Job Description

Student Mentor
Salary: £26,006.84 per annum
Location: You’ll be mainly based in Glasgow City, though there may be times when you’re needed to support students across the City and Clyde area.
Contract/Hours: Fixed term contract until June 2027 (with possibility of extension) / Full Time – 37 hours per week

Closing date for applications is midnight of 28th May and interviews are scheduled to take place on 2nd June

Benefits:

• Over 7 weeks inclusive paid leave and the option to buy or sell leave
• Excellent training and the opportunity to undertake professional training for some roles
• Flexible maternity, paternity and adoption packages
• Up to 5% employer contribution and life assurance cover
• Blue Light Card eligibility with discounts at 15,000 national retailers

At Action for Children, we offer more than just a job. Join us and you’ll be part of a team dedicated to giving children safe and happy childhoods. See how your skills can make a real difference, helping solve the problems children and young people face every day.

A bit about the role

As a Student Mentor, you’ll play a crucial role in supporting young people who are finding college challenging. You’ll be part of a dynamic, committed team working to help students stay engaged, build confidence, and succeed in their studies.

This role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact by guiding young people through difficulties, helping them navigate college expectations, and supporting them to achieve their goals. It is an incredibly rewarding opportunity—ideal if you’ve recently gained a relevant qualification and are looking to start a career in social care, or if you already have experience working with young people who face barriers in their lives.

About the Service

Our STAY mentoring service provides intensive support to young people enrolled at college who are at the greatest risk of withdrawal. The service focuses on 16–26 year olds who may be struggling to cope with college life and structures or who face barriers that prevent them from reaching their potential.

The team works both on and off campus, empowering young people to adapt to college life and build pathways to success. By offering consistent, relational support throughout their time in further education, the service helps students overcome obstacles, nurture their potential, and move toward a brighter future.

What you do could make a difference

Some key responsibilities of the Student Mentor role are;

• Offering supportive guidance to students both on campus and out in the community, helping them feel grounded and connected.
• Supporting young people as they navigate key areas of their lives, such as housing, confidence, motivation, family or community challenges — and providing gentle advocacy when they need their voice heard.
• Helping students build practical budgeting skills and strengthen their financial confidence.
• Providing steady, tailored support to care experienced young people, young carers and estranged students so they can stay engaged and succeed in their courses.
• Delivering friendly, informative workshops for college staff and students that respond to their needs and experiences.
• Co creating a programme of cross campus events that inspire development, encourage progression, and work with colleagues to boost students’ employability and future opportunities.

Let’s talk about you

• An SVQ 3 in Social Care, Guidance or a related area would be helpful — but we genuinely welcome strong, relevant experience just as much as formal qualifications.
• Experience supporting vulnerable young people, both one to one and in group settings, and helping them feel heard and understood.
• A good understanding of the challenges young people face — including the impact of unemployment and other barriers that can affect their confidence and progress.
• Experience working within the recruitment or employment sector, with insight into how to help young people move toward positive destinations.
• Knowledge of the issues faced by young people who are unemployed, and an awareness of how to support them to build motivation and move forward.

Why Action for Children?

Every child should have a loving home, food, warmth, the chance to grow and learn - the support to cope with life’s challenges. But too many children don’t. By bringing your passion and unique skills and experience, you’ll help us change that where it really matters.

We've been driven by love to take action for children for over 150 years, giving them the protection and practical help they need. A lot’s changed since 1869. But what children really need, hasn’t. So as long as children need us, we’ll be here.

Will you join us?

Contact: Please submit an application via our careers page. If you have any further questions, you can contact Laura McCarthy at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13134

Diversity, equality and inclusion

We work hard to create an inclusive environment. One where individuality is celebrated and where everyone feels valued and supported. Because when we come together, with skills like yours, we’re capable of amazing things.

We actively encourage applications from people with Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds and people with a disability, as these groups are under-represented within Action for Children.

Want to get to know Action for Children better?

Action for Children Employee Benefits

AfC Commitment Statement

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