At a Glance
- Tasks: Support students facing challenges to help them thrive academically and personally.
- Company: Join Derby College Group's dedicated Student Experience and Pastoral Support team.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, discounts, and continuous development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace committed to diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in young people's lives while building your mentoring skills.
- Qualifications: Experience with young people and strong communication skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 31500 - 38500 £ per year.
Derby College Group (DCG) are recruiting a Student Engagement Mentor to join our dedicated Student Experience and Pastoral Support team, based at our Roundhouse Campus.
The Opportunity
This role offers a unique opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of young people who face social, emotional and behavioural challenges that can affect their learning. By providing tailored support and guidance, mentors will help students overcome barriers that hinder academic progress, re-engage positively with their education and build resilience for the future. Working with individuals from a wide range of backgrounds, mentors will focus on raising aspirations, promoting positive learning behaviours and supporting students to develop essential skills for both education and personal growth. Through one-to-one mentoring, targeted interventions and consistent, calm support, this role empowers students to build confidence, strengthen relationships and develop strategies to successfully navigate challenging situations. As a visible, approachable and authoritative presence around the college, mentors will contribute to a safe and supportive learning environment. They will use effective behaviour management strategies, model calm de-escalation and help students reflect, repair and return to learning following incidents or moments of heightened emotion.
About you
You will be confident, resilient and motivated by making a difference — even on the most challenging days. Skilled at working with young people who require high levels of structure, consistency and encouragement, you will bring strong behaviour management skills and the ability to remain calm, assertive and solution-focused under pressure. You’ll be highly capable of communicating effectively with a wide range of people and possess excellent interpersonal skills. You should feel comfortable working proactively and reactively, balancing positive relationship building with firm, consistent boundaries and clear expectations. Experience of supporting young people with complex social, emotional or behavioural needs is beneficial, as is knowledge of restorative practice, trauma-informed approaches or positive behaviour strategies. You will have experience responding to behavioural incidents, following safeguarding procedures and working within defined behaviour policies. We welcome reflective practitioners who are keen to learn from experience, adapt the approach and work collaboratively with staff to support a calm, safe college environment.
The Benefits
- Membership of the Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.9% employer contribution
- Discount at our Ofsted rated ‘Outstanding’ onsite Little Explorers Nursery
- TOTUM discount card (aka NUS/Student Discount Card) / discounted Tastecard
- Discounts on East Midlands Railway Annual Season Tickets
- Microsoft Office for FREE with 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage
- Discount on treatments at SENSI our onsite salon at the Roundhouse
- Flint Bishop Solicitors – free will writing, 1-hour free consultation with family department, 10% discount on Conveyancing services
- Continuous development and progression opportunities
Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace which promotes and values diversity. We welcome all talent irrespective of age, disability, neuro-divergence, sex, gender identity and gender expression, race, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexual orientation or other personal circumstances. We ensure that our policies and procedures treat all applicants consistently and fairly during our recruitment process. DCG is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and all successful applicants will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. An online search of the preferred candidate is completed to help to identify any incidents or issues that have happened, and are publicly available online, which the college may need to explore with the candidate further. Please be advised that it is an offence to apply for this position if you are barred from engaging in regulated activity relevant to children. Please note that unfortunately, this role is ineligible for sponsorship under the UK Visas & Immigration points-based immigration system. Applications are welcome from candidates who do not currently have the right to work in the UK but would be eligible to obtain a valid visa via another route. Please consult the Home Office website for further information.
Recruitment Agencies
We have a PSL of trusted partners to assist us when required and do not acknowledge any speculative CVs or unsolicited candidate introductions from agencies not on this list.
Student Engagement Mentor employer: Derby College
Derby College Group (DCG) is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and development of its staff while making a significant impact on the lives of students. Located at the Roundhouse Campus, DCG fosters a collaborative and inclusive work culture, offering continuous professional development opportunities, generous benefits such as a robust pension scheme, and discounts on various services. By joining our dedicated team, you will not only contribute to a supportive learning environment but also grow personally and professionally in a role that truly makes a difference.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Student Engagement Mentor
✨Dive into Local Community Groups
Social work thrives on community connections, so get involved in local groups or forums specific to your interests. Whether it’s volunteering at local shelters or joining community action boards, these are great ways to boost your visibility and make direct contacts that could lead to opportunities like the one at Derby College.
✨Attend Social Work Events and Workshops
Keep an eye out for workshops, seminars, or conferences in social work. These events are fantastic for meeting professionals in the field, learning about emerging trends, and spotting job openings. Plus, you might just bump into someone from Derby College!
✨Showcase Your Passion and Expertise
Use platforms like Instagram or LinkedIn to share your journey and insights into the social work sector. Whether it’s writing about your experiences or sharing relevant articles, this helps to establish you as an engaged professional. Potential employers, like Derby College, will notice your enthusiasm!
✨Leverage Your Network
Don’t hesitate to reach out to professors, mentors, or even past colleagues who are in social work. They might have inside knowledge about openings at Derby College or be able to connect you with someone who’s hiring. Networking is key, especially in a full-time role where relationships matter.
We think you need these skills to ace Student Engagement Mentor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Social Work:In your cover letter, let us see your passion for social work shine through! Talk about the experiences that made you want to pursue this career—whether it’s volunteering, personal experiences, or academic projects. We want to know why this field matters to you.
Emphasise Relevant Qualifications:Make sure your CV highlights any relevant qualifications, like degrees in social work or certifications like a DBS check. If you've done any workshops or training, don’t forget to include those as well. We're keen to see your commitment to your professional development!
Detail Your Experience with Clients:Since this is a hands-on field, detailing any direct experience you have with clients is crucial. Whether it's internships, volunteer roles, or previous jobs, highlight those experiences in your CV to show us you've got the practical skills necessary for the job!
Tailor Your Application to Derby College:Before hitting send, make sure to tailor your application specifically to Derby College! Research our mission and values, and refer to them in your cover letter. This shows us that you understand our work and are genuinely interested in being a part of our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Derby College
✨Understanding the Role of Empathy
In social work, understanding and demonstrating empathy is key. Be prepared to share personal experiences or scenarios where you effectively showed compassion and support. This helps show that you genuinely care about the well-being of others, which is crucial in social work.
✨Demonstrating Knowledge of Frameworks
Familiarise yourself with the frameworks and models used in social work, such as the Strengths-Based Approach or the Ecological Perspective. Be ready to discuss how these frameworks apply to your work, especially if you can tie them into real-world examples or case studies you've encountered.
✨Showcasing Your Multi-Disciplinary Skills
In a full-time social work role, you'll often collaborate with healthcare professionals, educators, and law enforcement. Be prepared to describe your teamwork experiences and how you've effectively communicated with other disciplines to achieve the best outcomes for clients.
✨Preparing for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that put you in hypothetical social work situations, such as dealing with a crisis or managing a complex case. Think through your thought process for these scenarios beforehand, considering how you'd assess the situation and what steps you'd take, as this demonstrates your critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
