Skills and Employability Adviser (YJS Specialist) Fixed term

Job Title: Skills and Employability Adviser

Location: Eastbourne base covering the West of the County

Salary: £26,262 to £31,391 pro rata (depending on skills and experience)

Hours: 29.6 hours

Contract: Part time, 4 days per week (29.6 hours, 0.8 FTE)

Reports to: Youth Employability ServicesArea Manager

CXK empowers people to succeed in employment, education and training. The charity strives for a fairer society where everyone can grow and realise their potential. “The CXK Way” embodies the following core values:

· Ethical – We work with professionalism, honesty and integrity

· Passionate – We reach out enthusiastically to all who need out support

· Innovative – We inspire, enhance and improve

· Collaborative – We engage, support and share with others

You can click here to learn more about us.

The Youth Employability Service

CXK delivers the Youth Employability Service (YES) across East Sussex, commissioned by East Sussex County Council. We offer information, advice, support and guidance to young people in academic years 12 and 13 who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), helping them to explore their options, plan and then take their next steps. We also work with schools supporting young people in year 11 who are at risk of becoming NEET. Liaising with a range of other services, YES is focussed on supporting young people to achieve their potential.

The Team

The YES team support young people from across the county, seeing them at CXK bases, partner venues or in community settings. The team assess and action plan with young people referred to the service, supporting them to understand their options and take steps toward achieving their goals around education, training and /or employment. Working with a wide range of young people, the team approach is focused, creative and persistent, building on young peoples’ confidence and motivation alongside their skills and personal growth.

About the Role

We are seeking a dedicated and compassionate Skills and Employability Adviser.

You will support a caseload of young people aged 16 to 18 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), or at risk of becoming NEET. You will guide them through re-engagement with suitable post-16 provisions and provide targeted intervention to those who have withdrawn from or not started their Post 16 provisions.

Working across the West of East Sussex, you will support young people in our Eastbourne office, community-based venues such as Youth and Family Hubs, and other suitable locations that meet the needs of our cohort. You will also work closely with local schools and Further Education (FE) colleges, playing a key role in ensuring that young people receive tailored information, advice, and guidance to help them progress confidently into further education, training, or employment. Through co-located working and effective partnership collaboration, you will build and maintain positive professional relationships while ensuring the accurate and timely recording of information on relevant databases.

You will maintain regular contact with the young people you support, building trust and ensuring that casework is delivered with care and consistency. Your role will involve assessing needs, action planning, reviewing progress, and adapting support as required. You'll also act as a champion for relevant opportunities and resources—ensuring young people, parents/carers, providers, and wider stakeholders are aware of what’s available and how it can help.

This role also works closely with our local Youth Justice Service, working in partnership to support vulnerable young people with YJS orders, or an offending background. The postholder will be expected to attend YJS team meetings and input updates into relevant databases and systems as required.

About You

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with experience working with NEET, Risk of NEET young people, who understands the post-16 education and training landscape and the importance of person-centred support. You will be a confident communicator and collaborator, able to manage a varied caseload and make a genuine impact on the lives of the young people you support.

Skills and Knowledge

At CXK we are proud to be a disability confident and equal opportunities employer. We actively promote diversity within our workforce and welcome applications from all sections of the community.

Minimum Criteria

· An understanding of the needs, and challenges faced by young people who are not in education, employment or training

· Experience of working with young people on a one-to-one basis, developing personalised plans and goal setting

· Experience of managing a range of tasks at any one time, and holding positive relationships with different stakeholders

Essential Criteria

· A willingness to travel with a full UK drivers’ licence and use of own vehicle

· A L4 qualification in CEIAG or the willingness to work towards the qualification.

· Experience working with young people

· Demonstratable experience of engaging and supporting young people who are NEET or at risk of NEET

· Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with experience liaising effectively with schools, parents/carers, and multi-agency professionals

· Experience of assessing individual needs, develop action plans, and monitor progress

· Skilled in managing a varied caseload and maintaining accurate and confidential records

· Understanding of the post-16 education, training, and employment landscape

· Ability to build trust and maintain regular, consistent contact with young people

· Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as part of a team

· Competent in using IT systems, databases, and digital communication tools

Please click here to view the job description and person specification.

Employee Experience

A career with CXK is deeply rewarding and offers the opportunity to make a lasting difference in the lives of young people. As part of the Youth Employability Service (YES) team, this role gives you the chance to empower and motivate young people to take positive steps into education, employment, or training.

You’ll work independently and proactively, with the flexibility to manage your own diary and plan your week around the needs of your caseload. No two days are the same—you’ll balance 1:1 support, multi-agency collaboration, school visits, and provider engagement. It’s a role that requires initiative, empathy, and a passion for creating opportunities for young people who need it most.

At CXK, we are committed to supporting our staff to grow, thrive, and develop their potential. You’ll be part of a supportive and collaborative team that values inclusion, wellbeing, and continuous learning.

Benefits of working with us

Our employee benefits include:

· 30-33 days holiday, plus bank holidays

· Defined contribution pension scheme (matched by CXK up to 10% depending on length of service criteria)

· Benenden private healthcare cover

· Flexible working

· Enhanced maternity and paternity leave

· Training and development programmes and opportunities

· Mental and physical healthcare initiatives and more

All appointees will be subject to an Enhanced DBS Check.

Recruitment Timeline

Vacancy closing date: Tuesday 18th August 2026

Application review date: Wednesday 19th August 2026

Interview dates from: Tuesday 25th August 2026