Youth Engagement & Inclusion Specialist (Construction)

Hopwood Hall; Middleton; On-site; GBP 31,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Hopwood Hall is recruiting for a Youth Engagement and Inclusion Worker (Term Time Only + 4 weeks) in Middleton. The role focuses on day-to-day youth work, safeguarding oversight and informal learning support to NEET learners within a construction-based re-engagement programme.

You will work closely with a construction tutor to build relationships, monitor attendance and readiness for progression. Salary is £31,150 per year (pro rata £32,818).

Qualifications

• Experience of working with vulnerable or disengaged young people aged 14–25.
• Strong youth work, mentoring or engagement background.
• Ability to build trust quickly with young people with complex needs.
• Calm, resilient and reflective approach to behaviour and emotional regulation.
• Confidence working in informal, practical and non classroom environments.
• Good communication, recording and partnership working skills.

Responsibilities

• Build strong, trusting relationships with learners through daily contact and consistent presence
• Act as a key trusted adult for learners across all stages of the programme
• Support re engagement, motivation and confidence building for young people with complex barriers
• Use trauma informed, restorative approaches to manage behaviour and emotional regulation
• Support learners through anxiety, low mood and moments of disengagement
• Promote positive routines, punctuality and readiness for learning
• Act as a safeguarding practitioner within the programme and identify concerns at an early stage
• Record, report and escape safeguarding concerns in line with organisational policies
• Liaise with safeguarding leads, Positive Steps and external agencies as required
• Carry out daily informal welfare checks and support a safe, calm learning environment
• Support learners to access mental health, wellbeing or specialist support services
• Maintain accurate safeguarding and wellbeing records
• Provide informal learning support during construction sessions, working alongside the tutor
• Help learners understand instructions, break tasks into manageable steps and remain on task
• Support learners with additional needs to access practical activities safely and confidently
• Encourage development of communication, teamwork and confidence through activity
• Support applied English, maths or digital tasks in context where required
• Promote inclusive practice and reasonable adjustments
• Monitor daily attendance and punctuality
• Follow up non attendance on the same day where learners do not arrive
• Support learners to build routines gradually, particularly at early engagement stages
• Contribute to individual support plans where engagement or behaviour becomes a concern
• Maintain clear and accurate records of engagement and progress
• Work collaboratively with Positive Steps staff to support careers engagement and decision making
• Encourage learner participation in progression activities such as tasters, interviews and visits
• Support learners with preparation for college interviews, apprenticeships or employment
• Maintain appropriate contact with learners during the transition and taper phase post exit
• Help reduce drop off during the first weeks of a new placement
• Work closely with the construction tutor to plan supportive and inclusive delivery
• Contribute to case discussions, reviews and programme evaluation
• Support a calm, respectful and positive learning culture
• Follow organisational safeguarding, health and safety and data protection procedures

Skills

Youth work

Mentoring

Engagement

Trauma-informed practice

Education

Recognised youth work qualification or equivalent professional experience

Mental health first aid or wellbeing training

Tools

Microsoft Word

Job description

Hopwood Hall is recruiting for a Youth Engagement and Inclusion Worker (Term Time Only + 4 weeks) in Middleton. The role focuses on day-to-day youth work, safeguarding oversight and informal learning support to NEET learners within a construction-based re-engagement programme.

You will work closely with a construction tutor to build relationships, monitor attendance and readiness for progression. Salary is £31,150 per year (pro rata £32,818).