About our work

CIO Support Through Sport, based in Nottingham, provides sport-based intervention, mentoring and youth work programs to thousands of disadvantaged young people, enabling them to develop pro-social behaviors and providing a lasting positive impact within deprived communities.

The organization works on a theory of change that ultimately provides at-risk youth with protective factors, diverting them away from negative influences such as youth crime, ASB, violence, gang culture, and knife crime. Through an innovative, youth-led approach, the Support Through Sport program harnesses the power of sport to empower disadvantaged youth and create safer communities, where young people can thrive.

We are passionate about implementing real change within underserved and disadvantaged communities, providing young people with the support, guidance and opportunities that enable every young person to achieve their full potential.

Role overview

Support through Sport The CIO is looking for a motivated and highly organized individual to deliver our innovative program to schools and the community across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The Senior School and Community Navigator will lead a team of three navigators across four schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. The role combines direct support to children and young people aged 10-17 with leadership and coordination responsibilities, ensuring delivery is of the highest standard and aligned with Support through Sport policies and project specifications.

Working closely with schools, families and local agencies, the Senior Navigator will provide supervision and guidance to staff, build and maintain strong stakeholder relationships, and ensure effective safeguarding, monitoring and reporting systems are in place. You will work with young people aged 10-17 years in community settings, building trusting relationships and providing early intervention to reduce risk factors associated with crime, violence and exploitation.

The role combines youth work, mentoring and community engagement, supporting young people to confront challenges such as disconnection from education, drug use, poverty, discrimination and school exclusion. You will act as an advocate for young people, bridging gaps with the wider community while promoting respect, empowerment and positive life choices while working using a collaborative, child-centred approach.

At Support Through Sport, we use a range of creative approaches, including sport as a tool for transformation, to build brighter futures and create safer communities. Flexibility is essential, as sessions can be held during evenings and weekends, in addition to typical school hours. You will be required to work within the complex support system that often surrounds young people at risk, to ensure a multi-agency approach is taken to achieve the best possible outcomes for children and young people.

You will be supported to meet training standards and standards, including:

Basic training

Health and safety

Neurodiversity

Electronic data interchange and cultural competence

Effective communication

Flexibility in youth work

Level 3 LA protection

General Data Protection Regulation and data protection

First aid at work

DBS enhancement

Full induction

Enhanced training

Contextual protection

Operational skills

Domestic violence and sexual assault

Health and wellness

Basic information

Position: Senior Targeted Practitioner – School and Community Navigators

Reporting to: Regional Director, East Midlands

Working hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Full time, 6 months probationary period

Salary: £28,000 – £29,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience

Location: Nottingham, Nottinghamshire (Nottingham office)

Transportation: Basic car driver

Basic features include:

Experience working with children and young people (10-17 years) in schools and the community

Strong understanding of child safeguarding and safeguarding, with experience of responding to escalated concerns

Proven experience supervising or leading staff or volunteers in a youth work, education, or community setting

Ability to build and maintain excellent relationships with schools, families and stakeholders

Strong knowledge of violence affecting youth, exploitation and early intervention methods

Experience of multi-agency working and attending safeguarding and strategy meetings

Ability to use case management systems and produce accurate reports and data

Excellent organisational, communication and interpersonal skills

Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in practice and leadership

Flexible working hours including evenings and school holidays

Full UK driving license and ability to travel across Nottinghamshire

Desirable features include:

Qualification in youth work, education or related field (JNC highly sought after)

Experience in staff training, training or professional development

Knowledge of local referral pathways and support services across Nottinghamshire

Experience working within schools or multi-school programs

Training in conflict resolution, mental health first aid, or trauma-informed practice

Ability to work well both independently and as part of a team

Self-motivated with a positive attitude

Passionate about making a difference in the community

Strong youth engagement and relationship building skills

Confident in offering a range of sporting and physical activities

Roles and responsibilities

• Provide leadership, supervision and daily support to a team of school and community navigators, ensuring high quality delivery in all schools and community settings.
• Support training, professional development and reflective practice for staff, encouraging continuous learning and consistency of approach.
• Providing services to the highest standards, in line with specifications and funder requirements and supported by sports policies and values.
• Lead delivery across four schools and select community centres, building and maintaining strong working relationships with senior leaders, pastoral staff, mission teams and wider support services.
• Develop and maintain effective multi-agency partnerships with schools, legal services and community organizations to ensure the provision of shared supports and support pathways.
• Attend and contribute to regular meetings with schools, community stakeholders and safeguarding partners who represent support through sport professionally.
• Liaise with relevant agencies and take appropriate and timely action to protect children and young people, ensuring protection remains at the heart of all practice.
• Ensure staff follow safeguarding policies and procedures, provide supervision, guidance and follow-up where appropriate, and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Support risk assessments and contextual safeguarding discussions and contribute to case management at multi-agency meetings.
• Oversee planning, coordination and provision of mentoring and outreach support within both the school and the community, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness to local needs.
• Effectively monitor and record results using Upshot, case notes and evaluations to demonstrate impact and progress.
• Providing accurate data, case studies and impact reports to funders, stakeholders and internal learning, contributing to continuous improvement.
• Providing targeted 1:1 mentoring, small group sessions, outreach to children and young people, supporting engagement, wellbeing and positive life choices.
• Encouraging participation in education, training and community opportunities, and advocating for paths to positive progress.
• Act as an advocate for young people, ensuring that their voices influence program design and implementation, and that they feel heard, valued and respected.
• We champion equality, diversity and inclusion in delivery, ensuring support is tailored to meet the individual needs of all young people.

Benefits include:

• Working alongside a highly motivated team
• An enhanced DBS check is provided
• More development opportunities
• Feeling good
• Ongoing personal support
• Team incentives are great
• Positive work environment
• Career advancement opportunities
• Competitive salary plus expenses
• No micromanagement
• Offers training and continuing professional development

Note

Please note that in order to apply for this role, all candidates must have the right to work in the UK, undergo an enhanced DBS check and provide two professional references. If it is not completed in a timely manner, your application may be disqualified.

We look forward to receiving your application and hearing how you can support us to build a brighter future for young people in Nottinghamshire!