Freelance Programme Facilitator

Delivering online via Zoom. We would prefer this role to be based at our Southampton office; a split between office-based days and freelance delivery from home can be considered for the right candidate.

You will co-facilitate our online courses and Pathways workshops, helping participants recognise their strengths, work through the thinking that keeps them stuck and plan realistic next steps. You will assess new applicants at the Pre-Course Chat, hold short weekly coaching one-to-ones, keep accurate records and play your part in keeping participants safe.

Key results

• Courses and Pathways workshops are delivered consistently and to a high standard, in line with the Facilitator Handbook and current slides.
• The people who start each course are ready and suitable for it, because Pre-Course Chat assessments are carried out consistently.
• Participants attend, stay engaged, complete the course and move on to Pathways.
• Psychological measures, attendance and participant records are complete and accurate, so we can show the difference the programme makes.
• Safeguarding concerns are recognised, recorded and reported promptly, and managed appropriately.
• Volunteers are well briefed and supported.

Key responsibilities

Before the course

• Carry out Pre-Course Chats by video on Microsoft Teams, following our Enrolment to Course procedure and traffic light decision framework, and submit the outcome the same day.
• Help participants get set up on Zoom and resolve any IT barriers before the course begins, coordinating with the office team as needed.
• Prepare for each session by reading the Facilitator Handbook guidance and the current slides and presenter notes, and checking videos and links.

Delivering the course and Pathways

• Co-facilitate the 25 course sessions online, using the approved content, and flag any differences between the handbook and the slides.
• Facilitate the 12 Pathways workshops online, using the approved content. Pathways sessions are not co-facilitated.
• Create a warm, safe and structured group where everyone can take part, and uphold the cameras-on requirement.
• Adapt delivery to different needs, including neurodiversity, using the accessibility guidance for each session.
• Make sure participants complete the psychological measures (including the Blob Tree and CARS Compass) at the start and end of the course.
• Gather participant feedback during group sessions and through one-to-one meetings, and use it to improve delivery.

Coaching one-to-ones

• Hold a short weekly coaching one-to-one with each participant, using the set questions to help them relate the week’s sessions to their own situation.
• Keep coaching within its purpose. It is a check-in on course learning, not therapy, counselling or advice. When someone needs more, signpost them to the right specialist service.

Safeguarding

• Follow the Safeguarding Policy and Safeguarding Policy in Practice, including online safety.
• Recognise, record and report any safeguarding concern or disclosure to the Safeguarding Lead promptly, so it can be managed appropriately.
• Complete safeguarding training when you join and at least twice a year.

Records and administration

• Complete the administration for each course day, including attendance, cameras-on compliance, contact to encourage attendance, one-to-one logs and participant files.
• Keep referrers informed about non-starters and drop-outs, following the agreed process.
• Gather the raw data needed for the Storytelling Agent process for every participant by Day 10, and complete the storytelling process by the end of the following week.
• Keep participant information confidential and secure, in line with our data protection policy.
• Contribute to end-of-course reporting, including the Wins and Challenges Course Report.

Next steps and follow-up

• Encourage participants to join Pathways and support them to keep attending.
• Help participants identify their next steps, and signpost them to education, training, employment and volunteering opportunities provided by other organisations.
• Support the collection of participant outcomes at appropriate follow-up milestones.

Working with the team

• Work closely with your co-facilitator, the Team Leader and the office team.
• Brief, support and mentor the volunteers who help deliver the course.
• Take part in supervision, training and team meetings, and help keep the handbook and course materials up to date.

Experience

Delivering group sessions, training or workshops to adults and young people E

Supporting people who face barriers to education, employment or training (EET) D

Supporting people who experience anxiety, low confidence or other mental health difficulties E

Facilitating groups online, for example on Zoom, and keeping participants engaged on camera E

Holding structured one-to-one conversations, such as coaching, mentoring or assessment E

Working with young people aged 16 to 25 D

Supporting or supervising volunteers D

Knowledge

Understanding of, or willingness to learn, the CBT-informed approach the programme uses, including how thoughts, feelings and behaviour are linked E

Understanding of safeguarding for young people and adults at risk, and of when and how to escalate a concern E

Understanding of the barriers people face, including mental and physical health, neurodiversity and isolation E

Knowledge of local services in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight for signposting, including mental health, education, training and employment support D

Skills and abilities

A warm, clear communicator who builds trust quickly and puts nervous participants at ease E

Able to manage group dynamics: encouraging quieter members, keeping discussion on track and responding calmly when someone becomes distressed E

Able to hold clear professional boundaries, keeping coaching focused on course learning and signposting when support beyond the role is needed E

Able to make consistent, evidence-based judgements when assessing whether someone is ready for the course E

Accurate record keeping, and able to meet same-day deadlines E

Confident using Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Microsoft 365 (including SharePoint) and online forms E

Able to organise their own workload and work well with a co-facilitator E

Qualifications and training

A teaching or training qualification, such as the Level 3 Award in Education and Training, Cert Ed or PGCE, or equivalent experience D

A coaching, mentoring or mental health qualification, such as Mental Health First Aid D

Personal qualities

Shares our values of Authenticity, Belief in people and Commitment to excellence E

Believes that people can change, and is patient when progress is slow E

Reflective and open to feedback E

Lived experience of mental health difficulties, or of overcoming barriers to education, employment or training, and the ability to draw on it appropriately D

Other requirements

A satisfactory Enhanced DBS check and two satisfactory references E

A private, quiet space and a reliable internet connection for online delivery E

Available on course delivery days (two days a week during courses) and for weekly Pathways workshops E

Local to Southampton and able to be office-based when required D

Other information

This role involves working with young people and adults at risk. The appointment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced DBS check, with a barred list check where the role includes regulated activity, and two satisfactory references. Everyone who works with our participants completes safeguarding training when they join and at least twice a year.

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including people with lived experience of mental health difficulties.

Pay: £140.00 per day

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Southampton SO14 3LP