Self Employment Coach

Job Title: Self-Employment Coach

Reporting To: Self-Employment Manager

Salary: £30,900 pro rata (£18,540 actual)

Hours: 21 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

Location: Currently one day in the office in Kings Cross N1 9LG

- working actively in the community for the rest of the week

DBS: This post is subject to an enhanced criminal record check under the arrangements established by the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Context of Job

AFK is a national charity creating opportunities for children and young people who are disabled or neurodivergent, to increase their independence, reach their individual potential and remove the barriers they face.

The Self‑Employment Programme is a growing initiative designed to help 18–25‑year‑olds transform their passions, skills and talents into real income‑generating opportunities. Through coaching, group delivery, mentoring, and practical business development activities, the programme provides accessible, person‑centred support to young people who want to pursue self‑employment as part of their pathway to independence.

The Self‑Employment Coach plays a key role in delivering high‑quality, empowering support to young people, working alongside the Self‑Employment Programme Manager to co‑design, deliver and evaluate a dynamic, inclusive and impactful programme.

Overall Job Purpose

To provide structured, person‑centred coaching to young people exploring or preparing for self‑employment. This includes delivering 1‑2‑1 and group sessions, supporting beneficiaries to develop viable business ideas, and helping them access tools, resources and opportunities needed to succeed. The role also contributes to the programme’s administrative, monitoring, partnership and outreach activities.

Working Conditions

The post is 21 hours per week, typically worked between 9:00am and 5:00pm. Contracted working days will be agreed with the Self‑Employment Programme Manager; however, Tuesdays are a mandatory working day. The post holder may occasionally be required to work evenings or weekends depending on programme needs.

The role includes 16.5 days of annual leave, in addition to public holidays.
AFK operates a TOIL (Time Off in Lieu) policy.

Working Relationships

The Self‑Employment Coach will work closely with young people, their families, education professionals, and colleagues across AFK to deliver tailored coaching and support.

The post holder will report regularly to the Self‑Employment Programme Manager and work alongside the Executive Director of Services as required, while actively engaging with external partners to ensure positive and sustainable outcomes for young people.

Principal Responsibilities

Coaching & Programme Delivery

• Deliver 1‑2‑1 coaching, small‑group sessions and workshop activities to support young people’s business development, confidence and skills.
• Work with young people to identify their aspirations, needs and goals, and translate them into practical action plans.
• Support trainees to develop essential components of their business ideas (e.g., value proposition, customer identification, pricing).
• Help young people understand the financial aspects of self‑employment, including budgeting, basic feasibility and potential benefits implications (with support from the Manager where specialist knowledge is required).
• Co‑facilitate specialist sessions with mentors, guest speakers or external partners.

Research & Business Development Support

• Research and suggest suitable platforms, markets and selling opportunities for trainees’ products or services (online and physical).
• Support trainees to understand and test their business ideas, including conducting simple market research and exploring feasibility.

Programme Co‑ordination & Administration

• Maintain accurate records, including session notes, trainee progress, KPIs and monitoring data.
• Contribute to evaluation processes, including collecting feedback, tracking impact and supporting continuous programme improvement.
• Support with scheduling, communication and preparation of delivery materials.
• Assist in maintaining a positive, accessible and inclusive programme environment.

Outreach & Partnerships

• Support delivery of outreach sessions in schools, colleges and community settings, promoting AFK’s offer.
• Develop positive working relationships with external partners, mentors and community organisations to enhance opportunities for trainees.
• Contribute to collaborative work across AFK departments, ensuring consistent communication and alignment with organisational objectives.

General Organisational Responsibilities

• Uphold AFK’s commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.
• Engage in learning and development opportunities, and participate in supervision and appraisal.
• Carry out any other responsibilities reasonably associated with the role.