SEMH Learning Support Mentor — Post-16 (Wed, 7.5h) in London

Learning Support Assistant

Salary: £17.50 per hour via Umbrella

Employment Type: Part-time, Temporary contract for 14 months, with potential extension up to 18 months

Hours: 7.5 hours per week (Wednesdays, 09:00 - 16:30)

Start Date: ASAP

Are you an empathetic, patient, and highly skilled mentor driven by the belief that every post-16 learner deserves an equitable pathway to independence? We are seeking a specialist Learning Support Mentor to deliver high-quality, targeted social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) interventions for a young person within a specialised training environment. This role is about more than standard classroom assistance; you will act as a key architect of a learner's confidence and stability. Working in a mentoring capacity, you will support a student navigating complex communication, interaction, and anxiety profiles, ensuring they can access their education fully and securely.

Benefits

• Long-Term Contract Security: A 14-month fixed contract with a strong possibility of extending up to 18 months, providing rare stability for a part-time specialist post.
• Stable Part-Time Schedule: A consistent, single-day weekly commitment (Wednesdays) that fits perfectly alongside other professional, clinical, or academic responsibilities.
• Targeted Specialist Impact: Work in a highly focused, one-to-one mentoring capacity where your mental health expertise directly shapes a young person's daily success.
• Collaborative Support: Partner directly with the Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator (SENCo) and curriculum tutors who value and integrate your adjustments.

Responsibilities

• Provide positive reinforcement, praise, and evidence-based emotional support throughout the day, drawing on anxiety management and basic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approaches.
• Help the learner navigate core English, Maths, and theory classes by clarifying tasks and adapting learning materials (such as worksheets, visual prompt cards, and interactive tools).
• Provide accurate progress feedback to the SENCo, write brief reporting updates for annual reviews, and foster strong professional links with carers and external multi-agency professionals.
• Facilitate and encourage smooth, safe social interactions between the learner and their peers during small group work.

Requirements

• A minimum of 2 years of proven experience explicitly supporting Post-16 learners, with deep working knowledge of the Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) framework.
• A proven track record supporting young people with SEMH, communication, and interaction difficulties. Specialized training in profiles like ADHD, Dyslexia, Autism, or complex anxiety is essential.
• An NVQ Level 3 or equivalent standard qualification recognized by the National Occupational Standards for Supporting Teaching and Learning, alongside GCSEs (or equivalent 'O' Levels) in Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above.

Even if you don't meet every single criteria listed, if you are a resilient individual with a genuine passion for supporting students and a willingness to learn, we would still love to hear from you.

We are committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. All appointments are subject to satisfactory vetting, including a right to work check and, where relevant, an enhanced DBS, PVG (Scotland), or EWC (Wales) check, in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

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