Student Mentor - Outdoor Activities

Oarsome Chance; Gosport; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A youth support organization in Gosport is seeking a Student Mentor for outdoor activities. The role involves mentoring young people, leading structured outdoor sessions that build life skills and confidence. Candidates should have experience in youth work, strong communication skills, and a valid UK driving license. This position emphasizes safeguarding and behavior management while promoting positive relationships among students. The application deadline is 18/02/2026.

Qualifications

• Experience in mentoring and youth work is essential.
• Strong ability to engage young people using patience and empathy.
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and behavior management.

Responsibilities

• Lead mentoring and support sessions for young people.
• Plan and deliver engaging outdoor learning activities.
• Monitor and report wellbeing concerns promptly.

Skills

Experience working with young people facing behavioral, social, emotional or mental health needs

Strong mentoring or youth work background

Experience leading outdoor, sports, or adventure-based activities

Ability to engage hard-to-reach young people

Strong communication skills

Ability to carry out risk assessments

Education

Outdoor leadership qualification (e.g. Level 2/3 Outdoor Instructor, Forest School Leader)

First Aid qualification

Job description

Purpose of the Role

The student mentor outdoor activities lead will work directly with young people, helping them to build life skills, develop healthy relationships and make decisions that are right for them. The role combines mentoring and leading structured outdoor learning sessions and activities. The post holder is responsible to create safe, engaging, and purposeful outdoor experiences that build confidence, resilience, teamwork, and positive behaviours, while also providing consistent support tailored to individual needs of young people in the provision.

Key Responsibilities

Mentoring and Student Support

To support the operational team in the delivery of sessions, with a dynamic and flexible approach. Lead sessions where appropriate ensuring correct staff ratios for all groups during the day. Working with students, parents, carers and commissioners to ensure good lines of communication throughout. Assist the wider Operational team in all safeguarding of students during onsite and offsite activities.

• Build trusting, positive relationships with young people, providing consistency and predictability. Role‑modeling appropriate behaviours and supporting young people to unpick needs and concerns restoratively. Setting up and running projects as per Oarsome Chance business framework.
• Work on a 2:1 ratio, with 1:1 session where required and in small groups to support young people with barriers such as low self‑esteem, anxiety, behavioural challenges, and disengagement. Encourage young people and show enthusiasm for the subject indoors and outside in the wider environment.
• Support the implementation of behaviour plans, risk assessments and individual learner journeys. Maintaining confidential information while being conscious of what needs to be shared and with who in a timely manner, writing feedback and presenting case findings during regular review discussions and sharing insights in team briefings.
• Monitor wellbeing concerns and report any safeguarding issues promptly in line with organisational procedures. Working with other organisations, such as schools, community groups and police.
• Promote positive management of behaviour of young people; establish routines and boundaries to ensure the safety and good behaviour of the young people, supervising them at all times.
• Transport support where applicable, being confident and assertive in respect of the safety of young people during transport.

Leading Outdoor Activities

• Plan, deliver, and supervise a range of outdoor learning sessions (e.g. team building, bushcraft, nature‑based activities, adventure sports, paddle sports, mountain biking etc).
• Ensure all activities are adapted to meet a range of abilities, needs, and behaviour profiles within the cohort.
• Carry out robust risk assessments before and during activities.
• Maintain equipment, ensure safe use, and follow health and safety and safeguarding requirements.
• Promote teamwork, confidence building, resilience, and problem‑solving through structured outdoor experiences.
• Work collaboratively with staff members and project leads to support individual learning and engagement levels of young people in the program.
• Reinforce session expectations and support transitions between activities.
• Encourage participation and positive behaviour during all sessions, using restorative and trauma‑informed approaches.
• Support recording of attendance, progress, and behaviour data as required.

Communication and Safeguarding Responsibilities

• Communicate effectively with parents/carers, social workers, and external agencies where needed.
• Provide regular feedback on progress, concerns, and achievements of young people.
• Uphold the organisation’s values, safeguarding procedures, and equality and diversity commitments.
• As member of the Oarsome Chance team the post‑holder will have a responsibility in every circumstance to promote and safeguard the welfare of young people in the provision.

Person specifications

Essential Skills

• Experience working with young people facing behavioural, social, emotional or mental health needs.
• Strong mentoring or youth work background.
• Experience leading outdoor, sports, or adventure‑based activities.
• Ability to engage hard‑to‑reach young people using patience, empathy, and resilience.
• Understanding of safeguarding, child protection, and behaviour management.
• Ability to manage challenging situations calmly and professionally.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to carry out risk assessments and maintain safe practice.
• Flexibility is essential. Occasionally due to changes in the programme, staff must be able to think independently and respond to sudden changes to plans.
• Rigor to develop oneself within the role, a commitment to the role and being able to deliver the core hours.

Desirable Skills

• Outdoor leadership qualification (e.g. Level 2/3 Outdoor Instructor, Forest School Leader, NGB awards).
• First Aid qualification.
• Experience working in alternative provision, youth program, or SEMH settings.
• Knowledge of trauma‑informed practice, restorative approaches, or therapeutic mentoring.

Desirable (but not essential as training will be given)

• Annual safeguarding for school staff KCSIE 2021
• Conflict de‑escalation in a school setting
• Safeguarding and protecting children L1
• Foundation and Safety, Rescue Training (FSRT)
• RYA (or equivalent) first aid training
• Mental Health first aider
• Willing to undertake further training and updates

Valid UK driving Licence mandatory

Application deadline -18/02/2026