Next Steps South West Somerset Outreach Officer

A proactive and enthusiastic individual is required to join the Next Steps South West (NSSW) Project.

About the role

This is a unique opportunity to be involved in the delivery of outreach activities to secondary school and Further Education college students through a collaborative project of key stakeholders, comprising universities and Higher Education (HE) colleges in Devon, Cornwall and Somerset. NSSW is part of the national Uni Connect project and is funded by the Office for Students (OfS) to encourage awareness of, and access to, Higher Education for identified individuals from target groups in schools where progression to HE is low.

You will liaise with colleagues across NSSW and build relationships with internal and external stakeholders. This role will have strategic guidance and reporting requirements from the NSSW Somerset County Team Leader and will be based within the Careers & Pathways Team, part of the Education Department at Somerset Council. This will provide exciting opportunities to coordinate and develop NSSW activities with those being undertaken by the Somerset Careers Hub, the Somerset EBP and the Supported Employment team.

This post is based at Broughton House, Blackbrook Park Avenue, Taunton. Flexible working arrangements available, required to work onsite 2 days a week. Although we can accommodate working from home for this role, flexibility to be on-site will be expected due to business needs.

You will:

• Represent NSSW within the partnership working alongside partner teams to ensure collaboration and avoid duplication.
• Be fully conversant with the partner institutions operating processes to enable autonomous working.
• Contribute to the delivery of an effective and flexible outreach service, offering support, training and guidance as appropriate, taking strategic direction from the central NSSW team.

Due to the nature of this role, an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check plus a Children’s Barred List and Adults Barred List check will be required.

There is an essential requirement within this role that you will be required to travel to and work at different University sites and/or other business locations that may not be easily accessible by public transport. Please refer to the job description for further information.

For an informal discussion to find out more about the role then please contact:

Tazmyne Carruthers; by email at tazmyne.carruthers@plymouth.ac.uk

We’re currently unable to sponsor this role under the Skilled Worker visa route. However, we welcome applicants who already have the right to work in the UK, including those on visa routes we can accept (e.g. Graduate visas).

What we’re looking for

• Educational attainment at further education level (or demonstrable equivalent experience)
• Experience working with the target age group or within a higher education or further education environment
• Experience of planning and organising
• Effective verbal and written communication skills including presentational skills
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team

Application Process

Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.

A summary of our comprehensive benefits can be viewed here.

Closing date:  12 midnight, Sunday 1 November 2026

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