Youth Engagement Specialist

1Up Collective is a not-for-profit organisation focused on transforming special educational needs provision through a multidisciplinary approach. They aim to provide bespoke interventions that empower young people facing barriers to education. Currently, they are seeking Youth Engagement Specialists for various roles in the Basildon and South Essex areas, offering flexible, self-employed contracts or permanent positions. Candidates should have experience working with young people and be prepared to engage creatively with those who are hard to reach. A driving licence and vehicle are essential for community work. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis.

Transforming SEND Education Through Collective Impact 1Up Collective is redefining what’s possible in special educational needs provision.

As demand for SEND support continues to outstrip supply, we’re quietly demonstrating a different approach. Our multidisciplinary collective—spanning education, psychology, youth work, creative industries and sport—delivers bespoke, holistic interventions that unlock potential.

Our collective model means something different for how we work. You’ll have genuine autonomy in your practice, collaborate as part of a multi-skilled team, and help shape the future direction of the organisation through a flat and democratic approach.

We’re scaling differently. Rather than rapid expansion that compromises quality, we’re building sustainable change ensuring we are able to serve the communities we are based in deep into the future.

If this sounds like something you want to be part of, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

Role Description: Youth Engagement Specialist

Location: Basildon,  Southend & South Essex area.

Start Date: September 2025.

Contract Type: Part time / Full time self-employed (£140-£175 day rate). A permanent, salaried, PAYE position can be considered for the right candidate. 

Salary: £28,000- £40,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience.

Background to 1Up and the Role

1Up Collective CIC is a not for profit Community Interest Company that supports young people to identify and reach their potential through education & social inclusion.

Beginning in East London in 2015, 1Up has grown rapidly in Essex in recent years and now delivers a range of opportunities for young people through its education provision and youth violence / youth crime reduction projects and programmes including;

• A formal post 16 education offer that includes functional skills, vocational courses, personal development and therapy for students with SEMH, SEND, EHCP in South Essex.
• Alternative education provision for mainstream schools, Pupil Referral Units and local authorities
• Mentoring & sports activities for young people known to the Youth Offending Service and social care
• An evening youth / sport / music provision that focuses on youth violence and youth crime prevention

1Up is currently recruiting experienced individuals, with a wide ranging skill set to deliver services across our projects and programmes. The candidates must have experience of working with young people who face barriers to education and reaching their potential. We welcome applicants from the voluntary, youth, education, psychology, sport and arts sectors, including individuals with lived experience. 

The Youth Engagement Specialists will be tasked with delivering a range of activities for young people. The candidates will be required to work in the community and our new facility in Basildon (due to open Autumn 2025), our centre in Southend and the surrounding communities. Staff are encouraged to have an entrepreneurial mindset and will be supported to develop and lead new provision in areas of their specific interest and skill if desired.

Due extensive work in the community a driving licence and use of a car will be required.

Role Description:

• To be able work creatively and to engage young people who are “hard to reach”
• To build relationships of trust and respect with young people that do not engage with other professionals or services
• To be able to support young people to set, work towards and achieve their life, education and career goals
• 1to1 mentoring / coaching
• Supporting young people to access a wide variety of small group and 1to1 enrichment sessions
• Both leading and supporting other staff in the delivery of 1Up education programme activities
• Parental engagement
• Working internally and with partners and as part of a multi-disciplinary team to support young people and their families
• Collecting all monitoring and evaluation information and ensuring all records are kept up to date as required
• Adherence to the policies, procedures and working procedures of 1Up & partner organisations at all times

Person Specification:

• To be resilient, flexible, autonomous, self-managing and outcome focused – Essential 
• Experience working with or in partnership with schools, local authorities and other key partners – Desirable
• An understanding of the needs of targeted young people and ability to use effective strategies to help them reach their potential  – Essential
• Ability to work independently off own initiative, but also within a multi-disciplinary staff team to support young people – Essential
• Educated to degree level – Desirable
• Extensive delivery experience, including 1to1 and group work programmes for young people – Desirable 
• Experience in designing, delivering & managing projects and programmes   – Desirable
• Ability to undertake  administration, monitoring & evaluation activities and achieve key performance indicators set – Essential
• A clear understanding of Safeguarding, Child Protection and Health & Safety protocols and the ability to demonstrate how this is embedded in their working practice – Essential
• An understanding of how sport and the arts can be used to engage and develop young people – Desirable 
• Willingness to undertake additional training as required – Essential
• A driving licence and use of own vehicle – Essential

To apply for this role please use the ‘Apply now’ button to send your CV and covering letter (maximum x 2 pages). Please note, we will be reviewing and shortlisting applications as they are received.