With our community work spanning more than three decades, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has established itself as a pioneering organisation for the local community. It uses the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all backgrounds.
Working in partnership with Brentford FC, the Trust offers a portfolio of programmes in education, employability, sports participation, health and community engagement.
We have won the ‘Football League Community Club of the Year’ award four times and have cemented our reputation as a community-led Football Club.
Most recently, we joined the European Football for Development Network and aligned our strategy with the UN’s sustainable development goals, which demonstrates our local impact at a global level.
Job Title: Changing Directions Officer (Fixed Term)
Department: Communities Engagement and Education
Reports to: Senior Communities Engagement & Education Managers
Responsible for: Casual/Sessional Workers
Salary: £24,000 - £27,000 per annum
Contract: Fixed Term for 12 months
Closing Date: 14th April 2025
Interviews: 22nd, 23rd and 24th April 2025
Brentford FC Community Sports Trust
With community work spanning three decades, Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has established itself as a pioneering organisation for the local community. It uses the power of sport to educate, motivate and inspire people from all walks of life.
Working in partnership with Brentford FC, the Trust offers a portfolio of programmes in education, health, sports participation and community engagement. The Trust has won the ‘Football League Community Club of the Year’ award four times and now employs more than 100 members of staff.
Inclusion Statement
Brentford FCCST is an organisation which values and is passionate about diversity and inclusivity. We welcome and encourage applications from qualified candidates, including those from underrepresented groups – such as those from ethnically diverse backgrounds, women, those from the LGBTQ+ community and those with disabilities.
Should you require any workplace accommodations (also known as ‘reasonable adjustments), you will have the opportunity to let us know at the appropriate points in the hiring process.
Safeguarding Statement
Brentford FCCST is committed to equality, the safeguarding and welfare of all children and adults at risk. This responsibility is shared by all staff and volunteers at the club, safeguarding is everyone’s responsibility. Staff will be required to undertake regular safeguarding training to enable and reinforce a proactive approach to safeguarding. This role requires the post holder to apply all relevant policies and uphold the club’s commitment to safeguarding vulnerable people to ensure a safe environment for all. This includes the timely reporting of any safeguarding concern to the safeguarding team.
General Trust Accountabilities
* To ensure compliance with all relevant policies, including health and safety and safeguarding policies
* To ensure compliance with all relevant legal, regulatory, ethical and social requirements
* To build and maintain good working relationships both internally and externally, maintaining a professional image at all times when representing Brentford FC Community Sports Trust
* To keep confidential any information gained regarding the Trust and its personnel
* To maintain a flexible approach to work at all times
Main Purpose of Job
We are looking for a personable and committed individual to support the Changing Direction Senior Coordinator in providing a comprehensive project that benefits young people, local schools & businesses, and the wider community in the London borough of Hounslow.
This post will involve youth outreach, targeted mentoring, and collaboration with schools and local businesses. The role entails supporting the team with outreach on three local high streets, conducting school assemblies, running a weekly roadshow, and managing a caseload of mentees. The individual will work with referral partners to identify young people both externally referred and from outreach sessions, schools, and weekly sessions for programme engagement, and will pinpoint suitable progression routes and development opportunities focusing on but not limited to health and wellbeing, life skills, and education and employability.
Mentoring and session delivery will primarily occur in the afternoons/evenings to accommodate young people’s schedules, with some sessions during school/working hours. The role also includes supporting the delivery and development of our Communities Engagement and Education department, encompassing estate-based programmes, holiday camps, and targeted mentoring.
You will be required to collaborate with the Local Authority and Police teams to timetable in outreach delivery and design workshops for retail staff around themes including respect, managing behaviour, and safeguarding.
General Responsibilities
* Develop positive relationships with young people through a variety of youth work styles/methodologies.
* Deliver youth outreach across key high streets in Hounslow, engaging with young people and challenging poor behaviour choices.
* Support local businesses on how to engage with young people, reducing incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour.
* Deliver weekly sessions at facilities near each of the high streets, along with assemblies in local schools and educational workshops.
* Support young people to access internal and external programmes in line with their needs and interests.
* Delivery of a minimum of 3 -4 evenings weekly across Outreach (4 evening as required) sessions and weekly sports sessions and support across other delivery when required.
* Complete monitoring, evaluation and session recordings using internal systems (Salesforce; Views), including monthly update to Senior Managers - Communities Engagement and Education.
* Facilitate and encourage young people to continue to engage further in other programmes (internal/external) and positive pathways.
* Maintain accurate records as appropriate for each project including Risk Assessments, Registers, Session Logs & case studies (highlighting the benefit of the project); tracking progression
* Ensure that all delivery, for which you are responsible, complies with all Brentford FC CST health and safety and safeguarding requirements
* Support with any other projects in line with department funding requirements as directed by Communities Engagement Manager and Education Manager.
1:1 Mentoring Responsibilities
* Liaise with Safeguarding Team to risk assess cases prior to start.
* Ensure that all young people who are referred for mentoring receive an introduction call prior to mentoring starting with designated mentor.
* Meet with the young person and co-design a Personal Development Plan (PDP) based around Goal Based Outcomes.
* Support young people to access internal and external programmes in line with their needs and interests.
* Deliver mental wellbeing support for young people and manage a caseload, providing support at suitable times for the referral either face to face or virtually.
* Develop and promote support for parents/guardians/carers so that they feel more confident in supporting their child/young person with their mental health and wellbeing.
* Attend all scheduled supervision, meetings and training events as directed by Line Manager.
* Maintain accurate records as appropriate for each project including Risk Assessments, Registers, Session Logs & case studies (highlighting the benefit of the project); tracking progression
Safeguarding:
* Participate in training sessions related to safeguarding and emergency response.
* Report any safeguarding concerns promptly to the appropriate authorities or designated personnel.
* Maintain accurate records of incidents, concerns, and actions taken.
* Collaborate with other team members and departments to create a cohesive approach to safeguarding.
* Coordinate with relevant authorities and emergency services as necessary.
* Stay informed about safeguarding policies, procedures, and best practices.
Key Internal Relationships
* Senior Manager – Communities Engagement
* Senior Manager - Education
* Senior Programme Coordinator – Mentoring
* Communities Engagement Coordinator – Targeted Programmes
* Health & Wellbeing Manager
* Coach Mentors
* Zero Hour Delivery Staff
Key External Relationships
* Local Schools/Businesses
* Met Police
* Highstreet Units (Adolescent and Community Workers - London Borough Hounslow)
* Youth Justice Services / NHS Clinicians/professionals
* LB Ealing, Hounslow, Richmond, Hillingdon – Community Outreach & Youth Offending services and all other associated departments
The Selection Criteria
Essential:
* Experience of Youth Work, Coaching or Mentoring
* Safeguarding qualification
* Current DBS certificate (will be provided if successful)
* Emergency First Aid Certificate (will be provided if successful)
* Organised and work with attention to detail
* Empathetic and able to understand the needs of young people with complex backgrounds
* Experience and the ability in building positive relationships easily, especially with young people
* Commitment to working three evenings and additional evenings when required.
* Experience of working with vulnerable, ‘hard to reach’ young people in a supportive role
* An understanding of the current issues and barriers impacting young people
* Ability to relate well with young people 8-19years, from different backgrounds forming strong, positive relationships
* Commitment to diversity, equal opportunities and inclusivity
* Commitment to working three evenings and additional evenings when required.
Desirable:
* Youth Work or Mentoring qualification
* NGB Level 1/2 coaching qualification or equivalent
* Mental Health First Aid Certificate
* Experience of partnership/inter-agency working as part of a team around complex young people
* Experience of working in a school setting
* Experience of working in a pastoral role in a school
* Experience working with Youth Justice Services
* Mental Health Awareness training (can be provided if required)
Personal Qualities:
* Empathetic and able to understand the needs of young people with complex backgrounds
* Builds positive relationships easily, especially with young people
* Provide a safe, inclusive and enjoyable environment supporting goals and aspirations
* Believe all young people can achieve their potential and show a commitment to working with those who face barriers and challenges
* Positive and flexible approach with ability to demonstrate high levels of care, accuracy and confidentiality when required.
* Professional and friendly outlook and attitude.
* Enjoys working in a team environment.
* Ability to work flexible hours as required by the programme.
* Creative, self-motivated and the ability to work on own initiative.
* Willingness to work across departments to achieve shared goals.
Please note that where appropriate for the role, you will be required to complete additional background checks such as Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks and police checks for any time you have lived or worked outside of the UK in the last 10 years. You can find out more about this at https://www.gov.uk/dbs-check-applicant-criminal-record
Please also note that a CV application will not be sufficient. Applications will not be considered where the application form has not been completed in full.
This role is a Regulated Activity role - please complete the Declaration of Offences Form