Future Leaders Progression Coach

ThinkForward exists to empower young people to create better and brighter futures. We want them to be able to identify, realise and shape their aspirations and be ready to make a successful transition into work. Young people experiencing barriers such as challenging relationships, living in low-income households, or growing up in areas with a lack of access to opportunities and can be confronted with hurdles. Without the right support these barriers can lead to high risks of unemployment and long-term effects on career and life chances.

The Future Leaders programme is working with young black men and young black and Asian women in Year 11 that have faced a range of challenges within mainstream school. In London, young black students are more likely to be excluded from school than white British students and young black men experience high unemployment rates. To tackle these issues, Future Leaders will support young black men and young black and Asian women in alternative provisions to make a successful transition into a post-16 destination, overcome the barriers they may face such as a lack of networks, social capital and soft skills, and prepare them to be ready to find a fulfilling career.

Our Progression Coaches are at the heart of the ThinkForward initiative. Coaches provide young people with personalised one-to- one coaching and group activities, as well as exposure to the world of work and cultural enrichment activities. Coaching enables young people to overcome challenges holding them back from achieving their potential and ultimately a safer and more successful pathway into employment and adulthood. Our Progression Coaches project manage the Future Leaders programme within one of our schools and its local community, ensuring that quality and impact is achieved, while also managing successful relationships with our partner schools and businesses.

Contract: 2-Year Fixed Term Contract, Full Time (37.5 hours per week). Start Date: April/May 2024. Location: Hybrid – office, school and community based across west London. ThinkForward offer a range of employee benefits including Pro rata 25 days annual leave, 3 additional days’ leave for office closure days between Christmas and new year, Up to 2 days’ leave for volunteering or 4 half days to support wellbeing, A commitment to personal development, 4.5% employer pension contributions - 1.5% more than the statutory minimum of 3%, Interest free employee loans, Cycle to work scheme, Employee discounts and rewards scheme, Employee Assistance Programme, Flexible bank holidays.

ThinkForward is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and post holders to share this commitment. ThinkForward is committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. As a registered Disability Confident employer, ThinkForward has an accessible recruitment process. We offer interviews to all applicants who meet the job requirements and who declare themselves as having a disability.