Learning Support Mentor

JOB DESCRIPTION

Job Title: Learning Support Mentor
Directorate: Learning
Department: Construction
Reporting To: Team Leader

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary: £20,436 per annum actual / £23,519 FTE (pro-rated if part-time)
Superannuation Scheme: Local Government Pension Scheme
Hours: 37 hours per week
Contract: Term-time only (38 weeks per year), Permanent
Location: Cambridge
Annual Leave: Holiday entitlement included within annual salary

Introduction / Background

Our client provides high-quality support to students with a range of learning difficulties and disabilities, including D/deaf students, individuals with Autistic Spectrum Disorders, physical access needs, learning disabilities, visual impairment and language impairment.

Primary Purpose of the Role

To support students with learning difficulties and disabilities to become empowered, enabling them to fully access the curriculum and achieve their programme of study through increased independence.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Work collaboratively with subject lecturers and assessors, under the direction of the Learning Support Manager or their delegate. Support students in a wide variety of learning environments, both in and outside the classroom. This includes reading materials aloud, note-taking, word processing, use of enabling technologies, defining language, and other metacognitive skills.
2. Empower young people to achieve their personalised learning outcomes, including Education, Health and Care Plan outcomes and targets.
3. Adapt class resources to ensure students can access learning materials, e.g., enlarging text or modifying carrier language.
4. Promote independence and empower students to make progress towards their goals, championing learning support and inclusion.
5. Provide support outside formal classroom settings where needed, including breaks, lunch, pre-arranged trips, and off-campus study programme delivery.
6. Maintain accurate records in accordance with support guidelines, including student attendance, target-setting, progression, and daily Pro-monitor notes reflecting support provided.
7. Attend and contribute effectively to team meetings, focusing on continuous improvement of learning support.
8. Support students with therapy interventions (e.g., physiotherapy, speech and language therapy) in line with guidance from relevant professionals.
9. Work directly with young people to review their support needs, following internal processes.
10. Attend statutory annual review meetings with parents and/or external key workers at the invitation of the Learning Support Manager.
11. Undertake relevant training and development as agreed with the Learning Support Manager.
12. Assist colleagues in identifying students’ support needs, for example by:

• Expressing concerns relating to student welfare (e.g., safeguarding concerns)
• Referring students to learner services

1. Undertake any other duties reasonably required, commensurate with the role, at the primary place of work or any other site.

Special Conditions / Working Arrangements

• This post is defined as regulated activity. The postholder must hold an enhanced DBS disclosure deemed acceptable, to be renewed every four years.
• All appointments are subject to satisfactory pre-employment checks, including an Enhanced DBS with Barred List check.
• This job description reflects the role at the current date and may change following consultation to reflect evolving needs.

EMPLOYEE PROFILE – Learning Support Mentor

Qualifications

Essential:

• GCSE English and Maths (Grade C/4 or equivalent)

Desirable / To Be Developed:

• Level 2 Learning Support Qualification (or working towards)
• Dyslexia-related qualifications
• Moving and Handling / Assisting People to Move qualification

Related Experience

Essential:

• Recent, demonstrable experience supporting people with special educational needs

Desirable:

• Experience working with young people and adults across age ranges in FE or similar (education, healthcare, social services)
• Experience with sighted guiding

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Essential:

• High level of sensitivity and empathy
• Ability to motivate
• Computer literacy
• Ability to take notes for students

Desirable:

• Familiarity with digital assistive technology

Paul Feldman is the National Skills Agency Data Protection Officer. Your data will be stored until notice is given by you for it to be removed. Our Data Protection Policy will be forwarded to you on request. As we get a high number of applications we may be unable to give feedback to unsuccessful candidates. We will retain your details to  keep you informed of other opportunities. National Skills Agency Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy and is an Equal Opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all backgrounds.