Targeted Youth Practitioner

Support Through Sport; Newark on Trent; On-site; GBP 24,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A youth work organization in Newark on Trent seeks a dedicated Targeted Youth Practitioner to deliver mentoring and support to youth aged 10–17 at risk of disengagement or crime. You will collaborate with schools and families to provide tailored interventions, fostering positive outcomes for young people in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. A minimum of 2 years' youth work experience and a strong understanding of safeguarding are essential. This role requires flexibility, including evening work, and offers a chance to make a significant impact in the community.

Qualifications

• 2 years of youth work experience required.
• Understanding of safeguarding and child protection.
• Ability to travel across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.

Responsibilities

• Deliver tailored 1:1 mentoring and support to at-risk youth.
• Work in partnership with schools and families.
• Implement the Navigator programme to build protective factors.

Skills

Youth Work Experience

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Ability to engage vulnerable young people

Flexible working hours

Education

Youth Work Qualification

Job description

About Our Work

Support Through Sport CIO, based in Nottingham, delivers sport-based intervention, mentoring, and youth work programmes to thousands of disadvantaged young people, empowering them to develop pro‑social behaviours and providing a lasting positive impact within underserved communities.

The organisation works to a Theory of Change which ultimately provides at‑risk young people with protective factors, diverting them away from negative influences such as youth offending, ASB, violence, gang culture and knife crime. Through an innovative, youth‑led approach, Support Through Sport harnesses the power of sport to empower disadvantaged youth and create safer communities, where young people can thrive.

Role Overview

Support Through Sport CIO are seeking a passionate, dedicated and reliable individual to join our team as a Targeted Youth Practitioner delivering on our city and county wide School and Community Navigator programme. As a navigator, you will provide tailored 1:1 mentoring and wider wrap‑around community support to children and young people aged 10–17 who are at risk of school disengagement, exploitation, or involvement in crime. The role combines school‑based interventions with community engagement to help young people build brighter futures and to embed and sustain protective factors.

Working in close partnership with schools, families, and local services, the Navigator will play a key role in early intervention and prevention across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The role requires flexibility to meet young people where they are, including evenings and community settings, as well as consistency during school hours for education‑based interventions.

You will work within a wider School and Community Navigator team, to collectively implement an impactful and innovative programme. Your work must be delivered to the highest possible standards, in accordance with the programme aims and objectives and the policies and procedures of the wider charity.

Transport: Car driver essential.

Essential attributes

• 2 years Youth Work Experience (required)
• Youth Work Qualification (preferred)
• Experience working with children and young people (10–17 years)
• Strong understanding of safeguarding and child protection
• Ability to engage vulnerable young people in school and community settings
• Experience delivering 1:1 mentoring or youth work
• Knowledge of violence affecting young people, exploitation and trauma‑informed practice
• Excellent partnership working and communication skills
• Strong organisational skills with accurate record‑keeping and report writing
• Commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion
• Flexible working hours including evenings
• Ability and flexibility to travel across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire

Desirable attributes

• Qualification in youth work, mentoring, or a related field (JNC strongly desired)
• Experience working within schools or educational environments
• Knowledge of local referral pathways in Nottinghamshire
• Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team
• Self‑motivated with a positive attitude
• Acts as a positive role model for young people
• Passionate about making a difference for young people and communities
• Flexible and available to work evenings and weekends
• Strong youth engagement and relationship‑building skills
• Confident in delivering a range of sports and physical activities
• Experience of multi‑agency approaches including safeguarding and strategy meetings