in our people and creating clear pathways for career progression.

Successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check with Children's Barred List clearance and all safer recruitment checks in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

Our top-notch benefits go beyond the basics—enjoy access to discounted gym memberships, a free wellbeing app that is jam packed with fitness, yoga and mindfulness resources and dedicated counselling support. And because we know your passion is with pupils and not paperwork, we do everything we can to reduce the amount of surplus admin too.

Your work-life balance matters. That’s why we offer generous holidays, additional leave for foster carers and flexibility wherever possible.

And why do we do this? Because when you thrive, so do our students. So we want to invest in your personal and professional growth as much as we do the young people who attend our schools.

But that’s not all, we also offer…

• Professional Development: Support for professional qualifications, in-house training, including paid qualifications. Last year we invested approx. £3.5k per colleague!
• Financial Security: Death in Service Insurance providing four times your salary.
• Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced Maternity/Paternity Leave.
• Health and Wellbeing Cashback: Access to Medicash for you and your dependants, covering the costs of eye tests, optical, dental, prescriptions, and holistic treatments up to £900 annually.
• Recognition Awards: Monthly, Quarterly, and Annual Recognition Awards.
• Referral Bonus: £500 for referring top talent.
• Exclusive Discounts: MiRewards benefits platform, offering loads of discounts and rewards
• Weekly drop-ins with Senior Leaders: Connect, clarify and communicate with weekly drop-ins with our Managing Director and organisation SLT
• Group Connection: Annual Group conference and a comprehensive benefits review.

What are we looking for from you?

• Qualifications: GCSE English and Mathematics (Grade C/4 or above) or equivalent
• Experience: Experience working within education, alternative provision, safeguarding or attendance environments. Strong administrative and data management experience. Experience using digital systems and reporting platforms.
• Problem‑Solving: Aptitude for solving problems and making effective decisions.
• Communication: To be able to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with a diverse range of audiences including children, parents and carers, and colleagues.
• Promotion of Values: Commitment to promoting equality, diversity, safeguarding, wellbeing, and British values.
• Time Management: Effective time management for planning, delivery, and assessment.

More About Progress Community

At Progress Community, we're redefining alternative provision through a personalised, relationship-led approach that removes barriers to learning and empowers young people to achieve positive futures. As a Community Mentor, you'll play a vital role in supporting learners both in the community and online, helping them re‑engage with education, develop confidence and independence, and realise their full potential.

This is more than a mentoring role. You'll build trusted relationships, work closely with families and professionals, support learners through personalised pathways, and contribute to meaningful outcomes that extend far beyond the classroom. From safeguarding and attendance to destination planning and personal development, you'll have the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people every single day.

If you're passionate about inclusion, committed to high expectations and believe education should create opportunities without walls, we'd love to hear from you.

Diversity and Inclusion Statement

The Progress Group is an Equal Opportunities Employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, pregnancy, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, disability, medical history, skin colour, marital status, genetic information, or parental status. All employment decisions are based on merit, job requirements, and business needs.

Safeguarding Statement

We are committed to safeguarding and protecting all children and young people by implementing robust safer recruitment practices. For details of our commitment to safer recruitment please visit our website for further information.

Note: We are unable to provide Visa sponsorship for this role.

Progress Schools is a nationally based, alternative education provider with independent secondary schools located throughout England. We provide high-quality, supportive, and inspirational teaching to 11 – 16-year-olds at Key Stage 3 and 4. Our bespoke approach ensures positive progression either back into mainstream education, or into the world of further education, work‑based learning, or employment when leaving us in Year 11.