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Job description

THE EMPLOYER IS: NEWSTART EDUCATION CENTRE The Peer Mentor will use their lived experience of education, personal growth, or overcoming life challenges to support and motivate young people at the Newstart Education Centre. The postholder will: -Provide emotional and practical peer support to individuals participating in education, training, and wellbeing programmes. -Help participants build confidence, resilience, and motivation to achieve their personal, educational, and well-being goals.

Responsibilities

• Provide one-on-one and small-group mentoring to learners/participants.
• Build trusting, supportive relationships founded on empathy, mutual respect, and shared experiences.
• Support participants to identify goals, recognise progress, and overcome barriers such as low confidence, anxiety, or social isolation.
• Encourage positive coping strategies and promote personal responsibility.
• Work closely with tutors, support staff, and other project staff to ensure a joined-up, person-centred approach.
• Participate in team meetings, planning and review sessions.
• Maintain clear, accurate records of sessions and agreed actions in line with GDPR and organisational policy.
• Provide updates and monitoring information to support evaluation.
• Attend induction, safeguarding and any other appropriate training.
• Contribute ideas to improve the quality and impact of the peer mentoring service.
• Uphold the values of respect, inclusivity, empowerment, and collaboration, always maintaining professional boundaries and confidentiality.
• Comply with all organisational policies, including safeguarding, equality, and health and safety.
• Represent the ethos of Newstart Education Centre positively in the community.
• Undertake other reasonable duties relevant to the role.

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Lived experience of overcoming personal, social, or educational challenges (such as, but not limited to, social exclusion, academic underachievement, mental health, special/additional educational need).
• Experience of supporting others in a one-to-one or group setting (formal or informal).
• Understanding of the barriers that prevent young people from engaging in education and/or community support.
• Knowledge of the importance of confidentiality and safeguarding.
• Excellent listening and communication skills.
• Empathetic, supportive and able to motivate others.
• Ability to manage time effectively and work independently.
• Commitment to undergo an Enhanced AccessNI check (Newstart Education Centre reserves the right to withhold employment, based on findings of the completed AccessNI reference).
• Commitment to equality, diversity and the ethos of Newstart Education Centre.
• Commitment to fully engaging in regular line management and supervision.

Desirable Skills

• Previous experience of providing peer support, mentoring or community role (paid or voluntary).
• Ability to co-facilitate small group sessions or workshops.
• Basic IT skills (Microsoft Office and Email).
• OCN2 or 3 in Peer Mentoring (or willingness to work towards).

Further Information

The Employer is: NEWSTART EDUCATION CENTRE JobStart Opportunity - Working Hours Information - Standard Hours: up to 25 hours per week. - Flexible/Reduced Hours: May be available upon approval by a Work Coach. - Additional Hours: The employer may offer extra hours depending on availability. This should be discussed directly with the employer before starting employment. The job advert may end before the closing date if requested by the employer.

Application Information

JOBSTART IS OPEN TO WORKING AGE BENEFIT CLAIMANTS WHO ARE DEEMED ELIGIBLE BY A WORK COACH. If you are on Universal Credit, please contact your Work Coach via your Journal. If you are in receipt of any other working age benefit, please contact your local Jobs & Benefits Office on 0800 001 5782.