Job Description

Job Title: Youth Mentor & Outreach Worker

Location:?LNK Unit, Centrale Shopping Centre, Croydon CR0 1TY, and schools across all London Boroughs (primarily Croydon, Bromley, Sutton, Southwark and Lambeth)
Hours:?35 hours per week -- school term: 9am-5pm; office-based days: 9/10am-5/6pm
Salary:?23,000 - 25,000 per annum (based on experience)
Reports to:?Programme Manager

About Lives Not Knives (LNK)

Lives Not Knives is an award-winning, youth-led charity that works to?engage, educate, and empower?young people aged 9-18 who are at risk of serious youth violence, knife crime, or school exclusion. Our preventative, relationship-based approach supports young people to build positive futures and break the cycle of disadvantage.

Our Programmes

LNK Educate:?School-based workshops and 1:1 mentoring for young people aged 11-15, focusing on the realities and consequences of violence and crime. LNK Engage:?Holiday-based enrichment programmes for young people aged 10-15 on free school meals and referred for additional support. LNK Empower:?Skills-based workshops and events for young people aged 14+, helping them build confidence, soft skills, and access to work experience.
Role Summary

As a?Youth Mentor & Outreach Worker, you will support the delivery of all three programmes by building trusted relationships with young people, providing 1:1 mentoring, leading workshops, and helping deliver engaging, positive activities. You'll play a vital role in helping young people feel heard, valued, and supported -- while contributing to real change across schools and communities.

Key Responsibilities

Mentoring & Outreach

Deliver confident, age-appropriate workshops in schools on topics such as knife crime, wellbeing, and peer pressure. Provide consistent 1:1 mentoring for referred young people in schools and at the LNK Unit. Build strong, supportive relationships that help young people navigate challenges around behaviour, education, and wellbeing. Facilitate drop-in sessions for young people accessing the Empower programme. Support wider programme delivery as needed.
Programme Delivery

Co-design and deliver fun, creative activities during school holidays for LNK Engage. Create engaging educational content and session materials tailored to young people's needs. Participate in planning and debrief meetings with the team.
Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

Keep accurate and timely records of sessions, outcomes, and progress. Collect and input data in line with programme targets and reporting requirements. Contribute to ongoing monitoring and evaluation, ensuring impact is evidenced across all programmes. Submit written updates, feedback, and data to the Programme Manager by set deadlines. Ensure confidentiality and compliance with data protection policies.
Community & Representation

Represent LNK at events, fundraisers, and school/corporate partnerships. Share impact stories and positive outcomes for social media and reports. Support wider community engagement and help build new partnerships.
Person Specification

Essential Skills & Experience

Experience working with young people in a youth work, school, or mentoring setting. Trained in safeguarding and understands its critical importance in frontline work. Enhanced DBS check (must be current or willingness to obtain one through LNK). Strong communication skills and confidence presenting to large groups. Skilled in planning and delivering structured, creative workshops and activities. Proven ability to work to deadlines, manage time, and prioritise tasks. Comfortable using Microsoft Office and digital tools for data collection and reporting. Understanding of the role data and evaluation play in improving programme quality and evidencing outcomes. Passionate about supporting young people to thrive despite adversity.
Desirable

Personal or lived experience of overcoming challenges relevant to the role. Familiarity with trauma-informed and restorative approaches. Experience working in or alongside schools or community organisations.
Attributes & Requirements

Empathetic, approachable, and non-judgemental. A confident, positive communicator able to inspire and motivate others. Professional and committed to safeguarding, confidentiality, and accountability. Willing to work occasional evenings/weekends for events. Willing and able to travel to schools and community settings across the borough.
How to Apply

To apply, please send your CV and a brief covering statement explaining your interest in the role and how you meet the criteria to [insert contact details]. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: 23,000.00-25,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Casual dress Company events
Schedule:

Monday to Friday No weekends
Experience:

Youth Work: 1 year (preferred)
Licence/Certification:

Enhanced DBS (required)
Work Location: In person