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

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. We are an equal opportunities employer. By applying, you consent to your data being processed for recruitment purposes in line with our Privacy Policy.